Smoking Also: Smoking andWound Healing

This booklet is not intended as asubstitute for professional medical care.

PCS.5.1.15-F (7/2001)

Increases the heart rate 10-20beats/minute. This means theheart is working harder andrequires more nutrients andoxygen.

Increases the blood pressure5-10 mm Hg.

Increases the blood sugarlevel. This higher level causesthe red blood cells to become“sticky”. When this happens,they may clump together andbe unable to travel throughthe smallest vessels, calledcapillaries. The tissues beingnourished by these vessels willnot receive all the blood flowthey require.

Increases the chance forplatelets to clump together. Thiscan result in blood clots thatcause strokes, heart attacks ordamage to other tissues.

Center for Wound Healingand Hyperbaric Medicine

240 Williamson Street, Suite 104Elizabeth, NJ 07207

(908) 994-5480Fax: (908) 994-5495

Tar, a component in cigarette smoke, coatsthe lining of the lungs and trachea. Thebody tries to clear this “sticky” product fromthe lungs by coughing. This is whysmokers develop a chronic cough. Whenthe lungs are coated with tar, the exchangeof oxygen and carbon dioxide is inhibited.This means that the blood carries a lowerconcentration of oxygen to the tissueswhich also slows the healing process.Carbon Monoxide, a part of

cigarette smoke, competes withoxygen by attaching itself to thehemoglobin on the red blood cells. Ifcarbon monoxide is attached to thehemoglobin, oxygen does not have aplace to travel through the blood. Thisresults in less oxygen available for thetissues to heal themselves.

Nicotine, a part of cigarettes, is avasoconstrictor. A vasoconstrictor isa chemical that narrows bloodvessels and reduces the flow of blood.When this happens, the body doesnot receive adequate amounts ofnutrients or oxygen to stay healthy orrepair itself. When body tissues areinjured they require ten times thenutrients and energy of normal tissuesto heal. So smoking delays the body’sability to heal itself by preventing anadequate energy and oxygen supplyto the wounded tissue.

How doessmokingaffect the

body?

There are many methods to help you quitsmoking. Family and friends may besupportive and encouraging, but ultimatelythe decision to quit smoking is yours.

(* Smoking aids include such products asZyban, Wellbutrin, nicotine patches orNicorette gum)

How to quitsmoking...

When you make thedecision to stop smoking,use these helpful tips toassist you in quitting.

Only 10% of those who do not use stopsmoking aids will quit smokingsuccessfully.

People who use stop smoking aids* orwho attend support groups have a26% chance of successfully quitting.

Avoid acidic foods such astomatoes and citrus. These foodsallow nicotine to leave the bodyfaster and can increase the urgeto smoke.

Nibble on low calorie snacks suchas carrot sticks, celery or apples.

Suck on hard candy or chew gum.

After dinner, brush your teeth or sipmint tea to avoid the urge to smoke.

Exercise! Swimming, running andother sports help relieve tensionand reduce the urge to smoke.

Plan ahead and think ofalternatives to smoking before theurge to smoke occurs.

Relax. Remember the urge tosmoke will pass.