Can Blood and Urine Tests Detect Smoking? Understanding Nicotine's Half-Life
Smoking and blood and urine tests? At the beginning of the university semester, health checks are required, including blood and urine tests. I smoke; can these two tests detect smoking? What is the half-life of nicotine? How long should I refrain from smoking before the tests to ...
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Blood and urine tests can detect metabolites related to tobacco, but these are not commonly used methods for assessing smoking habits. A more frequently used method to determine smoking status is the carbon monoxide measurement, which is typically offered at smoking cessation cli...[Read More] Can Blood and Urine Tests Detect Smoking? Understanding Nicotine's Half-Life
Concerns About Cancer: A Journey from Smoking to Quitting
Suspecting that you have cancer? I have been smoking for over a year, and recently I've been worried that smoking has caused health issues, so I want to quit. I started smoking due to stress, and the amount increased from one or two cigarettes a day to a pack every two days....
Dr. Cai Fushun Reply:
Hello, it is recommended that you consult and seek medical care at a smoking cessation clinic (or pulmonology department). Thank you.[Read More] Concerns About Cancer: A Journey from Smoking to Quitting
Overcoming Smoking Addiction: Tips for a Successful Quit Journey
About Smoking Cessation Hello Doctor: I have been smoking for nearly 10 years. Due to work commitments, I can only smoke during lunch breaks and after work, about 5-10 cigarettes a day (I tend to smoke more when I feel anxious or stressed). Recently, after having a tooth extracti...
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Hello, everyone: Most smokers have thought about quitting smoking in the past year, but less than half have actually taken action. Don't be afraid of failure when it comes to quitting; the real fear lies in not taking action and constantly making excuses. As long as we are w...[Read More] Overcoming Smoking Addiction: Tips for a Successful Quit Journey
Understanding Smoking Cessation: Medication vs. Education for Success
Differences in Smoking Cessation Education Hello, doctor! I have been smoking for 15 years. Recently, due to health concerns and the fact that I am not married yet, I have been thinking about having children in the future, so both my boyfriend and I want to quit smoking. However,...
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Hello: 1. Both options are fine; providing medication along with smoking cessation education tends to be more effective. Generally, smoking cessation clinics also have smoking cessation educators available to provide guidance. 2. Most indoor spaces in workplaces, government agenc...[Read More] Understanding Smoking Cessation: Medication vs. Education for Success
Overcoming Smoking Cessation Challenges: Tips for Managing Withdrawal Symptoms
Smoking cessation issues Doctor: Hello! I quit smoking on my own for about 10 days. During that time, when I felt the urge to smoke, I would take a few puffs and then extinguish it, doing this about once a day. After the third or fourth day of quitting, I noticed that I was exper...
Dr. Lin Shunfa Reply:
1. You can directly consult with the healthcare professionals at the smoking cessation clinic to determine if it is related to medication or possibly withdrawal symptoms. 2. You may also consult with a psychosomatic medicine specialist.[Read More] Overcoming Smoking Cessation Challenges: Tips for Managing Withdrawal Symptoms
Overcoming Smoking Addiction: Strategies for Long-Term Success
Smoking cessation issues I have been smoking for 20 years, consuming 2 to 3 packs a day, and I have always believed that smoking is an addiction. Therefore, I have been trying to quit on my own, but smoking will not stop by itself. I went to a smoking cessation clinic, and the do...
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Hello, I am glad to receive your letter. From what you mentioned, you have successfully refrained from smoking for two days, and I congratulate you on that! Please continue to maintain this progress. If you can persist in quitting smoking, it will not only benefit your health bu...[Read More] Overcoming Smoking Addiction: Strategies for Long-Term Success
Understanding Champix: Cost, Availability, and Health Considerations
The use of Jiebishi (戒必適) should be followed carefully I want to help my boyfriend quit smoking, as he smokes about a pack every 2-3 days. I found a lot of information online about smoking cessation medications, but most of it is from 3-4 years ago. I would like to know the curre...
Dr. Qiu Junda Reply:
Hello: 1. Since our hospital does not have this smoking cessation medication, I am not very familiar with the price of Champix (varenicline), but it should be cheaper at the hospital due to subsidies compared to outside pharmacies. 2. There are no specific restrictions regarding ...[Read More] Understanding Champix: Cost, Availability, and Health Considerations
How to Encourage Your Father to Quit Smoking Despite His Fears
How to encourage a father to quit smoking? A doctor once told my father that quitting smoking would lead to death. Now, whenever anyone (even his closest friends, family, or his pulmonologist) advises him to quit or reduce smoking or to take medications related to smoking cessati...
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Hello, Xiao Xiao: Since I am not that physician, I cannot fully understand what happened to your father at that time. Generally speaking, a well-educated physician should encourage their patients to quit smoking. It is difficult to comprehend why a physician would tell your fathe...[Read More] How to Encourage Your Father to Quit Smoking Despite His Fears
Can You Measure Lung Health After Quitting Smoking? Expert Insights
"Black lung" disease, also known as coal worker's pneumoconiosis, is a respiratory condition caused by long-term exposure to coal dust and other types of particulate matter, including those from smoking. It is characterized by the accumulation of coal dust in the l...
Dr. Qiu Junda Reply:
Hello: First of all, congratulations on overcoming your addiction; I believe your health will improve significantly. Regarding your question about whether your lungs are "black," it may be necessary to clarify if this term relates to lung tissue pathology in medical ter...[Read More] Can You Measure Lung Health After Quitting Smoking? Expert Insights
Smoking Cessation Tips for Diabetic Patients: Safe Options and Advice
Smoking Cessation for Diabetic Patients Hello Doctor, my father was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after a blood test last week. He is currently taking insulin injections every morning and oral hypoglycemic medication before breakfast and dinner. He checks his blood sugar three t...
Dr. Lin Shunfa Reply:
I'm glad to hear that you are caring for your father's health. If he wants to quit smoking, he can consult the smoking cessation clinics at major hospitals for guidance on how to quit smoking, rather than purchasing products on his own.[Read More] Smoking Cessation Tips for Diabetic Patients: Safe Options and Advice
Understanding the Effects and Duration of Champix for Smoking Cessation
Regarding the discontinuation of the medication Gabapentin? Hello, Doctor: I used to smoke 30 cigarettes a day and quit for 11 months a few years ago, but I relapsed. Since then, I found it very difficult to quit again until I visited a smoking cessation clinic nearby a month ago...
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Hello Joe: The recommended treatment course for Champix is generally 8 to 12 weeks, and it is usually not advised to stop the medication midway. Champix can be used in conjunction with nicotine inhalers without affecting the smoking cessation effectiveness. Discontinuing Champix ...[Read More] Understanding the Effects and Duration of Champix for Smoking Cessation
Common Questions About Quitting Smoking and Lung Health
Questions related to smoking cessation? Hello, Doctor: I have been smoking intermittently for about 10 years (around 10 cigarettes a day). A month ago, I made the decision to quit smoking. However, after researching online, I realized the significant harm smoking causes to the bo...
Dr. Cai Fushun Reply:
Smokers have a cancer risk that is 2 to 20 times higher than non-smokers, and the general population also has a possibility of developing cancer. Statistical data shows that after quitting smoking for 20 years, the cancer risk gradually decreases to about twice that of non-smoker...[Read More] Common Questions About Quitting Smoking and Lung Health
Effective Strategies to Help Teens Quit Smoking in Care Facilities
How to effectively assist adolescents in quitting smoking? Hello Doctor: I am a social worker at a residential facility. Many residents have a history of smoking before entering the institution. Although the facility has a strict no-smoking policy, we are unable to effectively el...
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Hello Ms. Chang: Regarding the change in addictive behaviors, it is usually necessary to recognize that such behaviors are harmful and can cause damage to health or the surrounding environment. Individuals must develop a motivation to change and take effective actions to alter an...[Read More] Effective Strategies to Help Teens Quit Smoking in Care Facilities
Effective Strategies to Help Your Dad Quit Smoking
How to quit smoking? I asked my dad not to smoke, but he keeps smoking. How can he quit?
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Hello, Xiao Lin: This is a difficult issue that cannot be resolved in a brief response. I recommend that you take your father to a smoking cessation clinic designated by the health department to discuss this with a professional treatment team, as this will likely be more helpful ...[Read More] Effective Strategies to Help Your Dad Quit Smoking
Finding Smoking Cessation Clinics in Taipei Offering Nicotine Inhalers
Smoking cessation clinic Which smoking cessation clinic in Taipei offers nicotine inhalers? I have previously experienced an allergic reaction to patches. The clinic I visited only provided patches, so I would like to use a nicotine inhaler. Are there any other clinics in Taipei ...
Dr. Cai Fushun Reply:
Hello: In response to your inquiry, I recommend that you contact a smoking cessation consultation center at the phone number: 0800-636-363. Thank you![Read More] Finding Smoking Cessation Clinics in Taipei Offering Nicotine Inhalers
Effective Smoking Cessation Strategies for Patients with Heart Disease and Diabetes
Smoking cessation-related issues? Hello, my father has been smoking for a long time. Recently, he suffered a stroke and has a history of hypertension and diabetes. We want to help him quit smoking, but after purchasing nicotine patches, we found out that they are not suitable for...
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Hello Ms. Liu: Nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches, is an effective medication to assist with smoking cessation and remains a first-line treatment for quitting smoking. The notion that nicotine patches are unsuitable for patients with cardiovascular disease and...[Read More] Effective Smoking Cessation Strategies for Patients with Heart Disease and Diabetes
Effective Smoking Cessation Strategies: Seeking Help in Kaohsiung
excuse me? I have been smoking for nearly 20 years, averaging about one pack a day. However, I cannot smoke during the day due to work, and I don't often feel the urge to smoke because of my busy schedule. I have never attended a smoking cessation clinic, but I have previous...
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Hello, Mrs. Chuang; San Tai Hospital in Gushan District is a designated outpatient smoking cessation clinic. If you would like to know about other affiliated outpatient smoking cessation facilities, you can visit the National Health Bureau's website at http://ttc.bhp.doh.gov...[Read More] Effective Smoking Cessation Strategies: Seeking Help in Kaohsiung
Can Blood Tests Accurately Measure Nicotine Levels for Smoking Cessation?
Can blood tests measure nicotine levels? Today I visited the smoking cessation clinic at Kaohsiung 8** Hospital. I have a few questions: 1. Is it correct procedure to provide the highest dosage of nicotine patches based solely on verbal assessment and a questionnaire? 2. Does smo...
Dr. Cai Fushun Reply:
Hello: Smoking has been confirmed as a chronic addictive disease, with nicotine in tobacco products being the primary cause of nicotine dependence and addiction. Nicotine replacement therapy utilizes methods such as nicotine patches and gum to provide smokers with a low, stable c...[Read More] Can Blood Tests Accurately Measure Nicotine Levels for Smoking Cessation?
Effective Strategies and Aids for Quitting Smoking Fast
Smoking cessation How to quit smoking quickly? Are there smoking cessation aids available?
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Smoking is a long-term behavioral habit that not only harms the smoker but also affects the health of others. Since it is a habit developed over time, quitting smoking can be challenging and requires persistence and determination to succeed. Currently, hospitals offer smoking ces...[Read More] Effective Strategies and Aids for Quitting Smoking Fast
Effective Strategies and Products to Help Your Partner Quit Smoking
I want to help someone quit smoking? My boyfriend smokes 3 to 5 cigarettes a day. Although it's not a lot, I really hope he can quit. What kind of cessation aids would be best? Should I take him to a smoking cessation clinic?
Dr. Chen Houliang Reply:
Hello: Whether to quit smoking or not depends on your boyfriend's willingness to quit. If your boyfriend believes he needs assistance to quit smoking, attending a smoking cessation clinic can increase his chances of success. You are welcome to accompany him to discuss suitab...[Read More] Effective Strategies and Products to Help Your Partner Quit Smoking