Ask the Experts- October 2021

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

Thanks for always being there to help others. I subscribed to your newsletter for years and have finally had the nerve to write to you. Perhaps it is because I am ashamed to tell you that I smoke.  As a result of smoking, my menopause came on much earlier than I had expected. The reason I am writing is I need help. Can you provide me with some resources which I can turn to which may help in my efforts to quit smoking? Thank you. I am 43 years old.

Sophie

Dear Sophie,

We are happy to help. Please remember that it’s never too late to stop smoking. There are many health benefits in doing so. In fact, when you do so, you may breathe easier. In addition,your risk of developing certain medical conditions and diseases may also drop such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease.

The first step you should take is to talk to your doctor.  There are medications and smoking cessation strategies that are available to help you. Your doctor should provide you information and support.

Some resources which we recommend are:

Smokefree.gov

www.smokefree.gov

Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center

www.mayoclinic.org/ndc-rst

National Cancer Institute – Free Help to Quit Smoking

www.cancer.org

Good luck and always remember that it’s never too late to stop smoking.

Thank you for writing to Red Hot Mamas.