will stop smoking improve quality of life?

Question 1
will stop smoking improve quality of life?...  would you have more confidence and higher self esteem if you quit smoking?

Answers
1)   Yea. It's bad for your lungs and brain and body. Cigars have things that you don't want in yer lungs such as dirt, rocket fuel, and nail polish remover. - JediJettson

2)   smoking hasn't affected my self esteem or confidence. so no for me - aristocat

3)   Chances are after you truly quit and your body stop needing the nicotine then you won't really notice a chance in your personality at all, unless someone asks you for a smoke and you say sorry don't smoke. You might notice a change in self esteem. But in every other aspect yes, more disposable income, healthier body all around, no craving fro the next hit, no living cigarette to cigarette better smelling, less danger of a fire, healthier environment for the people around you the list goes on. - Mongolking

4)   Yes, absolutely. Cigar contains a powerful addictive substance called 'NICOTIN' which stimulates your mind to smoke. In this way many get addicted to smoking. Self-Confidence can be increased by quitting smoking. Smoking means it's none other then a person inviting problems in to his/her life. - David Mongold

5)   Really, it will definitely improve your life. Apply it as soon as possible. - Eric Bernard

6)   Yes.
You'll know you've beaten the marketing men and overcome the addiction which is a fantastic achievement. Your moods will be more stable so you can relate better to people which will make you more confident.
You'll feel cleaner, fitter and lighter and you'll know you'll smell better. More and more places are non smoking so you won't be socially ostricised.
Do it. You won't look back and it will be one of the best things you've ever done. - Lightning

7)   Of course!
Go for it dude! - Brad

8)   Yes, yes and yes.
Drastically.
20 - 30 per day 6 years ago. - Avicenna

9)   I am sure it will :-) If you will ask a girls perspective.. I prefer men who do not smoke because it seems nice to get near to one if he smells clean :-) lolzz just my thoughts .... - midnighta2m2w

10)   No one wants to kiss someone who tastes like an ashtray - Think those implications through.... - Tink


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Question 2
Is there any way to reduce our vitamin bills?...  On a daily basis, my husband and I consume dozens of vitamins for maintaining heart health, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. Because of this our monthly budget has gone haywire.

Answers
1)   Yes. Eat healthy. Get your vitamins from food, not pills. - Mr Bean

2)   Keep in mind that the basis of a good diet is food, not simply vitamins. What do you think of when you think of an orange? Vitamin C, right? Well there are polyphenols, amino acids, minerals, plant sterols, fiber etc in that orange that all help the vitamin C to be better absorbed!

That being said a good discount place to buy your supplements is www.swansonvitamins.com They have national brands a discount price and also have a private brand for even less! Most things are much cheaper than what you can get in a regular health food store and its shipped to you! - Johnny's Mama

3)   You could try eating properly. You know this 5-a-day people keep talking about. - Nitram

4)   wall mart sells many vitamins today at reduced prices. also a multivitamin, folic acid and co enzyme q-10 is perfect for the heart. an aspirin a day is supposed to keep the doctor away. also blood pressure is controlled with garlic, onions and black pepper. and you can get all this at wall mart! - John Whittington

5)   First, I would take a list of what you are taking to your cardiologist and see what they think - of all the medical specialties, cardiologists know the most about supplements because so many of them affect heart health. My father takes a half dozen things with his cardiologists blessing, but there were a couple that he wanted to take where The doctor threw his arms in the air "Oh no, Absolutely no niacin, it effects the heart valves - that would be bad for you!" So make sure you aren't taking something that you really don't need and might cause harm in the long run.

And then you're probably taking too many of them that are redundant, and have more bottles than you need. For example, lots of folks take B-12, Folic, and Thiamine - its a common enough combo that you can find them all in one pill...voila, one bottle instead of three.....

I used to get hit with that Q all the time....take a list of what you take to a health food store where folks don't make commission, and ask them "am I taking too many things, and how can I get by without spending so much" - really, its a common question, if they get on a high horse, leave.

Finally - don't be afraid of puritans pride or iherb (those are websites) they both run really good sales from time to time - Tink

6)   It's really unlikely you need as many as you take (especially as many that claim benefits for cholesterol, blood pressure etc are total nonsense).

Check out recommended daily intakes and see if you can't get this from food. Simply changing your diet slightly might completely remove the need for many of those vitamins. - Mr Spoons

7)   You really don't need any expensive supplements to keep yourself healthy. All you need are the following:

1. healthy, balanced diet (e.g. a low salt, low fat, high fiber one)
2. regular exercise
3. limiting alcohol consumption
4. stopping smoking
5. stress reduction

Many of these health supplements don't even have any proof that they work. That's why they're advertised and sold as supplements because supplements are not as tightly regulated as medicine. Supplements need only show proof that they are safe for human consumption. They do not need to show proof that they work.

A regular visit to your GP for screening tests will also help catch any illnesses early or prevent them.

Good luck!

edit: 2 thumbs down for advocating healthy lifestyle?! Oh noes! I'm under attack from the supplement pill pushers! Help me Superman! - angrydoc

8)   "Dozens" of vitamins don't exist! It might be helpful to know exactly WHAT you are taking. There are a number of high quality multivitamins available - for example Centrum.

As others have said - a well balanced diet provides ALL of the vitamins and minerals that a human being requires.

It is kind of ironic that this question should appear on the Alternative Health section....why do people think that shoveling "dozens" of CHEMICALS down their throats is any different than traditional medicine? Drugs are drugs - whether they are cooked up in a lab or squeezed out of a plant.



angrydoc - I think it is a RIOT - here we are - "traditional" practitioners on an Alternate section - advocating NOT taking chemicals (i.e. DRUGS) into one's body - but instead eating right and exercising and we get thumbs down!!! Absolutely hilarious.... - Joe


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Question 3
About to start a detox & have some Q's?...  I recently got Dr. Shulze's detox. It is a 5 day detox that says to eat raw foods for 5 days while on the detox. What do I eat? What should I expect? This will be my 1st detox, so any advice would be great!
I have to disagree - I believe a lot in herbs. I know people that have gained a lot of health from herbs. I know a lady who tried 10 years to have a baby. She took some herbs & two months later she conceived. :) As far a detox...I believe in that too. I also believe how you said that by eating right the body will detox itself - true, but I also believe you can get some extra help from herbs.
Thanks to the ones who actuall have me answers!

Rhinna - I didn't ask for advice to those who don't agree with a detox, so you should have just kept the comment to yourself. You wasted my time. I not only believe, but REALITY is, I have seen a lot of positive things come from herbs!!! Did you not read how my friend who tried 10 yrs had a baby two months after taking herbs!?! Next time...answer the question if you have tried it out...not just what you BELIEVE to be true..thanks!
I know it's open board, but my question is for people who have tried detox...not people that do not agree with it...bottom line. Thanks for answering, anyway! ;)

Answers
1)   Sure!

First of all "detox" is a scam term used to sell diet books and hoax mixtures of herbs. Normally the instructions are basically harmless but certainly it doesn't 'detox' you, your body does that on its own and you can't control it.

Eat healthily, expect nothing and you won't be disappointed. Also hopefully you'll learn from this and not get scammed again. - dave

2)   The body does detox itself but with the toxins we are exposed to today, the body needs a helping hand. This link has frequently asked questions about detoxing>>>

http://www.amandahamilton.co.uk/life-changing-detox-c-453.html - ƦєdAиgєℓ

3)   When it says "raw foods", it's just simply foods that aren't processed, cooked, etc. It's great to eat fruits, veggies, etc. (which those alone help to detox and cleanse a lot, too).

You can expect diarrhea and/or loose stools... it's an unfortunate effect of a good cleanse, but it happens. Stay near the bathroom for the first day or two (until it tapers off), drink plenty of water, and make sure you start it on a day off. I've done a couple cleanses before and felt much better afterward, but it was inconvenient that I couldn't really go anywhere... it was worth it afterward as I was more regular and felt better in general. As a side note, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take some Probiotics if you aren't already (at least eating yogurt or other fermented foods) after you're done with the cleanse as some of the good bacteria in your system can be purged during some of the major cleanses. Good luck and I hope I helped! - oldtimekid2

4)   In AltMed land, "detox" is a made up concept. There is 1. no reason why anyone should want to routinely detox their body and 2. There is no evidence these detoxes will detox your body. They have no plausible mechanism to do this.

"I have to disagree - I believe a lot in herbs"
Well to be blunt, often what people "believe" and what is reality, are two different things.
=============================================
All science denialists act the same way when their "beliefs" are challenged.

Why exactly are you getting your underwear in knot? Your behaviour is akin to sticking your fingers in your ears and shouting lalalalalalalala from the top of your voice in a desperate attempt to avoid hearing things you don't like.

This is an open board, you've asked for advice. Comments are there, take it or leave it.

Also, correlation isn't causation. - Rhianna


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Question 4
After a century why do some Mds and DCs still have animosity?...  To the 'crew' who seem to harbor 'hatred' and deep seated disdain for chiropractic please do not bother to answer this as your opinions are quite unfortunately clear. I want rational, objective non-hateful questions from persons who actually think about their answers.

Answers
1)   "still have animosity" You failed to say to what. You have posted a question that isn't a question.

Maybe because they peddle treatments for which there is not a jot of evidence for their efficacy. Which is why some 25% are or have been under investigation by regulatory bodies. - Nitram

2)   Sorry, you're posting a question asking for questions from people who think about answers?

What a total and utter mess, I hope you're not let loose near sick people? - dave

3)   How many more times?

There is a limitation to exactly how much benefit chiropractic is to the human body, and there is a reluctance from many chiropractors to accept this.
You're being childish. Science does not give credence to this type of childish nonsense, science gives credence to things that actually work.

Instead of providing data to support your position, all you people do is whine that you are being persecuted, bullied and that people are hostile towards you, ignoring the valid reasons for why Doctors are critical of your "profession".

Chiropractic may be beneficial for mild lower back pain and a few other issues of soft tissue origin...but beyond this there simply no evidence or plausible reason for it to be of any other benefit.

And isn't it a bit self serving to post a question and then answer it with another account and award it BA?

Get a grip please. - Rhianna

4)   it goes against what they been taught and would likely cause them to lose a job that they have spent a lot of time and money trying to learn. #1 they could believe what they are saying because all the time and money, as well as the people that they learned it from are considered geniuses and they aren't about to cut them down for what some one else said. #2 if this keeps going people would likely forget about the expense and start going to a cheaper line of medicine an deny it's acceptance for obvious reasons! - John Whittington


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Question 5
Sleep aid recommendations?...  I guess the title is pretty self-explanatory, but lately I've been having trouble falling asleep. I get in bed, and I'm exhausted, but I'll lay there for 2 hours before I can actually fall asleep. I usually go to bed around 2. I'm not a morning person so I usually work on my thesis or other school stuff at night because my brain just functions better then--I just can't concentrate and do my best work in the morning. But I want to get on a slightly more normal schedule, because not falling asleep until 4 is throwing me off. I got some Unisom 50 mg pills hoping that would help me fall asleep, but it doesn't really work. It makes me feel drowsy, but not drowsy enough to actually fall asleep. Upping the dosage doesn't help. They make me feel drowsy, drunk almost but without the nausea, but not enough to fall asleep and give me dry mouth (and make me have to pee all the time...is that a normal side effect?), but that's it. I don't want to take anything on a regular basis, just for a few days so I can fall asleep earlier and get on a more normal schedule. A few people have suggested Dramamine or Nyquil...would those be better than OTC sleeping pills? Like I said, I just need it for a couple of days until I get used to getting up earlier and falling asleep before 4 am. Any suggestions appreciated.

Answers
1)   pot+ 2 shots of jack daniels - Joe

2)   Everyone has a different reaction to different pills. Just from personal experience, I've used Tylenol PM. That seemed to work. I took them about 2 hours before I would lay down to go to sleep, and sure enough I was out. Just something to try if you haven't already. Otherwise, you might wanna consider going to the doctor to get some prescribed stuff. - Kristina Syl

3)   MELATONIN.....IS THE BOMB. I take it, its all natural, you feel energized, non addicting and it has antioxidants. What more can you ask? I am telling you go to cvs or wherever you do your vit shopping and just ask 4 it...Google it to and you are going to be a changed person. - Viorica Ioana

4)   You need to determine the cause of your sleep issues before you prescribe a treatment for yourself. I suffered from sleep apnea. This is a condition where your deep sleep is interrupted by obstruction of your air passages as your muscles relax as you fall into the deepest form of sleep. You wake up without realizing you had snored yourself awake. The condition gets progressively worse unless you intervene. Sleep deprivation is very uncomfortable. The diagnosis and treatment can be pricey, but it was well worth it for me. You might try sleeping on your side instead of stomach. or back Experiment.

Some people suffer from a lack of sleep hormone called melatonin, especially as they age. In the US, this naturally ocurring hormone is available over the counter. You might give it a try.

Diet can get in the way of sleep. Avoid nicotine and cafeine. Minimize dairy and animal proteins (neither are necessary in any quantity if you eat legumes, whole grains, leafy greens, vegetables, flax seed meal, and fruits). For dietary recommendations, I recommend Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr.

Of course, you need to consider any unusual stresses in your life, noise, light, or other environmental factors.

Understand the cause of the sleep problem and then the remedy is clear. - Skeptic


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