NetWellness Smoking and Tobacco

Cotinine Testing

Mary Wewers PhD, MPH — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:12:00 EST

Question: I see so much conflicting information on how long cotinine lasts in the system. As a medical professional, could you tell me: would cotinine be detected in testing (blood, urine, or hair) of someone who regularly chewed tobacco but had quit completely, no patches either, for 4-5 months? How about 7- . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. It is beyond the scope of NetWellness to answer questions concerning drug screens. However, the article Drug Testing may help you better understand the drug screening process.

Ask an Expert: Mary Wewers PhD, MPH, Smoking and Tobacco

Nicotine (and Derivatives) in System

Rob Crane MD — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:03:00 EST

Question: I went from being an active smoker to a very occasional smoker about 10 years ago. I quit in Aug 2009 and then had a pack (20 cigs)over a period of 3 days in mid-Oct 2010. I have not touched a cigarette since then. I am wondering if the nicotine and derivatives would have worked out of my system sin . . .

Answer: First, congratulations on quitting. This is one of the world's toughest addictions and certainly the most dangerous drug on the planet because of the total effect of smoking on both your body and those around you. 1.2 billion people are addicted and 5.4 million die each year from smoking.
. . .

Ask an Expert: Rob Crane MD, Smoking and Tobacco

How Long after Quitting Smoking

Karen Ahijevych PhD, RN, FAAN — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:02:00 EST

Question: How long after quitting smoking does it take for your carbon monoxide levels to return to normal and nicotine is out of your system?

Answer: Carbon monoxide and nicotine are two markers of cigarette smoking. The time for any product to clear from the body depends on the amount in your system when you decide to quit smoking. Higher levels in your body will take longer to clear. Carbon monoxide and nicotine would generally be cleared in . . .

Ask an Expert: Karen Ahijevych PhD, RN, FAAN, Smoking and Tobacco

Quitting for Good

Scott Frank MD, MS — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:01:00 EST

Question: I quit smoking successfully 3 months ago but now I am back to smoking as much as ever. Every time I have quit I've told myself, "This is so hard, I never want to put myself through this again." But every time something in my life happens that is stressful, I go running back to my cigarettes. What ca . . .

Answer:

First, recognize that you are not alone. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man, and relapse - returning to your addiction - is an expected part of healing from this addiction. The trick is, not to think of these previous episodes as failures, but as practice for the next e . . .

Ask an Expert: Scott Frank MD, MS, Smoking and Tobacco

Want to Quit Smoking

Rob Crane MD — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:11:00 EST

Question: I HAD A SEVERE STROKE IN 1997 SINCE MY STROKE I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH SEVERE SPASISITY AND AM CURRENTLY UNDERGOING INTRATHECAL BACOLFEN THERAPY, MY PROBLEM IS IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE DRUG MY SMOKING HAS GOTTEN INCREASING WORSE, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IS THE BEST WAY OF . . .

Answer: This is a very interesting and challenging question. First, my condolences for the ordeals you have been undergoing. It sounds just miserable. But, my suspicion is that your misery is being compounded by your smoking.

As you are doubtless aware, smoking harms your lungs, heart and bl . . .

Ask an Expert: Rob Crane MD, Smoking and Tobacco

After Quitting

Rob Crane MD — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:08:00 EST

Question: I stopped smoking 4 years ago, I do feel better, my question is this: I heard once you stop smoking your lungs will heal themselves is this true? If so how long does it take to go back to normal?

Answer: First, congratulations on overcoming the toughest addiction in the world. There is probably no other single step you could have taken to better extend your years of healthy living.

As to healing, this of course depends on how much damage has already been done. Smoking causes scores o . . .

Ask an Expert: Rob Crane MD, Smoking and Tobacco

Quiting Spit Tobacco & Leaving Confusion

Rob Crane MD — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:06:00 EST

Question: I have quit spit tobacco (Skoal longcut) it has only been 106 hours, and I have no urges to use.

Over the past few years I have been having TIA`s that can last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours - where I am unable to communicate verbally or written. In fact, the week leading up to quiting I had . . .

Answer: Unless you've seen a qualified physician, I am not certain that these events you describe are indeed "Transient Ischemic Attacks -- TIAs". What I am certain about is that you need urgent medical attention if there is any possibility that these are TIAs, because TIAs are risk factors for devastating . . .

Ask an Expert: Rob Crane MD, Smoking and Tobacco

Excess Weight Gain

Rob Crane MD — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:04:00 EST

Question: I quit smoking two months ago and feel great! I expected some weight gain (no more than 10 pounds)and immediately began to watch what I eat and upped my exercise (I am military - so the exercise really isn`t a problem). I have gained 23 pounds in two months!!!! I am concerned that my smoking masked . . .

Answer: Wow, twenty-three pounds in two months. That is a lot. Average weight gain after stopping smoking is about six pounds, so this is high. However, it is fairly rare for a medical condition to cause weight gain while you are "feeling great." Nonetheless, a trip to your doctor to rule out conditions . . .

Ask an Expert: Rob Crane MD, Smoking and Tobacco

Copenhagen and Diabetes

Rob Crane MD — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:04:00 EST

Question: what is copenhagen snuff made out of other than nicotine. i have been reading increasing risk of heart disease for continued use but i do not see any mention of diabetes; and i am wondering if this product causes high blood sugar in diabetics.

Answer: