Finding information on how to stop smoking is easy, but what is not as easy is sorting through it all. Which method is the best; or better yet, which one will work the best for you? Each person is different, and not everyone will respond the same way to the same approaches. This information may help you decide to quit smoking, and, with some effort, end up smoke free.

What are the Benefits of not Smoking?

In the U.S., there are over 170,000 deaths per year due to cancer, including lung cancer. Certain cancers may not be preventable, but lung cancer caused by smoking is, so keep that in mind while trying to quit. Beyond cancer, quitting smoking lowers blood pressure, and lowers the risk for both heart attack and stroke. It also helps you breathe better, not to mention the money you will save when you no longer need to buy cigarettes.

When it seems Impossible to Quit

Smokers struggling to quit seem to have tried it all, the patch, gum, hypnosis, self-help books and groups, cold turkey, yoga, and even shock treatment! Even after all this, they are still smokers. Some physicians are now using what is called a cold (low-level) painless laser, fired at specific points on the hands and face like acupuncture, to rid the body of nicotine cravings and other symptoms of withdrawal by raising the body’s own natural pain and stress reliever.

The Newest Medical Breakthrough in the Science of Battling a Nicotine Habit

As a family physician in Nevada, I have developed a 4-step program that uses the cold laser to help you overcome the need to smoke. What sets this system apart? Nicotine gum and patches just give the body nicotine in another form, while prescription drugs are expensive and may have some serious side effects. His program has no side effects, provides ongoing support without a long-term commitment, and causes the release of natural stress and pain reducers.

What does this new Program Involve?

Step One: A consultation with myself or a member of the medical staff.

Step Two: The cold laser treatment, in which a low-level laser beam will stimulate the acupuncture points related to smoking. This releases chemicals in your brain that relax you, which reduces the withdrawal symptoms.

Step Three: The dietary and lifestyle action plan, to help with cravings, rid the body of toxins, give exercise ideas and stress reduction tips, not to mention a free relaxation CD.

Step Four: The follow up visit, to track your progress, and determine if you might benefit from further treatment, or if the dietary lifestyle plan is enough to keep you on course to your goal of becoming a non-smoker, although the clinic staff is always available for additional support as needed

No matter what anyone may say there is no ‘miracle cure’ that will make cravings disappear overnight. With the right support, though, you can overcome the need for nicotine. Do the homework; find out everything you can about any new program or product before investing time and money into it. The most important step in the journey to stop smoking is the first one.

Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT, is a common medical treatment that can relieve the symptoms of menopause. It is also sometimes used to lessen aging symptoms in men. Although it can be helpful, hormone therapy also comes with many health risks. For this reason, every person should discuss the decision to use hormone treatment with their doctor.

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy in Reno is a treatment that consists of medication prescribed to women by a family physician. The medication is designed to counteract the effects of menopause. These medications contain female hormones like estrogen and progestin, which is a man-made version of the naturally occurring progesterone. Hormone therapy can alleviate many symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and vaginal symptoms. Although usually used to treat women, a form of hormone therapy for men is also available to treat low levels of testosterone.

History of the Treatment

Hormone therapy has been around since the 1930’s, when estrogen was used to treat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. In the 1960’s, doctors found more reasons to use HRT and family physicians began prescribing it more often. Throughout the next ten years, doctors used hormone therapy to treat everything from hot flashes to depression. It was approved by the FDA to treat menopause at first. In the 1980’s it was also approved to treat the loss of bone density. By 2002, it became apparent that hormone therapy can cause serious health problems and the frequency of prescription went down greatly.

Benefits to Hormone Replacement

There are a few benefits to using hormone replacement therapy in the short term. Women seem to gain protection against the loss of bone density, colorectal cancer and heart disease. Studies show that this lowers the chance of fractures and broken bones. The decrease in heart disease occurs when hormone therapy is started at the beginning of menopause. Of course, benefits also include the reduction in menopausal symptoms like mood swings and trouble sleeping as well.

Shortcomings of the Therapy

There are a number of side effects that have decreased the use of hormone therapy medication by family physicians in Reno over the past ten years. Taking estrogen medication without progestin increases the risk of uterine cancer. Long term use of hormone therapy is linked to abnormal mammograms, a higher risk of blood clots and an increased chance of certain cancers. For some, the benefits can outweigh the risks of hormone therapy, although family physicians usually recommend it only when menopause symptoms are too difficult to live with.

Hormone replacement therapy in Reno has decreased over the past ten years, although it is still an effective treatment for some individuals. HRT can reduce menopausal symptoms and decrease the risk of osteoporosis. Still, the side effects and health risks associated with the process make it necessary to carefully consider the therapy before choosing it for long term treatment.

Laser hair removal in Reno has quickly gained popularity over the last few years and is now one of the only ways to effectively get rid of hair permanently. It offers many benefits over other hair removal methods and is usually overseen by a trained family physician, which makes the process safer. When compared to other methods like shaving, depilatory creams, waxing and electrolysis, the advantages of laser treatment become clear. Many find laser hair removal as the best method to get rid of hair on the face, arms, back or bikini area.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

Laser treatments use a concentrated beam of energy that is aimed at the follicle. This energy is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, damaging the follicle. After enough treatments, follicles are damaged to the point that they will not grow hair at all. It is a matter of doing the treatment in the right phase of hair growth to cause the permanent effect.  Laser hair treatments can target virtually any area of the body, including the face, back and sensitive areas like the bikini line. The outcome varies by person, although some people see reduced hair growth in only a few treatments. The pain from laser hair removal is similar to the feeling of a rubber band being snapped on the skin.

Laser Hair Removal in Reno versus Electrolysis

Electrolysis and laser treatments are the only two permanent options for hair removal. Laser hair treatments offer a number of benefits over electrolysis, however. Physicians supervise many laser procedures, whereas electrolysis is often performed in a spa setting. Laser hair treatments are less painful than electrolysis and target a much larger area as electrolysis works by inserting a needle into each individual follicle. Still, results will vary by person so it is important to know that neither procedure can guarantee the outcome.

Less Pain with Laser Treatments

Laser treatments for hair removal in Reno also offer another advantage for many: the procedure is far less painful than electrolysis and many find it milder than waxing and tweezing as well. The sensation of a laser treatment is often compared to the snap of a rubber band on the skin, and treatments that target small areas like the eyebrows or upper lip may be as short as a couple minutes. Many prefer the laser procedure over older options like waxing and tweezing that allow the hair to grow back time after time.

More Convenient Than Shaving and Creams

Another major benefit offered by laser treatments is the convenience it offers. Shaving and depilatory creams require weekly or daily maintenance, which can become a hassle over years. With laser hair removal, unwanted hair can be erased permanently after five or more treatments spaced six weeks to eight weeks apart. Many find the cost of laser treatments to be worth the feeling of never tweezing eyebrows or shaving the bikini area again.

Laser hair removal in Reno is one of the best options available today to remove unwanted hair. It offers one of the only permanent solutions and can give results in only a few treatments. Laser hair removal can eliminate the need for daily shaving and tweezing completely.