Smoking not only affects your health but also the health of people around you.
According to the survey carried by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, worldwide tobacco consumption causes nearly 6 million deaths every year, and this count is bound to cross 8 million deaths annually by 2030.
A highly dangerous chemical named, ‘Nicotine’ enters your body when you smoke, lasts for about 6 to 8 hours in the system and takes 2 to 3 days for entirely getting eliminated from the body. This is the substance which makes smoking addictive and damages the lungs.
Tobacco consumption leads to the generation of free radicals which make you vulnerable to various diseases including cancer. Hence, embarking on a diet rich in antioxidants is the best way to balance your health if you are a chain smoker.
In this article, we will discuss the diet required and health-related tips for chain smokers, accompanied with the importance of medical insurance.
Following are some vital health tips for chain smokers:
1) Smoking filter cigarettes can help
Since filter cigarettesare equipped with afilterat the end which reduces the amount of nicotine entering in your mouth, you are reducing the risk by opting for them. Though a bit costly, use them if you want to be little safe while smoking.
2) Have a cup of coffee after smoking
When you have a cup of coffee immediately after smoking, the caffeine content in it helps prevent nicotine from causing damage to the body. A cup of hot coffee and black coffee are always a better choice or even better, green tea.
3) Have food which reduces harmful effects of smoking
Consuming foodenriched with anti-oxidants as well as vitamin B, E & C help to minimise the harmful effects of smoking. Chain smokers should opt for multi-vitamins. Also, increase the daily intake of cabbage, sprouts, beetroot, carrots, kale, spinach. Further, opt for low-oil content food and include boiled vegetables, juices and soups in your diet.
Chain smokers need to control their blood sugar levels and hence abstinence from sugar, and refined starch is much needed.
Go for the unpolishedor unrefined version of carbohydrates. You can eat brown rice and include whole wheat bread in your diet.
In any case, thehealth of liver should be top-notch to continue with the required detoxification process. Hence, include leafy greens, fresh & seasonal fruits and whole grain cereals and reduce the intake of junk food and processed food to keep your liver healthy.
4) Remain healthy in spite of smoking
Chain smokers need to take good care of themselves, and hence nutrient supplements can be taken after proper consultation with the physician.
Some Other Useful Health Tips for Smokers
- Chart out a nutritional plan that can help you cleanse the system
- Nicotine is highly dangerous, hence make yourself strong and walk on the quitting path for the betterment of your health
- Remain determined, remember that quitting in one go is not possible, and hence medical guidance can be of much help in this situation
- Try to gradually cut down the number of cigarettes that you smoke daily
- Avoid junk food as it increases your vulnerability to smoking
- Read more about e-cigarettes, know their benefits
- Meditation, Yoga, and exercise can help you
- Go for a vegetable-based dietary plan, do exercise and develop healthy eating habits
- With physician’s guidance go for green food supplements if required
Importance of Medical Insurance for chain smokers
Smoking is closely related to some diseases like cancer, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, emphysema and other respiratory illnesses. In the current scenario, where a single hospitalisation can wipe out your savings, it is essential to purchase medical insurance to get the complete coverage against ailments which may arise due to smoking.
Many smokers avoid approaching the medical insurance company as they fear that the insurer would either charge more or reject their application. However, smoking doesn’t automatically restrain you from getting a medical insurance. It’s just that the insurer becomes extra cautious. Though the insurer may charge ahigh premium or levy highloading; it would be less than the amount that you would have pay from your pocket at the time of medical crisis in the absence of medical insurance.
The Final Verdict
If you are a chain smoker, follow the above-listedhealth tips on a daily basis, but most importantly have medical insurance at your disposal. A chain smoker should understand that ‘prevention is always the best medicine’. Here, medical insurance will act as your preventive measure by shielding you against soaring medical costs.
