Thursday, October 22, 2009

While using the nicotine patch poses far fewer risks than smoking, it is not risk free. This means that if you need to use the nicotine patch to prevent yourself from smoking then you should stay on it, unless your doctor advises otherwise, but if there are other safer treatments that work for you, they may be preferable over the patch or other nicotine replacement products.

One problem with long term use of the nicotine patch is that it is known to be a carcinogen, and according to new research, its potential to cause cancer may be greater than first thought. While more research is required in this area, it is now widely accepted that nicotine ingestion increases the risk of cancer.

Another problem with nicotine is that it stresses the heart and increases blood pressure. Nicotine damages the lining of our arteries, leading to the buildup of plaque, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Nicotine also suppresses insulin output, which can lead to hyperglycemia or high blood sugar, which is of particular concern for anyone with diabetes.

The bottom line is that nicotine is a highly addictive poison, and you are better off without it. However, if you need the nicotine patch or other nicotine replacement products in order to not smoke, then you are better off using them, since they present a much lower risk than smoking.