February 2008 - The Parklander Magazine

MEDICINE & HEALTH& HEALTHSmoke Gets In Your EyesBy Carol Rakoff, R.N.A…And my eyes, and your grandchildren’s eyes. I’m 69 years old and I’vebeen smoking Lucky Strikes since I’m 14.Tell me, why should I stop now?There are many reasons for senior adults to stop smoking at any age,whether it is 69 or 89. My number one reason for stopping is mygrandchildren, all seven of them. Most recently, my 10-year-old grandsonasked me, “Grandma, why do you want to die?” He wanted to know why Ididn’t stop smoking. Upon registering my grandson’s powerful words, onDecember 7, 2007, I stopped cold turkey.This is not the first time I’ve triedto quit mind you, maybe the seventh or eighth, but I’m pretty sure it’s thelast. There was a commercial on TV for “1-800-QUIT NOW”. I called itand was connected to The American Cancer Society Quit Line. Thesewonderful people took a history from me, set me up with a telephonicsupport person, and sent me three informative and supportive publications.It was just what I needed. My counselor called promptly at the agreed upontimes, and I called them three or four times when I was having the hardesttime coping.There was always someone there to talk to.As a nurse, I am all too familiar with second hand smoke damage,especially to children. My not stopping all these years only shows what ahorrible addiction it is. Second hand smoke is on your breath, in your hair,on your clothes, and whenever you hug and kiss the kids it enters theirbodies. It can effect their breathing as the second hand smoke enters theirlungs. If they are on a respirator or have asthma or other related diseases, itaffects them that much more adversely.In an article published by the Harvard School Of Public Health, (October2006,) a study showed that contaminants found in your automobile arerated ‘hazardous’ by the EPA. “Second hand tobacco smoke can haveharmful effects on children contributing to ear infections, lowerrespiratory infections, sudden infant death syndrome and severe asthmasymptoms.” It is estimated that 35% to 45% of children are regularlyexposed to second hand smoke from adults using tobacco in homes andcars. Cracking the window in your car does nothing to alleviate thedanger. Years of research have shown that smoking indoors can producedangerous levels of contaminants. Smoking in cars can produce smokingpollution comparable to sitting in a smoky bar or restaurant.Don’t become a newspaper headline. Smoking in the home can lead to atragic story like, “A seventy-two-year-old woman who fell asleep whilesmoking died when a cigarette ignited a fire in her apartment. The sevenstory apartment building, which was of fire-resistant construction,contained 125 units occupied by 140 residents, most of whom were elderly.”Again, others are affected adversely by our smoking.5631 Coral Ridge Dr. Coral Springs, FL 33076(954) 753-5055• Mat Classes• Circuit Classes• Jump Classes• Boot Camp• Tower Classes• Private & Semi Private ClassesCigarette smoking can also cause negative changes in blood pressure andheart rate. An investigation of ten smokers, all 75-years-old, and tensmokers, all 35-years-old, all without hypertension or cardiovascular disease,showed that while each subject smoked two cigarettes consecutively,systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased significantly, but more inthe elderly subjects. These results prove that there is an age-relateddifference in blood pressure elevation in healthy subjects. A study by98Valentine’s Day Special!• Workout with a loved one• Two for the price of one• One time offer ($75 value)5631 Coral Ridge Dr. Coral Springs, FL 33076(954) 753-5055FEBRUARY 2008Dr. David Burns of The University of California, San Diego reportsthat smoking takes a higher toll on the elderly and that every birthdaycelebrated increases the risk of death and smoking related diseases.Carol Rakoff R.N. is the president of Total Health Care Services located inMargate and has been in the healthcare field in Florida since 1978.