Talk with Your Doctor Before You Officially Quit Smoking
September 16th, 2006 (Quit Smoking)
Before you start your countdown to quit-smoking day, do consider making an appointment with your doctor to discuss your plans. It doesn’t matter if the doctor hasn’t discussed smoking with you before. Once approached, most doctors will be eager to help you plan a quit program that suits your personal and medical needs.
Your doctor may want to take baseline measurements of your heart rate, blood pressure, and weight. In addition, he or she will determine whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions, such as impaired lung function or chest pains, which might show measurable improvement when you stop smoking. This baseline information will be recorded in your medical chart. That way, you’ll have a point of comparison when you return for follow-up visits after you’ve successfully quit.
Don’t forget your dentist, either. Tobacco use has a dramatic effect on the mouth, teeth, and gums. That’s why most dentists are eager to help their patients quit smoking. One good way to begin your quit-smoking program is to have your dentist clean your teeth, so you’ll see some immediate improvement in your appearance right at the start.