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- A nicotine patch is a small
plaster patch that adheres to the skin, designed to release varying
doses of nicotine into the bloodstream in order to reduce cravings for
addicted smokers who are trying to quit. This is a form of nicotine
replacement therapy (NRT). The nicotine patch looks like a square tan
bandage. Applied once a day in the morning to clean, dry, non-hairy
skin, the nicotine patch is left on all day, and removed just before
bed. Nicotine patches are also available in a clear material, making
them less visible on the skin.
- The patch first became
available in the U.S. by prescription only in 1992, and by 1996 could be
bought over-the-counter. Patches are available in many brands from
several different drug companies. Though they vary slightly in
properties and dosages they all work basically the same. The idea is
that the presence of small doses of nicotine in the body will reduce the
severity of cravings experienced when going cold turkey.
- One of the benefits of a
nicotine patch is in the way it delivers the nicotine to your body. When
you smoke, the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly
through the lungs. The effect of the nicotine on the brain is almost
instant. But within 20-30 minutes, the blood level of nicotine has
dropped and your body begins signaling for more. This keeps the smoker
in a roller coaster need-feed cycle.
- Wearing the nicotine patch
to bed at night can disrupt sleep and cause vivid dreams. The nicotine
patch works by delivering small, controlled doses of nicotine into the
bloodstream, but without all of the other toxic and dangerous chemicals
present in cigarette smoke. Nicotine patches should be removed from the
skin during strenuous exercise. If a patch is left on, too much nicotine
may pass through your skin and into your bloodstream.
- Nicotine in any form should ideally not be used during
pregnancy, as it has been shown to adversely affect the development of
the baby, both in the womb and after birth. However, for pregnant women
who are unable to give up smoking without a smoking cessation aid, NRT
may deliver less nicotine (and none of the other potentially
disease-causing agents) than would be obtained from
cigarettes
- Researchers are reporting
that at least 50 percent of patients who used a nicotine patch for six
weeks experienced complete relief of symptoms of ulcerative colotis,
compared with 25 percent of patients who used a patch without
nicotine
- CAUTION: There is strong Opposition & movement
against use NRT disagreeing with the tall claims of Pharmaceutical
Companies......