There are a lot of reasons to quit smoking. We all know the life threatening reasons, but we don’t necessarily understand the the full impact that smoking has on our bodies and minds, and possibly even on others around us.

Women especially are susceptible to some of the more hidden dangers of smoking, and may actually benefit in different ways than men when it comes to smoking cessation.

For example, many women probably do not even know this, but lung cancer is now killing more women every year than breast cancer. That’s right, lung cancer is actually more deadly to a woman than breast cancer, which is by far more talked about in women’s health than lung cancer.

Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer since nearly 90% of all cases are traced directly to smoking, so it’s important that women really understand the health benefits of quitting smoking.

There are actually a lot more health issues that a woman needs to think about if she is a smoker as well. For example, most contraceptive pills carry warnings on them that the patient should not take the contraceptive birth control pill if she is a smoker.

Her risk of developing heart problems is greatly increased if she is smoking while on the pill, since smoking increases blood pressure, and the pill is known to also increase blood pressure. This creates a double hazard for heart issues.

Another concern may be for a woman’s children. Children many times can develop asthma and other types of breathing problems if the child is exposed to cigarette smoke at a young age. This is also a concern for men, since they are not exempt from this rule either!

There are also a myriad of other health problems, inconveniences and even just “cosmetic” reasons that a woman may want to consider smoking cessation in order that she may be her “best self”.

These don’t necessarily fall into the category of life threatening or imminent dangers, but they certainly can affect your quality of life, as well as your appearance, which is held in high regard in today’s aesthetically concerned society. These additional health and well being benefits to smoking cessation are as follows :

1.) Your skin is greatly affected by smoking, and not in a good way as you can probably imagine. As we age, our skin cell turnover tends to slow down. Smoking actually speeds the process of this slower turnover up, making us essentially age faster.

Add to this the fact that smoking essentially robs our body of oxygen and creates more free radicals, which are skin’s number one enemy and aging’s number one comrade, and you have a recipe for accelerated aging, and sagging, colorless skin.

Most women see a marked improvement in the tone, clarity and firmness of their skin just a few weeks after they quit smoking, especially if they were a heavy smoker.

2.) Your teeth and mouth will thank you. Smoking not only gives you bad breath, but it also turns your teeth yellow, or sometimes even brown from nicotine residue and tabacco staining.

3.) Quitting smoking can greatly help with your mental state. What do I mean? I mean that smoking may seem at first like it is a relaxant, since it tends to immediately feel like it is relieving tension and anxiety once the cigarette is in your mouth and you begin to inhale. Contrary to this belief that cigarettes “calm” you, studies have shown that in the long run smoking actually increases anxiety.

We all know that depression and anxiety tend to go hand in hand, so quitting smoking may also greatly benefit a woman’s psyche.

4.) No more coughing, weezing, and possibly even a reduction in allergies. If you quit smoking, chances are you will breathe a lot easier.

It takes a lot less time for your lungs to heal than you think. Studies have shown that even the most blackened smoker’s lungs have made full recoveries within just a few months after they have quit smoking.

Copyright 2006 Danna Schneider

By: Danna Schneider

Finding the right resources for women without appropriate health insurance coverage is a very important task. There are dedicated organizations that provide useful services on this issue. For example, the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) and the National Women’s Health Information Center are some of the organizations that are dedicated to women’s medical challenges. They also provide rich and useful information for women in great need of health care assistance.

If you live in the United States and you are a woman without health insurance, the SWHR offers useful information on the following schemes:

• The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. They give free or relatively cheap mammograms and Pap tests for women of 39yrs and above.
• Maternal and Child Services. They give medical care women with low income and who are pregnant with children that are below the age of 22.
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC). They give quality teachings on nutrition and child care for low-income, breastfeeding, and postpartum women. WIC also gives medical protection for children that are under the age of 5.

Any woman that does not qualify for government-sponsored care services can get care from free clinics, prescription drug assistance systems or temporary state insurance. There are many of such assisting programs; this is just to name a few.

Women are advised to get quality health insurance programs. This is very important considering their medical needs as they become mothers. Note that getting quality medical coverage does not mean it should be very expensive. Consult leading health insurance companies and their agents, compare their free quotes and request for a free professional consultation service on your medical cover needs.

Where To Get Leading Health Insurance Companies, Compare Their Free Quotes and Choose Your Ideal and Affordable Medical Insurance Policy Online?

By: Iyke Phelim

When it comes to women’s health one needs to be sure they are on the knowing side. There are many things that can go wrong and being educated will help you to prevent these things from happening to you or your loved ones. Yearly exams are one of the most important things you can do to prevent. If something does not feel right then it is a must to see the doctor. Early action is the best way to make sure that anything that is found can be taken care of fast. A healthy lifestyle will also help to prevent some diseases and illnesses that women are more prone to. How you live your life can really effect your over all health.

Your Breast Health

When it comes to women’s health, the health of your breasts is essential. There are so many risk factors when it comes to cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most devastating women’s diseases in the world. There are many things in life you cannot control when it comes to breast cancer, such as family predisposition and chance. However, there are many things you can do to help lower your risk factors. Monthly self-breast exams are probably one of the best ways for early detection. If you ever feel anything that is not normal for you in a breast exam you should call your doctor immediately. Mammograms are also very important and should be given to all women over 35 years old or those who are at high risk every year. Other ways to lower your risk of breast cancer is to not smoke, eat right, and not over use hormonal birth control.

HPV and Cervical Cancer

Another very hot topic in women’s health today is HPV or human papillomavirus. This is an STD that can invade the skin and mucous membranes. With over 40 different types of HPV you can get a range of reactions. Some forms do absolutely nothing and you do not know you have it. Other types cause genital warts, which can be transferred to other sexual partners. The worst type can cause cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and cervix, with the highest risk in cervical cancers. Cervical cancer is severely invasive and can not only effect whether a woman will be able to keep her reproductive organs and have children, but can even take her life. It is extremely important for every woman to have yearly pap smears for early detection. Over 90 percent of the cases of HPV will have “cured” themselves in two years. This means that the virus will run it’s course and your immune system will have it destroyed.

Women And Heart Disease

One of the leading killers of women today is heart disease. Once thought to be a man’s issue has now had a huge impact on women’s health. We now live in an age where women are just as high at risk as men now. Women have the same amount of stress and use products that also put them at higher risk, such as hormonal birth control. The best way to prevent heart disease is to eat right and get plenty of exercise. You will also want to not smoke, reduce stress, and avoid prolonged hormonal birth control use.

By: Linda Farington