Over the years there has been a great deal of research conducted concerning the effects of smoking. Overwhelmingly, the evidence shows that smoking has a severe negative impact on health. It is responsible for raising the risk of all kinds of serious diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and more. In a recent study, researchers found that smoking also makes it more likely for a person to suffer a bleeding stroke.
About the Study
Researchers in Finland gathered data from approximately 16,000 pairs of twins who were the same gender. They were all born prior to 1958 and followed for an average of 42 years. During that time, 120 of the participants died from a kind of bleeding stroke in which the bleeding occurs under the membrane that surrounds the brain. This kind of stroke is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Of those people, the median age of death was 61.
The data collected indicated that those who smoke had a three times higher risk of suffering a subarachnoid hemorrhage than non-smokers. These results are significant because the researchers discovered that the increased risk held true whether the person had high blood pressure, was female, or engaged in regular physical activity.
Tips for Quitting Smoking
If your aging relative smokes, helping them to quit is one of the best things a family caregiver can do to improve their health. Quitting smoking is difficult and may require medical treatment. A doctor can talk to the older adult about medications and other smoking cessation techniques.
In addition to talking to the doctor, some other tips for helping a senior to quit smoking are:
* Avoid situations in which the older adult normally smokes. For example, if they typically smoke a cigarette while sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee, shake up the routine to avoid that scenario such as by serving coffee in a different room.
* Create a support system by telling people who spend a lot of time with the older adult that they are trying to quit.
* Encourage the older adult to join a support group where they can talk to other people who are also trying to quit.
* Use distractions when the urge to smoke occurs. Engage the senior in an activity, such as making a craft or helping with a household task.
Home care can be a part of your older family member’s support system while they quit smoking. A home care provider can celebrate successes with the senior and encourage them when they are having a difficult time. In addition, a home care provider can also keep them busy with activities, tasks, and outings to prevent them from smoking.
Sources: https://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20200917/smoking-ups-your-risk-of-a-fatal-brain-bleed
https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/ss/slideshow-13-best-quit-smoking-tips-ever
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking/in-depth/nicotine-craving/art-20045454