How your body reacts when you quit tobacco or nicotine
Kicking the habit isn’t easy. But if you’re able to quit smoking or vaping, you may notice some small improvements right away. Maybe you’re less out of breath during everyday activities or your sense of smell is better. There are also changes going on that you can’t see — from the moment you take your last puff.
If you’re a current user of tobacco or nicotine, maybe now is the time to decide if you’re ready to start your smoke-free life. You can join thousands of smokers across the country in taking the first step during the Great American Smokeout® on November 21. You can also enroll in the Costco Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation Program to get coaching and support to help you on your journey.
The top 10 reasons to get regular dental and vision exams
Did you know that getting regular dental cleanings can reduce your chances of ending up in the hospital by up to 28%?
That’s a great reason to schedule your annual dental appointment (and eye exam) before the year is over. If you need more motivation, check out the “top ten” list below. While some of the reasons may be familiar to you, others may be surprising — and may motivate you to get these exams on your calendar every year.
If you haven’t gotten your two yearly dental cleanings or haven’t had your eyes checked this year, there’s still time to schedule your annual visits. Dental exams and cleanings are covered at 100% when you’re enrolled in a Costco dental plan and see an in-network dental provider. Your Costco benefits also offer an allowance toward your annual eye exam and $175 per year toward the cost of prescribed eyewear (this amount can be spread out over the whole calendar year and doesn’t need to be used all at once).
At your teeth cleaning, your dental hygienist removes the plaque and tartar deposits that are too hard to get to during regular brushing. Left unchecked, these can cause cavities, tooth loss, gum disease and other issues.
Catches dental concerns early
Annual visits allow your dentist to catch cavities and other concerns early, when they’re easier and less costly to treat. For example, a simple filling today could require a surgical extraction and expensive implant if left untreated.
Improves cancer outcomes
Recent research shows that people diagnosed with throat, nasal cavity, and other head and neck cancers have a 30% higher survival rate 10 years after their diagnosis if they visited their dentist regularly.1
Lowers risk of early delivery during pregnancy
Pregnant women who have good oral hygiene and routinely visit their dentist are less likely to experience premature delivery, a baby with low birth weight and preeclampsia.2
Impacts heart health
Poor oral health can increase the risk of heart disease, such as heart attack or stroke. Research suggests that bacteria present in gum disease can travel through the bloodstream to trigger inflammation and infection in the heart.
Vision
Improves eyesight
A comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist is the best way to determine if you need corrective lenses and check whether your current prescription has changed. These exams can also identify common conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness).
Detects eye diseases
Many diseases of the eyes don’t have symptoms but can lead to vision loss if untreated. Your eye doctor can identify early warning signs and help treat conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Identifies other health concerns
Issues spotted in the eye are often the first signs of medical conditions throughout the body. Some of these conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Makes learning easier for kids
Good vision is helpful to the learning process. An eye exam can detect any concern that may be getting in the way of your child’s school performance.
Keeps you safer
Whether you’re driving a car, operating a forklift or using other machinery, you need to see what you’re doing. Being able to see clearly helps keep you and others out of harm’s way.
Feeling more motivated? Schedule your exams today. And if you use tobacco or nicotine, read on.
Quitting nicotine is good for your teeth and eyes, too
If you smoke or vape, you are at a higher risk for gum disease and tooth loss. The risk of developing dry eye syndrome and cataracts also goes up. Try the Costco Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation Program for support to help you quit nicotine products for good. To get started, log in to Costcobenefits.com then click this link.
Check out the resources below to keep your teeth and eyes healthy.
1Health. Regular dental visits linked to increased survival rates for head, neck cancer patients. 2NIH National Library of Medicine. Oral care in pregnancy.
There are a lot of misconceptions about men’s health. You may have heard some yourself. And while many aren’t harmful — no, wearing a hat won’t make you go bald — others can lead to more serious health issues.
Clearing up these myths is an important first step. Here are five you should pay attention to.
Although breast cancer is most often found in women, 2,800 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with the disease each year. Most men don’t know they can get this type of cancer, so they may ignore early warning signs, such as a lump or swelling in the breast. Their condition may go untreated until the disease has progressed and they have more severe symptoms.
Risk factors for men include having a family history of breast cancer, an inherited gene, obesity and age. Getting tested regularly can help men control their risk and seek appropriate treatment if necessary.
Myth #2: Erectile dysfunction (ED) only affects older men.
This common condition is nothing to feel insecure about. Nearly 40% of men are affected with ED by age 40. While the decrease in testosterone that happens as you get older can play a part, there are a wide range of factors that can cause ED in men of all ages.
Findings show that 71% of men who have experienced issues related to sexual health, including ED, have also been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or diabetes. In addition, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can put men at a higher risk of developing symptoms. Other causes include tobacco use, cannabis use, alcohol or other substance misuse, and certain prescription drugs.
Fortunately, you can make these lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of ED symptoms:
Exercise regularly.
Quit tobacco and nicotine products.
Drink alcohol and use cannabis in moderation.
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains.
Maintain a healthy weight.
There are also a variety of treatment options available. Talk to your doctor about the best option for you.
Myth #3: There’s no benefit to seeing a doctor once a year.
It’s common for men to think they don’t need to see a doctor on a regular basis. But annual physical exams are important for men of all ages, not just when they need a colon or prostate cancer screening, or when there’s a health concern.
Testicular cancer disproportionally affects men in their 20s and 30s. Other threats include early heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Regular checkups are an opportunity to identify health concerns early when they’re easier — and less expensive — to treat.
Establishing a relationship with a primary care provider (PCP) as a young adult can benefit you throughout your life. Your doctor will know your health history and what diseases you may be at risk for. Finding someone you can trust early on can help you as you age and your health needs change.
Myth #4: If you don’t have any symptoms, you don’t have prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer affects 1 in every 9 men as they age and often doesn’t cause any symptoms until it reaches a more advanced state. One of the ways to reduce your risk is with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening test, especially if you’re 55 or older.
If men do have symptoms, the most common are blood in the urine, the need to urinate often or the inability to urinate at all, and pain in the lower back, hips and upper thighs. While these symptoms may be caused by other health concerns, be sure to tell your doctor if you experience them.
You can take steps now to reduce your risk of getting prostate cancer by maintaining a healthy weight and staying active. Choose a low-fat diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. And aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
Myth #5: Depression and anxiety are signs of weakness.
Nearly 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety. These are serious health conditions that have nothing to do with being weak or lacking willpower. Much like a physical illness, depression and anxiety can happen to anyone regardless of social class, income level or intelligence.
Symptoms of these mental health conditions often look different in men. They may include feeling restless, tense, irritated or isolated, working all the time or having very little energy, not seeing value in what you do, or experiencing headaches, insomnia and digestive issues. Men may avoid treatment because they worry the stigma of mental illness will cause them to lose the respect of family or friends.
But ignoring depression and anxiety, staying busy or thinking you can just handle it isn’t a solution. These efforts won’t make the condition go away and could lead to more serious challenges. Fortunately, there are proven treatments, including therapy and medication, that can help.
Know the truth
Knowing the truth about men’s health can help you take better care of yourself. Your Costco benefits are there to provide the right care, whenever needed.
“It helps me relax.” “It calms me down.” “It gives me energy.” “It helps me concentrate.” This is what nicotine can do, according to some users. Thinking this way can make giving up nicotine even harder, since you may worry that your mental health will suffer if you quit. But recent studies show the opposite is true: Quitting nicotine may improve your mental health.
Nicotine, an active ingredient in tobacco and e-cigarettes, can briefly improve your mood. Within minutes of inhaling cigarette smoke, vape mist or using chewing tobacco, nicotine causes the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with positive feelings. Nicotine may also trigger the release of adrenaline, which can give you a surge of energy or focus.
How nicotine affects your mood, long-term
The positive effects of nicotine are short-lived. When nicotine levels drop, you may feel irritable, anxious and restless. Smoke another cigarette or take another chew, and these feelings go away. People perceive this decrease in distress as a benefit of using nicotine products as opposed to what is truly happening — that the distress is a symptom of nicotine withdrawal. This cycle of positive and negative symptoms helps drive nicotine addiction.
“Smokers often believe that cigarettes are the crutch they need when they feel low, but there is good reason to think that smoking is actually making them feel worse,” says Dr. Gemma Taylor, an epidemiologist and behavioral scientist at the University of Bath.
Mental health effects of quitting
In a study published last year, smoking cessation was associated with significant improvements in anxiety and depression among people both with and without mental health conditions.1 This corresponds with a recent scientific review of over 102 studies that concluded that, contrary to smokers’ fears, quitting smoking did not worsen depression, anxiety and symptoms of stress.2
Some evidence suggests that the beneficial effects of quitting nicotine on symptoms of anxiety and depression can equal that of taking antidepressants.3 This is also reflected in self-reports of improved mood and quality of life.
“From our evidence, we see that the link between smoking cessation and mood seems to be similar in a range of people,” says Dr. Taylor. “Get past the withdrawal that many smokers feel when they stop, and better mental health is on the other side.”
Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can last from several days to a month. The first week is the most difficult, when headaches, cravings and insomnia are most prevalent. Symptoms will taper off the longer you go without nicotine. Nicotine replacement therapy can provide relief.
How to quit
Whether you have a diagnosed mental health condition or not, quitting nicotine in all its forms is good for your overall well-being. Costco’s Tobacco Cessation Program can help. With this program, Mainland and Hawaii employees enrolled in a Costco medical plan work one-on-one with a Costco pharmacist to create a personalized plan to quit nicotine for good. Enrolled employees in Puerto Rico get the same service through Resources For Living. Both programs offer coaching, support and access to over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy.
Creating an environment to support a nicotine-free lifestyle can also help. Here are some tactics to try:
Practice saying, “I don’t smoke,” “I don’t vape,” or “I don’t use tobacco.”
Ask people not to use cigarettes, vapes or chewing tobacco around you.
Avoid situations where you’d normally light up.
Buy oral substitutes, such as toothpicks, gum or hard candy.
Find a support group for quitting nicotine.
Quitting nicotine can come with a sense of pride or personal satisfaction in knowing you did something good for yourself. That may ladder up to other improvements in your well-being, such as exercising more or spending more quality time with your family. You may also feel a greater sense of inclusion and social well-being. All these things can improve your mood, self-esteem and health.
1Jama Network. Smoking cessation and changes in anxiety and depression in adults with and without psychiatric disorders. 2Cochrane. Does stopping smoking improve mental health? 3BMJ. Change in mental health after smoking cessation: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Sources: WebMD. How quitting smoking affects mental health. Medical News Today. Quitting smoking may improve mental well-being.
If you or a loved one is ready to quit tobacco for good, your Costco benefits are here to help.
No one can do it all themselves. Each of us needs help and community, especially when we’re making changes in our lives. That’s why Costco offers a wide range of benefits resources to help you with all areas of your well-being — so you always feel supported and never feel like you have to do it on your own.
As you gear up to pursue your goals for the year, commit to getting to know your benefits and, if you haven’t already, take the pledge. Encourage your spouse or domestic partner to take it, too. And prepare to celebrate each accomplishment you make along the way.
A strong foundation for emotional, financial and physical well-being
Your Costco benefits provide the care you need to flourish. They can help you:
Live a longer, healthier life
Costco medical and dental plans cover preventive care at 100% when you see an in-network provider. Preventive care includes physical exams, dental checkups and cleanings, some cancer screenings and certain age-appropriate immunizations. This routine care can help you stay well and catch health concerns early, lowering your risk for disease and disability.
Get help for a serious health challenge
Live Healthy Team* Coaches can help employees and their families enrolled in an Aetna® medical plan create an action plan, connect to the right resources and coordinate care when you’re diagnosed with a serious health condition. You can also use 2nd.MD to get a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment plan, and connect with Resources For Living (RFL) to get emotional support services, including counseling and daily life assistance.
Manage a chronic condition
Omada for Diabetes, Hypertension & Prevention provides personalized online programs to help you make healthy choices when living with a chronic condition. You’ll work with a dedicated health coach and a clinical specialist to get the support and tools you need to make simple changes for a healthier life.
Find mental health support
RFL has a team of care partners that can help with challenges such as stress management, work-life balance, relationships, grief, depression, anxiety, substance misuse, self-esteem and personal development. They offer in-person or virtual counseling, daily life assistance, disaster relief, help with child or elder care, and more. You can also use Supportiv for online peer-to-peer support and AbleTo** for help building skills to better cope with life’s challenges.
Deal with parenting challenges
RethinkCare gives your family 24/7 access to tools, webinars and resources to help you understand, teach and better communicate with your children, including those with developmental or learning challenges. You can also try Supportiv for peer-to-peer parenting support.
Quit tobacco or get support for drug and alcohol misuse
Costco Tobacco Cessation Program pairs you with personal support to design a plan to help you quit tobacco for good. And if you or someone in your family is struggling with drugs or alcohol, RFL can help you find in-network rehabilitation facilities and provide behavioral health support services.
Go through a life change
Your Costco benefits are there for you when you’re building a family, buying a home, going through a divorce or coping with the loss of a loved one. Resources to help with these transitions include the Adoption Assistance Program, the Aetna Maternity Program* for help with infertility and postpartum challenges, and RFL for legal and financial consultations and grief counseling.
