A recent study suggests, smokers diagnosed with anxiety disorders had lower quitting rates than smokers who were not diagnosed with anxiety.the Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention conducted a study that found an interesting association between anxiety disorders and the likelihood of successfully quitting smoking.

The study consisted of 1,504 smokers. Subjects were eligible to participate if they smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day for 6 months and expressed a desire to quit. the results showed that the participants with anxiety disorders had higher nicotine dependence than the participants without anxiety disorders.

All participants completed surveys concerning demographics, smoking history, and previous attempts to quit. Experts also administered a test to the participants to diagnose their mental health, which determined if they had general anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, or no anxiety.  The participants were randomly assigned to receive different treatments that either consisted of one quitting aid, a combination of aids, or a placebo. Quitting rates were evaluated by following up with the patients 8 weeks and 6 months after quitting.  Additionally, a smokerlyzer device was used to determine the amount of carbon monoxide in the participants’ systems.

Each anxiety group reported more withdrawal symptoms and higher fatigue rates than the non-anxiety group, but the participants with multiple anxiety disorders reported the highest. the non-anxious participants had the highest rate of quitting at the 8 week follow-up and the 6 month follow-up, while the participants with multiple anxiety disorders had the lowest quitting rate at the 6 month follow-up.  And while there was a significant difference in quitting success between the non-anxious participants who received quitting aids and the placebo treatment, there was no difference amongst the anxious participants.

The results of this study demonstrate that habitual smoking may be caused by more factors than nicotine addiction. A study conducted in Australia also found that depressed and anxious teenagers were twice as likely to start smoking than their peers, especially teenage girls.  Another study found that smoking may also increase depressive symptoms in teens.  These studies suggest that it is imperative for smokers diagnosed with anxiety to treat the psychological disorder along with the physical addiction in order to quit successfully.  It is also important to address the negative effects of nicotine use to prevent susceptible individuals from using smoking as an unhealthy psychological and emotional aid.

Carbon monoxide is produced when fuel-burning appliances are incorrectly fitted, badly repaired, poorly maintained or if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked. It is odourless, tasteless and colourless, which makes it difficult to detect.

Symptoms include vomiting, headaches, nausea, muscle aches and exhaustion, while high levels of carbon monoxide can cause suffocation within hours.

People are most at risk during the winter months due to the increased use of boilers and central heating.

In fact 84 per cent of all carbon monoxide deaths in the UK occur during the period from November to March. However, because the symptoms are unspecific, it is often confused with common winter bugs and infections such as the norovirus.

?Unfortunately, the symptoms can be very vague and easily mistaken for flu,? explains Daily Express GP Rosemary Leonard. ?They can also include sore throats and dizziness but people don?t tend to get the high temperature associated with common bugs or infections so that is a sign to look out for.

?When doctors suspect patients may have been exposed to carbon monoxide a quick blood test will rule it out. if there are high levels of carbon monoxide present then the patient needs to be given oxygen to re-oxygenate the blood.

?In some cases this can mean a hospital stay. Long-term exposure to low amounts can have lasting effects such as heart damage.

?Other patients may suffer confusion and memory loss which will in most cases come back in time.?

Making sure your home is well ventilated is vital and experts recommend homeowners regularly check their flue is not blocked and check the colour of flames in gas appliances. A bright orange flame should be checked immediately.

?Appliances should be serviced regularly to ensure they are working properly,? says Tim Jack. ?Everyone should check their flue is clear of debris and blockages and if you are feeling ill in any way ask your doctor for a COHb (carboxy-haemoglobin) test.

?Purchase a certified audible carbon monoxide detector. there are some very cheap ones on the market but many don?t have a loud alarm and don?t alert to the dangers in time.

?When buying an alarm look for the certified number EN 50291 on the front of the unit, usually in ink or printed on a sticker.?

For further advice visit becarbonmonoxideaware.com or cogdem.org.uk