Smoking was one pastime that I picked up in my teens but really got a hold of me in my 20s. Whenever I was out I'd have a cigarette in my hand, and even when the smoking bans came in at workplaces and then in pubs, I'd still be sneaking outside to smoke. At my peak, I'd be on around 30 a day although the nature of my work was such that I'd often work from home: then I would smoke more.
I was aware that my body couldn't sustain that kind of habit and so I signed up to a smoking cessation group run from my local hospital. I found it helped me to cut down as I was among empathetic types eager to quit too. Around the same time, I visited my GP after experiencing some chest palpitations. He sent me for a scan and results revealed that I suffered from a block in my coronary artery. The doctor told me what I already knew and the next day I ditched my fags and cleared the house of smoking paraphernalia.
I tried using an e-cigarette to begin with, more to replace the habit of having something in my hand. But I found it wasn't terribly satisfying in combating the cravings which, although waning, would still occur, especially when I was out having a drink. Instead I tried a nicotine inhaler. I still carry that with me though it's more of a psychological crutch now.
I alerted friends to the fact that I'd quit and they were really supportive and encouraging. A couple of them got me back into playing tennis and badminton – both of which I'd not done for years but, because of that addictive nature of mine, I'm now back into big time. Whenever I feel the urge to have a cigarette – in bars or when on holiday especially – I'll pop one of the mints I always take with me.
I've found I have more time for more creative ventures too – I've got into painting and cooking. I'm even earning more which I put down to no longer wasting time smoking.
Tweak your lifestyle for better health
Just as small changes to your lifestyle can help you quit smoking, you can take small steps to reduce your risk of bladder weakness too. It's a condition that affects about one in nine men in the UK, from their 40s onwards. Here are three tips; for more, visit guardian.co.uk/livingwell.
• Ditch the cigarettes Quitting smoking is the most effective single move you can make to improve your health: it can also help reduce the symptoms of bladder weakness. For some men, the associated coughing that comes with smoking can put pressure on the bladder. Plus, tobacco has been shown to aggravate problems with the urinary tract.
• Change your drinking habits That pint, shot of whisky or glass of red is a diuretic, which means it causes you to urinate more often – not ideal when your bladder is already weak. If you must drink alcohol, do it in moderation and try to reduce caffeine and acidic fruit juices too. For example, have vodka with lots of tonic instead of Coke or orange juice.
• Guard Yourself Try TENA Men a range of discreet products engineered to combat the symptoms and the varying severity of bladder weakness. They feature a unique Lock Away Core™ system which contains micro-absorbents that lock in liquid, keeping it away from the body.
