Smoking cigarettes is dangerous for your health. Cancer, heart disease and lung diseases are all hazards of smoking. If you quit smoking, the risk of these conditions will decline over time. Smoking cessation, or the process of quitting smoking, has some associated withdrawal symptoms that can make the process more challenging, but remember that these symptoms are temporary and don't have any long-term effects.
Causes
Nicotine, one of the ingredients in cigarettes, is addictive. When you smoke, nicotine gets into your lungs and is absorbed into your bloodstream. Within seconds from inhalation, the nicotine-laced blood reaches your brain, which is where nicotine begins to affect your body's systems. Nicotine both stimulates and depresses the systems of the body, notes Medline Plus. It stimulates the heart and increases your heart rate. It also increases alertness, memory and blood pressure but suppresses appetite. Nicotine also can help to reduce the symptoms of depression and may produce a good feeling. These effects are what cause withdrawal symptoms when you quit smoking.
Symptoms
Cravings for nicotine, irritability, headaches, anger, depression, weight gain, altered sleep patterns and difficultly concentrating are some of the symptoms of smoking cessation. Additional symptoms include bad breath, restlessness, loneliness, hunger, boredom, fatigue, dizziness, cough and dry throat and/or mouth.
Time Frame
The symptoms of withdrawal start within hours of smoking your last cigarette. Generally, withdrawal symptoms peak two to three days after quitting, notes Medline Plus, but they can last two to three weeks. However, it may take 12 weeks before you are completely comfortable with your life as a non-smoker, according to the Lung Association of Saskatchewan. Although you might experience withdrawal symptoms throughout the entire 12 weeks, they will likely decrease as time passes.
Prevention/Solution
If withdrawal symptoms are severe or if you feel you need help to quit, over-the-counter and prescription smoking cessation aids are available. These include patches, gum, inhalers, lozenges and pills. QuitTobacco notes that some smoking cessation products contain nicotine and others don't. If you choose a product with nicotine, you cannot use any tobacco products at the same time. Regardless of the product you choose, follow the directions precisely. If you have any medical conditions, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist before using any of these products.
