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The first signs and symptoms of withdrawal from smoking usually appear within hours of quitting and are very intense in the first few days, improving over time. Changes in mood, anger, anxiety and apathy usually appear, as well as headache, tiredness, a strong desire to smoke again, difficulty concentrating and increased appetite.
However, the time that these symptoms take to appear vary according to each person and the degree of dependence, and it can take up to 48 hours to appear after smoking the last cigarette, and can also be felt by hookah smokers, once that this hookah can be as or more addictive than the cigarette itself. See the health risks of smoking hookah.
Withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms, also known as nicotine withdrawal syndrome, can appear about 12 hours after smoking cessation due to a lack of nicotine in the body, especially when the person is highly dependent. The main withdrawal symptoms are:
1. Irritability
The cigarette often works as an "escape valve", a way to de-stress. So, when I quit smoking, it is possible that the person became more irritated and upset in situations that before did not seem to matter so much. Because of this, it is recommended that when quitting smoking the person should look for another habit that will help them to relax and feel better.
2. Dizziness and increased sweating
Dizziness and increased sweat production are common in case of withdrawal, because the body no longer receives stimuli from some hormones due to the reduction of nicotine. Because of this, it is recommended that lighter clothing be worn so that the body is more ventilated and the sweating is not so excessive.
If dizziness also occurs, it is recommended that the person sit down and drink a calming tea, as it can help to reduce discomfort.
3. Increased appetite
Lack of cigarettes can cause anxiety and, as a result of this psychological change, there may be an increase in appetite in an attempt to relieve anxiety symptoms. Cigarettes have components that inhibit hunger and also make the person lose their taste and feel the real taste of food, and when they stop smoking, after a few days, the person regains his taste and the desire to eat .
Therefore, in this situation it is recommended that fiber-rich foods, such as oats and wheat bran, be consumed, which can be easily added to yogurt and meals, for example.
Know what to eat so you don't get fat after quitting watching the following video:
4. Chest tightness and cough
As a consequence of the decrease in the amount of circulating nicotine it is also possible that there is tightness in the chest, which may be related to emotional factors.
The cough, which many people have due to lung changes caused by smoking, may have a slight increase in the first days after quitting, and then there is a gradual improvement due to the increase in the amount of air that reaches the lungs. The consumption of water and teas helps to relieve cough and reduce the feeling of tightness in the chest.
5. Nasal discharge
In some cases it is also possible that the sensation of a runny nose may appear, however this should pass in a few days. It is important to keep the nostrils clean, using saline to clean and relieve discomfort.
6. Insomnia
Insomnia is also related to anxiety and changes in central nervous system stimulating hormones generated by the lack of cigarettes.To combat this symptom, you can have a chamomile or passionflower tea at night, before bed, to help improve the quality of sleep. However, if that is not enough, you can talk to the doctor and ask for a medication to help you sleep better.
7. Constipation
Constipation can also happen as a consequence of stopping the use of cigarettes and, therefore, to improve the intestine it is important to consume laxative fruits, such as papaya and plum, and drink plenty of water during the day to humidify the fecal cake and facilitate the your exit.
The withdrawal crisis lasts an average of 1 month, varying according to each person and the amount of cigarettes he smokes, and it is the worst phase of the process of quitting. However, after 2 or 3 months it is already possible to live better without smoking and without withdrawal crises.
Health benefits
Although it is difficult to overcome cigarette withdrawal crises, one must always remember the health benefits that stop smoking bring, such as reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, lung cancer or other types of cancer, high blood pressure, cataracts and respiratory diseases. Another benefit brought about by smoking cessation is the increase in fertility in both men and women, in addition to the regulation of the menstrual cycle, which can be affected by the toxic substances of smoking.
Some of these benefits can be felt after a few days without smoking, but it is only after about 5 years that the body is healthy again and free from toxins and harms from smoking. In addition, after about 15 years, the risk of developing lung cancer becomes lower, being equivalent to the risk of a non-smoker developing.
Check out some tips to quit smoking.
Tips and remedies
Some tips that help a lot to stop smoking are to do physical activity regularly, as it releases hormones that give the feeling of pleasure and well-being to the body, chew gum or suck a candy whenever you want to smoke and eat more fruits and vegetables to improve your bowel function.
In addition, some medications may be indicated by the general practitioner or pulmonologist to assist in the process, such as Bupropion and nicotine patches, for example, as they help to control withdrawal symptoms and reduce the desire to smoke, in addition to monitoring with a psychologist or a psychiatrist and help from family and friends. See other medications to help you stop smoking.