Smoking cessation represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives. But quitting smoking is easier said than done. When you suddenly quit smoking, it sets off a series of uncomfortable physical and psychological effects. Since these effects are hard to resist, the smoker often recommences his smoking habit. To have the best chance of quitting successfully, it is important that you realize the true dangers of nicotine on the body, how to deal with undesirable after effects of quitting smoking and - most importantly - how to overcome the withdrawal symptoms and stay away from smoking.
Nicotine, a drug found in cigarettes, is highly addictive - in fact as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Hence, in no time a person becomes physically and emotionally addicted to and sometimes dependent on nicotine. Nicotine produces pleasant feelings that make the smoker want to smoke more. As the nervous system adapts to nicotine, smokers tend to increase the number of cigarettes they smoke, and therefore the amount of nicotine in their blood. Over time, the smoker reaches a certain nicotine level and then smokes to maintain this level of nicotine. When such a smoker suddenly tries to quit, the nicotine levels in the body drops and creates an irresistible urge to surge back. These effects can lead the smoker to start smoking cigarettes again to boost blood levels of nicotine back to a level where there are no symptoms.
When smokers try to cut back or quit, the lack of nicotine leads to certain characteristic withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are especially obvious in the case of chain smokers who suddenly stop using tobacco or greatly reduce the amount smoked. These effects of quitting smoking that generally start within a few hours of the last cigarette and peak about 2 to 3 days later, may include depression, sleep disturbances, irritability, headache, fatigue and increased appetite. Some people may also experience conditions like restlessness, dizziness and feelings of frustration and anger. In most people, these symptoms can last for a few days to up to several weeks.
The withdrawal symptoms can be both physiological and emotional. While physically the body reacts to the absence of nicotine, the smoker is mentally faced with giving up a habit that may seem like a major behaviour makeover. Studies have shown that smokers must deal with both the physical and psychological dependence to be successful at quitting and staying quit. Both these effects must be adequately addressed for a successful quitting process to work.
Nicotine, a drug found in cigarettes, is highly addictive - in fact as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Hence, in no time a person becomes physically and emotionally addicted to and sometimes dependent on nicotine. Nicotine produces pleasant feelings that make the smoker want to smoke more. As the nervous system adapts to nicotine, smokers tend to increase the number of cigarettes they smoke, and therefore the amount of nicotine in their blood. Over time, the smoker reaches a certain nicotine level and then smokes to maintain this level of nicotine. When such a smoker suddenly tries to quit, the nicotine levels in the body drops and creates an irresistible urge to surge back. These effects can lead the smoker to start smoking cigarettes again to boost blood levels of nicotine back to a level where there are no symptoms.
When smokers try to cut back or quit, the lack of nicotine leads to certain characteristic withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are especially obvious in the case of chain smokers who suddenly stop using tobacco or greatly reduce the amount smoked. These effects of quitting smoking that generally start within a few hours of the last cigarette and peak about 2 to 3 days later, may include depression, sleep disturbances, irritability, headache, fatigue and increased appetite. Some people may also experience conditions like restlessness, dizziness and feelings of frustration and anger. In most people, these symptoms can last for a few days to up to several weeks.
The withdrawal symptoms can be both physiological and emotional. While physically the body reacts to the absence of nicotine, the smoker is mentally faced with giving up a habit that may seem like a major behaviour makeover. Studies have shown that smokers must deal with both the physical and psychological dependence to be successful at quitting and staying quit. Both these effects must be adequately addressed for a successful quitting process to work.
0 comments:
Post a Comment