The history of tobacco smoking dates back several millennia. There is also in our country, where tobacco is very popular. The majority of the population suffers from nicotine addiction, although everyone knows that this habit is harmful to the body. Tobacco use continues, but many are trying to break the killing habit. Only a small percentage are successful. Information about what happens to your body when you stop smoking will become an additional motivation and will make it easier to reach your goal.
Health effects of smoking
When you constantly inhale tobacco smoke, the following happens to your body:
- heart rate increases;
- blood pressure rises;
- gastric mucosa irritated;
- the brain experiences starvation with oxygen;
- immunity is reduced;
- develops difficulty breathing, chronic cough appears;
- Teeth turn yellow.
This is just a small list, but in fact smoking affects almost all organs and systems of the human body. The result is a huge risk of lung cancer, heart attack or stroke. And the more common diseases are not taken into account: tracheitis, bronchitis, hypertension, gastritis and others.
It should be understood that the human psyche also suffers from tobacco. Cigarette addiction, which develops to a greater or lesser extent in every smoker, is a characteristic form of drug addiction.
Damage to tobacco combustion products
To understand what happens to the body when you quit smoking, you need to know what tobacco smoke is. When a cigarette is lit, about 4, 000 different chemical compounds are released. Among them are:
- acetone;
- carbon monoxide;
- hydrogen cyanide;
- lead; arsenic;
- antimony.
There is a very toxic substance that belongs to the first class of danger - benzopyrene. And carcinogens have a detrimental effect on the body. They are the ones who provoke the appearance of tumors. Nicotine is slightly involved in the structure of tobacco, but it is one of the most dangerous enemies. Thanks to this substance, an unhealthy addiction to smoking appears.
What will happen to the person?
Realizing that smoking is harmful, people try to get rid of these weaknesses. However, it is necessary to assume in advance that both positive and negative sides will appear. If you stop smoking, the following positive changes will occur:
- will breathe easier;
- new powers will appear;
- food will taste light;
- will sharpen your sense of smell;
- face will get a healthy complexion.
But when you stop smoking, there are negative manifestations:
- blood pressure decreases;
- is dominated by weakness and apathy;
- emotional instability (everything is boring, it is impossible to fall asleep, depression);
- weight gain;
- dizziness, headache.
Of course, not every person will have certain symptoms. The body is so individual that it is impossible to predict its reaction. But in general, everyone goes through approximately the same processes.
If a woman stops smoking, the consequences for her are no different, except perhaps in a more labile psycho-emotional state, because the fairer sex is naturally in the mood of men. How to quit smoking during pregnancy?
What happens to the body?
When you stop smoking, recovery is seen in almost all organs and tissues. Finally, harmful substances begin to be gradually eliminated. But what exactly are the consequences and benefits of quitting smoking? The main changes that occur in the body of a woman or man after giving up cigarettes:
- oxygenated blood;
- vasoconstriction is removed;
- inspiratory volume becomes larger;
- improves the brain's oxygen supply, improves concentration, thought processes and memory.
Such processes have positive effects on the body:
- the risk of thrombosis is minimized;
- increases immunity;
- After a year, the risk of heart attack or stroke will begin to decrease.
Of course, positive changes do not happen in a few days, some time must pass. But the main thing is to quit smoking, at least to start this process. And you won’t have to wait long for positive changes. Although you need to adjust to overcome the difficulties, especially if the tobacco has been abused for a long time.
When nicotine and other harmful substances contained in tobacco smoke stop entering the body, the results appear in just one hour. On the one hand, they are positive - the dose of nicotine in the blood is reduced by 50%. On the other hand, it is not very pleasant - there is a desire to smoke again. This stage must be endured and then the blood will be further purified after ten hours. And after thirteen hours the vessels will react and the pressure will normalize.
Per day
Now let’s understand what happens to the body every day when you stop smoking.
- When the day passes, there will be practically no carbon monoxide in the blood, because nicotine is completely metabolized in the body. The psychoemotional state will be moderately anxious.
- On the second day a person often has disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, constipation; taste buds become more sensitive. The mood will be unstable, insomnia will appear.
- After the third day, the brain and heart will be better supplied with blood. Dopamine levels will gradually increase as they decrease by 15-20% during smoking
- After four days, the body's condition will stabilize. But intestinal peristalsis reacts negatively to the absence of nicotine. Psychoemotionally, there is a real "withdrawal", irritability increases. To reduce it, appropriate medications are used.
- At the end of the fifth day, coughing becomes easier. Recovery begins in the mucous membrane of the mouth, which is reflected in the improvement of food taste.
- After the sixth day, the functions of the digestive system are normalized. The nervous system is still excited, thirst is constantly felt.
- Seven days - on this day there is a strong emptiness inside. At the physiological level, intestinal activity is normalized, although stool disorders can sometimes recur. Appetite increases significantly and heartburn may occur.
Monthly
When I stop smoking, the consequences for the body by months are as follows.
- First. Regeneration of the bronchial mucosa occurs, immunity increases. The skin completely loses the yellow color characteristic of smokers. Appetite is increased, which contributes to weight gain. Coughing and shortness of breath occur, especially in the morning. Also, occasional headaches, dizziness, sudden changes in pressure. The affection is still strong. This is expressed in a depressed mood. Friendly support is needed.
- The second is the fourth. The brain functions better and appetite stabilizes.
- Fifth - eighth. The recovery process continues in the respiratory system. The cough almost stops.
- Ninth. This is a turning point when you want to go back to a bad habit. It is necessary to avoid provocative situations and communicate more with nature.
- Tenth - twelfth. Health strengthens, you can afford your body serious physical activity. The emotional background is quite stable. The risk of serious diseases is reduced.
Is it safe to give up cigarettes after 40 years?
There is such an idea: if you stop smoking after 40 years, the consequences for the body will be unpredictable. But what happens to a person when he stops smoking after 40? The absence of tobacco strongly affects the psycho-emotional state: apathy occurs, efficiency decreases. If you stop smoking after a long-term addiction, then the negative temporary consequences are more pronounced: cough, shortness of breath, airway obstruction with bronchial mucus, weakness, and even fainting - all of which can cause significant discomfort.
To reduce unpleasant symptoms, you should consult a doctor for medication. Despite all the negative symptoms, the benefits of smoking cessation are much greater.
Conclusion
- When you stop smoking, there are various consequences for the body. They are expressed in both positive aspects (improvement of brain function, reduction of the risk of stroke and heart attack) and in negative ones (lowering of blood pressure, weakness, cough, shortness of breath, nervousness, stool disorders).
- The main thing is that giving up this bad habit reduces the risk of acquiring or developing serious diseases in the future.