Smoking is a drug addiction that is very difficult to deal with. Cigarettes are quickly introduced into the lifestyle and without them a person feels overwhelmed. Anyone who has tried to say goodbye to a destructive habit knows that it is not easy to do. After long-term smoking, the body reacts negatively to the lack of nicotine, so complete rejection of cigarettes is accompanied by a syndrome of "withdrawal". Before you make a difficult decision, you need to know what will happen to the body and how to survive this period.
Advantages and disadvantages of smoking cessation
A person who decides to quit smoking experiences discomfort at the beginning of a difficult journey. The changes scare smokers, so many give up their idea and take a cigarette again. Nicotine deficiency is manifested by various symptoms that indicate the occurrence of stress due to smoking cessation. If the experience of smoking is long, the recovery will be painful and long. The restructuring process is always accompanied by mental and physical discomfort:
- Decreased immunity - a former smoker is prone to frequent colds. If nicotine used to serve as doping, then without it the body gets serious stress. Against that background, ARVI, acne, stomatitis, etc. appear. ;
- There is an intense cough with brown sputum - you don't have to be afraid of it, because thanks to coughing, the airways get rid of soot and soot. Over time, the ciliated epithelium continues to work, expelling mucus and sputum that have accumulated in the bronchi;
- Irritability, nervousness, depression - when nicotine stops entering the body, there is a withdrawal. It takes a few days. During that period, the former smoker closely monitors people who inhale tobacco smoke, dreams of the whole process, the smell drives him crazy and causes a strong desire to smoke. If earlier nicotine activated pleasure receptors, now their work is inhibited. The person shows aggression, breaks down on loved ones. Relatives should support the former smoker, distract him, interest him in new hobbies. Gradually, the craving will decrease, but the desire to smoke will not go anywhere;
- Headaches and abdominal discomfort appear - within a few weeks, the body will be cleansed of the products of nicotine decomposition, due to which the functions of all organs and systems are normalized. Nicotine deficiency leads to vasospasm, abdominal pain and disturbed stools. The unpleasant symptoms will disappear after 2-3 weeks.
A person who has stopped smoking feels great hunger, suffers from insomnia, complains of slow heart rate. He starts rushing for food, which causes excess weight. All these symptoms are accompanied by a bad mood and irritability. But there are also benefits to quitting smoking:
- breathing resumes within 7 days;
- bad breath disappears;
- the sense of smell returns and the taste buds begin to function normally;
- after a month the blue circles under the eyes disappear, the skin becomes more elastic, its color improves;
- blood circulation is normalized, blood vessels are toned, potency improves in men.
Also, the blood is saturated with oxygen which feeds all the cells. As a result, the skin and internal organs are less susceptible to aging. The body is cleansed of toxins and toxins, immunity is increased. After a few weeks, the volume of the lungs returns to normal, and the symptoms of chronic pathologies of the respiratory system often disappear. But the main benefit of smoking cessation is the reduction of the risk of hypertension, lung cancer, stroke and heart attack.
Bitan!
Removing nicotine does not mean completely cleansing the body of decomposition products, which have accumulated over the years. Recovery is gradual, usually over months or sometimes years.
Changes in the body per day
Every narcologist will tell you what is going on in the body of a man who has decided to finally get rid of nicotine addiction. Doctors say that the benefits of quitting smoking are very great, but you will have to be patient while your body recovers. The liver produces endogenous nicotine, which maintains normal metabolism. Tobacco nicotine cannot be compared to your own, and it comes in larger quantities. When the level of the substance falls, the body experiences nicotine starvation, demanding a new dose. If it cannot be obtained from the outside, the liver begins to produce endogenous nicotine again. After 3 days, the person can already do without cigarettes, but the desire still remains.
If we talk about psychological dependence, the situation is more complicated. There are many reasons for the pathological craving for smoking, it can be an innate addiction, difficulty communicating with people, a desire not to stand out, etc. It is difficult to get rid of such an addiction, and the more experience, the harder it will be for a person on the path to a healthy life. The situation is complicated by smoking friends, in whose company you have to be constantly. In order not to look like a "white crow", many again inhale harmful smoke, such a craving lasts for years and does not release a man. A psychotherapist will help to get rid of it, who will discover the causes of pathological addiction and will be able to motivate the patient.
How is the first 10 days without nicotine
Consider how the body recovers after giving up cigarettes and how to monitor it:
- The first day- Blood is purified from carbon monoxide and saturated with oxygen. The person is proud of themselves, confident that they have managed to overcome a bad habit and is ready to go all the way. At this stage, the craving for cigarettes is mild, easily interrupted by suggestions like "I quit smoking. " Sometimes a person has dizziness, weakness, mild anxiety. The first day it is difficult to fall asleep, eat, sleep is shallow and sensitive;
- Other day- ciliated epithelium begins to work better, mucus production in the lungs decreases, the first signs of withdrawal syndrome appear. The euphoria continues, but there is irritability and nervousness. Craving can still be suppressed by self-hypnosis, drowsiness is replaced by energy. At the physiological level, there are changes such as increased appetite, a person is attracted to food with a pronounced taste. The cough intensifies, there is difficulty breathing, stomach cramps, frequent urges to go to the toilet. It is difficult for a person to fall asleep, itching is possible, the skin is tight;
- Third day- Renewal of the bronchi and ciliated epithelium begins. Blood vessels are toned, the craving for nicotine on a physiological level is reduced. On the third day, the nervousness increases, the addiction manifests more, the person does not know how to get distracted and what to do. Disrupts sleep, often interrupted. Appetite increases sharply, the person is attracted to "sweets", belching and heartburn occur. When bending, it turns in the head, the heart "shrinks", noise in the ears. The skin peels, small dry acne can be seen on it;
- Fourth day. Blood flow to the brain is normalized, the stomach and pancreas continue to recover. Aggression is gradually reduced, irritation can be stopped with medication. Many people improve their mood, but distraction is noticed, and sleep is still superficial. Increased blood pressure, tinnitus, mild dizziness are possible. Urination is normalized, but there is constipation. Appetite is reduced, the desire for certain foods is noticeable. The person feels a viscous mucous lump in the throat, coughing occurs. Many develop swelling of the face, fingers and ears;
- Fifth dayno cigarettes - ulcers on the tongue heal, vascular tone is normalized. Some parts of the broncho-pulmonary system are being repaired, and the work of the intestines is still disturbed. On the fifth day, the euphoria disappears, the health condition worsens, and the desire to smoke appears. At this moment, it is easy to get rid of, you cannot succumb to treacherous desires. The food becomes tastier, but this only applies to dairy products, citrus products, etc. Relaxed mucus is felt in the chest area or in the throat, making it difficult to breathe. Viscous dark sputum is coughed up intensely;
- On the sixth dayincreases the secretion of mucus, normalizes the work of the stomach and pancreas. Withdrawal syndrome grows with new strength, crying, insomnia and irritation occur. The man is looking for cigarettes, it is difficult to restrain himself, but it is necessary. Against this background, vegetative disorders in the form of sweating, tremor and nausea are noticeable. Sometimes there is pain in the hypochondrium, bitterness in the oral cavity, increased thirst. Dark mucus continues to cough, threads of blood can be seen in it;
- Seventh day- physical cravings practically disappear, the body works calmly without the usual dose of nicotine. From that day on, complete recovery begins. The person is devastated, but is already aware that smoking is a kind of ritual, not a physical need. It is important to completely protect yourself from everything related to tobacco products. Motivation to quit smoking is restored. The mucus does not disappear, the cough is intense. Bowel tone is normalized, but constipation may occasionally occur. A week without cigarettes has a positive effect on appetite, but heartburn occurs from fatty foods.
Bitan!
The first five days are the hardest for a person who stops smoking. He is experiencing a severe "breakdown". At this point, the risk of fracture is greatest.
The eighth day is characterized by the activation of olfactory and taste buds. The tissues in the lungs continue to recover, but the vessels of the brain have not yet strengthened. The beginning of the second week is calmer on an emotional level. Irritation, aggression and depression are less pronounced. Psychological dependence is still present, sometimes intensifying. The person complains of feelings of separation and loss of something important, sleep is still disturbed. Food takes on a new taste, the person becomes overwhelmed by stress, which is why weight gain is added.
The ninth day is accompanied by an improvement in the condition of the gastric mucosa and digestion. The broncho-pulmonary system continues to regenerate, hematopoiesis normalizes. It is difficult for people who are in the company of smokers to restrain themselves, but the smell of tobacco is already disgusting. Possible heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea replace each other. At this point, it is easy to get ARVI, herpes and an allergic reaction appear.
Tenth day - the recovery process continues, immunity gradually improves. Cigarettes no longer cause painful thoughts, but people who smoke nearby cause difficulties. At this stage, a person needs the support of those closest to him, because his own motivation is running out. The cough with mucus continues and can be relieved with hot drinks or food. Many people produce gray or light yellow sputum that smells bad.
The last 4 days of the first phase of the fight against bad habits
On the eleventh day, the condition of the arterioles, which supply blood to the tissues, improves. Currently, metabolism and hormone levels are normalizing. This explains the change in psyche, weight loss or gain. On an emotional level, aggression and irritability appear, the craving for nicotine increases, it is explained by the desire to find out if there will be disgust. The unpleasant symptoms attributed to the withdrawal syndrome continue. Internal tension, tremor, dizziness are the consequences of oxygen saturation of the brain.
Bitan!
It is believed that you can abruptly quit smoking only if the experience does not exceed 5 years. In other cases, it is not recommended to go to extreme measures. Before you get rid of nicotine addiction, you need to visit a doctor.
Twelfth day - calms chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs, improves the protective functions of the body. The psyche is similar to the 11th day, the person still needs the support of loved ones. Non-heavy smokers notice an improvement in facial skin, a reduction in cough and a restoration of digestion.
Thirteenth day - there is active cell renewal, the vessels are unstable. A person may try to smoke out of curiosity. Weakness, jumps in blood pressure, weakness, heaviness in the back of the head occur.
The fourteenth day is characterized by healing of the bronchial mucosa, the vessels receive sufficient nutrition, the tissues regenerate. This day is mentally difficult, some people try a cigarette again, motivating their behavior by the fact that they managed to last a long time and 1 dose of nicotine will not hurt. At the physiological level, the cough subsides, the yellow color of the skin gradually disappears, lethargy, weakness and drowsiness appear.
Changes after quitting cigarettes will continue for a long time, complete recovery occurs after a few years. After 8-10 months, the yellowing of the teeth disappears, the lungs increase in volume, and the condition of the skin and nails improves. If a person has previously smoked more than one pack of cigarettes, then a year after giving up cigarettes, the risk of stroke or heart attack is reduced by 2 times, and cancer by 3. The effect is seen on the first day when nicotine leaves the body. It becomes easier to breathe, the bronchi are cleansed, blood pressure is reduced.
How can you help yourself
If the smoker decides to finally overcome the addiction, it is necessary to act immediately. Motivation can be the desire to conceive, maintain health, etc. Once you have set a goal, it will be easier to give up cigarettes. Initially, the body should receive the maximum of useful substances and vitamins. In the morning on an empty stomach it is recommended to drink 1 glass of warm milk. It is recommended to spend more time outdoors and play sports. New hobbies will help you forget and you will find it easier to survive parting with addiction.
Some people find it easier to fight nicotine addiction with friends or loved ones. If they are not there, they read reviews online for stimulation, there may be a friend online who also needs support.