Smoking is a very difficult addiction to deal with. Cigarettes are quickly introduced into the lifestyle and without them a person feels overwhelmed. Anyone who's tried to say goodbye to a destructive habit knows it's not easy to do. After prolonged smoking, the body reacts negatively to the absence of nicotine, so a complete rejection of cigarettes is accompanied by a "withdrawal" syndrome. Before making a difficult decision, you need to know what will happen to the body and how to survive this period.
Advantages and disadvantages of quitting smoking
A person who decides to quit smoking experiences some discomfort at the beginning of a difficult journey. The changes frighten the smoker, so many give up on their idea and take up a cigarette again. The lack of nicotine is manifested by various symptoms that indicate the onset of stress due to quitting smoking. If the smoking experience is long, the recovery will be painful and long. The restructuring process is always accompanied by psychological and physical discomfort:
- Reduced immunity - a former smoker is prone to frequent colds. If earlier nicotine served as a doping, then without it the body experiences severe stress. Against this background, ARVI, acne, stomatitis, etc. appear;
- There is an intense cough with brown sputum - you do not have to be afraid of this, because thanks to coughing the airways are cleared of soot and soot. Over time, the ciliated epithelium resumes its work, expels mucus and sputum that have accumulated in the bronchi;
- Irritability, nervousness, depression - when nicotine stops entering the body, withdrawal occurs. It lasts several days. During this period, the former smoker closely follows people who inhale tobacco smoke, he dreams about 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. A person shows aggression, collapses 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 discomfort in the abdomen appear - in a few weeks the body will be rid of the breakdown products of nicotine, due to which the functions of all organs and systems will be normalized. The absence of nicotine leads to vasospasm, abdominal pain and altered bowel movements. Unpleasant symptoms will disappear after 2-3 weeks.
A person who quit smoking is very hungry, suffers from insomnia, complains of a slow heartbeat. He begins to rush to food, which causes excess weight. All these symptoms are complemented by bad mood and irritability. But there are also benefits to quitting smoking:
- breathing is restored within 7 days;
- bad breath disappears;
- the sense of smell returns and the taste buds begin to function normally;
- after a month, dark 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.
In addition, the blood is saturated with oxygen, which nourishes all cells. As a result, the skin and internal organs are less susceptible to aging. The body is cleansed of toxins and toxins, immunity increases. 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 quitting smoking is to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, lung cancer, stroke and heart attack.
Important!
Elimination of nicotine does not mean a complete cleansing of the body from its decay products, which have accumulated over the years. Recovery occurs gradually, usually over months or sometimes years.
Changes in the body from day to day
Any narcologist will tell you what happens in the body of a man who has decided to finally get rid of nicotine addiction. Doctors say the benefits of quitting smoking are great, but you'll need to be patient while the body recovers. The liver produces endogenous nicotine, which maintains normal metabolism. Tobacco nicotine cannot be compared to yours and is available in greater quantities. When the level of the substance drops, the body experiences nicotine starvation, requiring a new dose. If it is not possible to obtain it from the outside, the liver begins to produce endogenous nicotine again. After 3 days, a person can already do without cigarettes, but the cravings remain.
If we talk about psychological dependence, the situation is more complicated. The reasons for the pathological urge to smoke are many, it can be an innate tendency to addictions, difficulties in communicating with people, a desire not to be noticed, etc. It is difficult to get rid of such an addiction, and the more experience, the more difficult it will be for a person on the path to a healthy life. The situation is complicated by smoking friends, in whose company you need to be constantly. In order not to look like a "white crow", many people again inhale harmful smoke, such a craving lasts for years and does not let go of a person. A psychotherapist will help get rid of it, who will find out the causes of pathological addiction and can motivate the patient.
How are the first 10 days without nicotine?
Consider how the body recovers after giving up a cigarette and what accompanies it:
- First day- The blood is purified of carbon monoxide and saturated with oxygen. A person is proud of themselves, confident that they have overcome a bad habit, and are ready to go all the way. At this point, the urge to smoke is mild, easily interrupted by suggestions like "I'm quitting. "Sometimes a person has dizziness, weakness, mild anxiety. The first day, it is difficult to fall asleep, to eat, the sleep is superficial and sensitive;
- Second day- the ciliated epithelium begins to work better, the production of mucus in the lungs decreases, the first signs of withdrawal syndrome appear. The euphoria persists, but irritability and nervousness appear. Cravings can always be suppressed by self-hypnosis, drowsiness is replaced with energy. At the physiological level, there are such changes as an increase in appetite, a person is attracted to foods with a strong taste. Cough intensifies, shortness of breath develops, abdominal cramps, frequent urge to go to the toilet. It is difficult for a person to fall asleep, itching is possible, the skin is tight;
- The third day- the restoration of the bronchi and ciliated epithelium begins. The blood vessels are toned, the physiological craving for nicotine is reduced. On the 3rd day, nervousness increases, addiction manifests itself more, a person does not know how to be distracted and what to do. Disturbing sleep, often interrupted. Appetite increases sharply, a person is attracted to "sweets", belching and heartburn occur. When bending down, the head spins, the heart "shrinks", there is noise in the ears. The skin is scaly, a small dry acne is visible on it;
- Fourth day. Blood flow to the brain normalizes, the stomach and pancreas continue to recover. Aggressiveness gradually decreases, irritation can be stopped with medication. Many people improve their mood, but distraction is noted, sleep is still superficial. It is possible to increase blood pressure, tinnitus, mild dizziness. Urination normalizes, but there is constipation. Appetite is reduced, cravings for certain foods are noticeable. A person feels a viscous mucous mass in the throat, a cough occurs. Many develop swelling of the face, fingers and ears;
- The fifth daywithout cigarettes - ulcers heal on the tongue, vascular tone normalizes. Some sections of the bronchopulmonary system are being rehabilitated, the work of the intestines is still disturbed. On the 5th day, the euphoria disappears, the state of health worsens, there is a desire to smoke. At this time it is easy to detach, you cannot succumb to treacherous cravings. Food becomes tastier, but this only applies to dairy products, citrus fruits, etc. Loose mucus is felt in the chest or throat, which makes it difficult to breathe. Dark, viscous sputum is intensively coughed up;
- The sixth daymucus secretion increases, the work of the stomach and pancreas normalizes. The withdrawal syndrome develops with renewed vigor, there are tears, insomnia and irritation. A person is looking for cigarettes, it is difficult to restrain himself, but it is necessary. Against this background, vegetative disorders are noticeable in the form of sweating, tremors and nausea. Sometimes there is pain in the hypochondrium, bitterness in the oral cavity, increased thirst. Black mucus is always spitting out, streaks of blood can be seen in it;
- seventh day- physical cravings practically disappear, the body works calmly without the usual dose of nicotine. From this day, a full recovery begins. The person is devastated, but is already aware that smoking is a kind of ritual and not a physical need. It is important to fully protect yourself from anything related to tobacco products. The motivation to quit smoking is renewed. The mucus does not disappear, the cough is intense. Intestinal tone is normalized, but constipation may occur periodically. A week without cigarettes has a positive effect on appetite, but heartburn appears from fatty foods.
Important!
The first five days are the most difficult for a person who quits smoking. He experiences a strong "breakdown". At this time, the risk of rupture is the highest.
The eighth day is characterized by the activation of the olfactory and taste buds. The tissues of the lungs continue to recover, but the vessels of the brain have not yet strengthened. The beginning of the second week on the emotional level proceeds more calmly. Irritation, aggression and depression are less pronounced. The psychological dependence is still there, sometimes it intensifies. A person complains of a feeling of detachment and loss of something important, sleep is always disturbed. Food acquires a new taste, a person seizes stress, due to which body weight is added.
The ninth day is accompanied by an improvement in the state of the gastric mucosa and digestion. The bronchopulmonary system continues to regenerate, hematopoiesis normalizes. It is difficult for people who are in the society of smokers to restrain themselves, but the smell of tobacco is already disgusting. Possible heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea alternate. At this time it is easy to catch ARVI, herpes and an allergic reaction appear.
Tenth day - the recovery process continues, immunity gradually improves. Cigarettes no longer cause painful thoughts, but people smoking nearby cause difficulties. At this stage, a person needs the support of loved ones, as his own motivation runs out. Cough with mucus persists and can be relieved by warm food or drink. Many people produce gray or pale yellow sputum that smells bad.
The last 4 days of the first stage of fighting a bad habit
On the eleventh day, the condition of the arterioles, which carry blood to the tissues, improves. At this time, metabolism and hormonal levels normalize. This explains the change in the psyche, the decrease or increase in weight. At the emotional level, aggression and excitability appear, the craving for nicotine intensifies, explained by the desire to know if there will be disgust. Unpleasant symptoms resume, which are attributed to the withdrawal syndrome. Internal tension, tremors, dizziness are the consequences of an oversaturation of the brain with oxygen.
Important!
It is believed that you can quit smoking abruptly only if the experience does not exceed 5 years. In other cases, it is not recommended to go to extreme measures. Before getting rid of nicotine addiction, you need to consult a doctor.
Twelfth day - chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and lungs decreases, the protective functions of the body improve. The psyche is similar to day 11, a person always needs the support of loved ones. Non-heavy smokers note an improvement in the skin of the face, coughing decreases and digestion is restored.
Thirteenth day - there is an active renewal of cells, the vessels are unstable. A person may try smoking out of curiosity. There are malaises, jumps in blood pressure, weakness, heaviness in the back of the head.
The fourteenth day is characterized by the healing of the bronchial mucosa, the vessels receive sufficient nutrition, the tissues are restored. This day is psychologically difficult, some try a cigarette again, motivating their behavior by the fact that they managed to hold out for a long time and that 1 dose of nicotine will not hurt them. 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, full recovery occurs after a few years. After 8-10 months, the yellowing of the teeth disappears, the lungs increase in volume, the condition of the skin and nails improves. If earlier a person smoked more than one pack a day, then a year after quitting smoking, the risk of stroke or heart attack is reduced by 2 times, and cancer by 3. The effect can be observedfrom the first day the nicotine leaves the body. It becomes easier to breathe, the bronchi are cleared, blood pressure decreases.
How can you help yourself
If a smoker decides to finally overcome the addiction, action must be taken immediately. The motivation can be the desire to conceive a baby, maintaining health, etc. After setting a goal, it will be easier to quit smoking. At first, the body should receive a 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 advisable to be more outdoors and to play sports. New hobbies will help you forget, and it's easier to survive parting with an addiction.
Some people find it easier to deal with nicotine addiction with friends or relatives. If there isn't, they read reviews on the internet to boost themselves, maybe there's a friend online who also needs support.