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 has tried to say goodbye to a destructive habit knows that it is 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.
Pros and cons of quitting smoking
A person who decides to quit smoking experiences some discomfort at the beginning of a difficult journey. The changes scare the smoker, so many give up their idea and start smoking a cigarette again. The lack of nicotine manifests itself with various symptoms that indicate the onset of stress due to the abandonment of tobacco. 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 previously nicotine served as doping, without it the body experiences severe stress. In this context, ARVI, acne, stomatitis, etc. appear. ;
- There is an intense cough with brown sputum - you do not have to be afraid of it, because thanks to the cough, the airways are cleared of soot and soot. Over time, the ciliated epithelium resumes its work, expels the mucus and sputum that has accumulated in the bronchi;
- Irritability, nervousness, depression: when nicotine stops entering the body, withdrawal occurs. It lasts several days. During this time, the former smoker closely follows people who inhale tobacco smoke, dreams of the whole process, the smell drives him crazy and causes a strong desire to smoke. If previously nicotine activated the pleasure receptors, now their work is inhibited. A person shows aggression, breaks down on loved ones. Relatives should support the ex-smoker, distract him, interest him in new hobbies. Gradually, the desire will subside, but the desire to smoke will go nowhere;
- Headaches and discomfort appear in the abdomen - within a few weeks the body will be cleansed of decay products of nicotine, thanks to which the functions of all organs and systems are normalized. The absence of nicotine leads to vasospasm, abdominal pain and impaired stool. Unpleasant symptoms disappear after 2-3 weeks.
A person who quits smoking feels very hungry, suffers from insomnia, complains of a slow heartbeat. She starts running towards 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 is restored within 7 days;
- bad breath disappears;
- the sense of smell returns and the taste buds begin to function normally;
- after a month the blue 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. For this reason, 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 respiratory diseases often disappear. But the main benefit of quitting smoking is the reduced risk of hypertension, lung cancer, stroke and heart attack.
Important!
The removal of nicotine does not mean a complete cleansing of the body of its decomposition products, which have accumulated over the years. Recovery occurs gradually, usually over months or sometimes years.
Changes in the body during the day
Any narcologist will tell you about 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 very great, but you will need to be patient as the body recovers. The liver produces endogenous nicotine, which maintains normal metabolism. Tobacco nicotine cannot compare to yours and is available in larger quantities. When the level of the substance decreases, the body experiences nicotine starvation, requiring a new dose. If it cannot be obtained from the outside, the liver starts producing endogenous nicotine again. After 3 days, a person can already do without a cigarette, but the cravings still remain.
If we talk about psychological addiction, the situation is more complicated. There are many reasons for the pathological desire to smoke, it can be an innate tendency to addictions, difficulties in communicating with people, a desire not to stand out, etc. It is difficult to get rid of such addiction, and the more you experience it, the harder it will be for a person on the road to a healthy life. The situation is complicated by friends who smoke, in the company of which you have 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 a person go. A psychotherapist will help to get rid of it, who will find out the causes of pathological addiction and will be able to motivate the patient.
How are the first 10 days without nicotine
Consider how the body recovers after quitting smoking and what is accompanied by:
- The first day- The blood is purified of carbon monoxide and saturated with oxygen. A person is proud of himself, confident that he has 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 superficial and sensitive;
- Second day- the ciliated epithelium begins to function better, the production of mucus in the lungs decreases, the first signs of withdrawal syndrome appear. The euphoria continues, but irritability and nervousness appear. Cravings can still be suppressed by self-hypnosis, sleepiness is replaced by energy. On a physiological level, there are changes such as an increase in appetite, a person is attracted to foods with a pronounced taste. Cough intensifies, shortness of breath develops, abdominal cramps, frequent need 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 up, 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 sharply increases, a person is attracted to "sweets", burps and heartburn occur. When he bends, the head turns, the heart "shrinks", there is noise in the ears. The skin is flaky, a small dry acne is visible on it;
- Fourth day. Blood flow to the brain normalizes, the stomach and pancreas continue to recover. Aggression gradually decreases, irritation can be stopped with drugs. Many people improve their mood, but distraction is noticeable, sleep is still superficial. It is possible to increase blood pressure, tinnitus, mild dizziness. Urination normalizes, but there is constipation. Appetite is reduced, the desire for certain foods is evident. A person feels a viscous mucous lump in the throat, a cough occurs. Many develop swelling of the face, fingers and ears;
- The fifth daywithout cigarettes - ulcers heal on the tongue, the vascular tone normalizes. Some sections of the broncho-pulmonary system are being rehabilitated, the work of the intestine 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 break free, 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 area or throat, which makes it difficult to breathe. Dark viscous sputum is excreted intensively;
- The sixth daymucus secretion increases, the work of the stomach and pancreas normalizes. The withdrawal syndrome is growing with renewed vigor, there is crying, insomnia and irritation. A person is looking for cigarettes, it is difficult to hold back, but it is necessary. Against this background, vegetative disturbances are evident in the form of sweating, tremor and nausea. Sometimes there is pain in the hypochondrium, bitterness in the oral cavity, increased thirst. The dark mucus is still coughing, you can see threads of blood in it;
- Seventh day- physical cravings practically disappear, the body works calmly without the usual dose of nicotine. From that day on, a complete recovery begins. The person is devastated, but he is already aware that smoking is a kind of ritual, and not a physical need. It is important to fully protect yourself from everything 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 periodically occur. 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 "collapse". At this time, the risk of breaking is the highest.
The eighth day is characterized by the activation of the olfactory and taste buds. The tissues in the lungs continue to recover, but the vessels in the brain have not yet strengthened. The beginning of the second week on an emotional level proceeds calmer. 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 still disturbed. Food acquires a new taste, a person captures stress, due to which body weight 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 in the society of smokers to hold back, but the smell of tobacco is already disgusting. Possible heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea replace each other. At this time, it is easy to catch ARVI, herpes and an allergic reaction.
Day 10: 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 loved ones, as his motivation is running out. Coughing with mucus continues and can be relieved by 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 a bad habit
The eleventh day improves the condition of the arterioles, which supply blood to the tissues. At this time, metabolism and hormone levels are normalizing. This explains the change in the psyche, the decrease or increase in weight. On an emotional level, aggression and excitability arise, the craving for nicotine intensifies, explained by the desire to find out if there will be disgust. Unpleasant symptoms resume, which are attributed to withdrawal syndrome. Internal tension, tremor, dizziness are the consequences of excessive saturation of the brain with oxygen.
Important!
It is believed that one can stop smoking abruptly only if the experience does not exceed 5 years. In other cases, it is not recommended to take extreme measures. Before getting rid of nicotine addiction, you need to visit a doctor.
Twelfth day: chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs subsides, the protective functions of the body improve. The psyche is similar to day 11, a person still needs the support of loved ones. Non-heavy smokers notice an improvement in the skin of the face, the cough decreases and digestion is restored.
Thirteenth day: there is an active renewal of cells, the vessels are unstable. A person may try to smoke out of curiosity. There is malaise, changes 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 1 dose of nicotine will not harm. At the physiological level, the cough subsides, the yellow color of the skin gradually disappears, lethargy, weakness and drowsiness appear.
The changes after quitting smoking will continue for a long time, full recovery occurs after a few years. After 8-10 months, the yellowness of the teeth disappears, the lungs increase in volume, the condition of the skin and nails improves. If previously a person smoked more than one pack a day, one year after quitting smoking, the risk of stroke or heart attack is reduced by 2 times and cancer by 3. The effect can be seen from the first day on which the nicotine leaves the body. It becomes easier to breathe, the bronchi are freed, blood pressure decreases.
How can you help yourself
If a smoker finally decides to overcome the addiction, immediate action must be taken. The motivation can be the desire to conceive a child, the maintenance of health, etc. Having set a goal, it will be easier to give up cigarettes. 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 play sports. New hobbies will help you forget, and it's easier to survive a breakup from an addiction.
Some people find it easier to fight nicotine addiction with friends or loved ones. If there aren't any, they read the reviews on the internet for stimulation, maybe there is also an online friend who needs support.