Thursday, October 8, 2009

Nicotine Withdrawl: What are the Symptoms?

By Barb Hicks

Anyone who smokes knows the affliction of nicotine. It is an addiction that is more powerful than that of cocaine or heroin. Although the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine may not be quite the same, they can be just as harrowing for the person trying to give up smoking cigarettes.

Every tobacco product contains nicotine, however cigarettes also contain additional chemicals and toxins which can be very harmful o your body. If you are considering quitting, you know the withdrawal symptoms will be nerve racking, but your body will begin to heal itself within thirty minutes of quitting smoking. In addition, the symptoms of withdrawal peak after two days, so if you can stick with it, you will reap the benefits of a lower risk of heart attack, lower risk of other serious illness and add years to your precious life.

Symptoms of withdrawal include:

Nicotine cravings Tension Irritability Headaches Inability to concentrate Drowsiness Sleeping difficulties Increased appetite Weight gain Depression

The above mentioned symptoms can be less intense if you first try implementing cigarettes with less tar or nicotine or you try decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked in one day. However, there is no such thing as a safe cigarette. Just because they contain less tar or nicotine does not mean your body is not still receiving the same dangerous toxins. This is especially true if you find yourself smoking more of these cigarettes in order to compensate for the lack of nicotine in the new ones.

How to cope:

Quitting smoking does not have to be done without help. There are several methods available that can help you kick the habit. Nicotine replacement therapy using the gum or the patch is very useful as well as medications such as clonidine, antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), and buspirone (Buspar) which can be prescribed by your doctor. The medications do not create any additional addictions and can greatly increase your ability to succeed.

Many people become discouraged when their first attempt to quit smoking ends in failure. However, it is very important that you keep trying. Research suggests that the more attempts made to quit smoking, the more likely you will eventually succeed. So, keep pushing ahead and know that you will beat the smoking habit.

Symptoms of quitting smoking are only temporary; however it is very helpful to have a strategy plan in place to assist you with coping through this harrowing period.

Complications:

This biggest complication people face when quitting smoking is weight gain. To help alleviate this problem, try adopting a healthier, more balanced diet. It is also important to remember to anticipate cravings for both nicotine and food. Implementing fresh fruits and vegetable sticks is a great way to combat weight gain along with increasing physical activity.

A visit to your healthcare professional can help you comprise the best plan of action for you to kick the smoking habit. Once you have, you will notice your sense of taste and smell returning to normal as well as your lung capacity increasing. With your lungs able to function better, you will be able to increase your physical endurance which will enable you to burn more calories and combat the weight gain associated with quitting smoking.

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