Smoking is a drug addiction that is very difficult to deal with. Cigarettes are quickly introduced into the lifestyle, and without them, one feels overwhelmed. Anyone who has ever tried to say goodbye to a destructive habit knows that it is not easy to do so. 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 on the idea and go back to getting a cigarette. The lack of nicotine is manifested by several symptoms that indicate the onset of stress due to smoking cessation. 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 - an ex-smoker is prone to frequent colds. If the previous nicotine served as doping, without it the body is severely stressed. In this context, ARVI, acne, stomatitis, etc. ;
- There is an intense cough with brown sputum - you need not be afraid, because thanks to coughing, the airways are free of soot and soot. Over time, the ciliated epithelium resumes its work, expelling the mucus and sputum that have accumulated in the bronchi;
- Irritability, nervousness, depression - when nicotine stops entering the body, withdrawal occurs. It lasts for several days. During this period, the ex-smoker closely follows people who inhale tobacco smoke, dreams about the whole process, the smell drives him crazy and causes a strong desire to smoke. If previously nicotine activated the pleasure receptors, now its work is inhibited. A person shows aggression, breaks loved ones. Relatives should support the ex-smoker, distract him, interest him in new hobbies. Gradually, the urge will subside, but the urge to smoke will not go anywhere;
- Headaches and discomfort in the abdomen appear - within a few weeks, the body will be cleansed of the breakdown products of nicotine, due to which the functions of all organs and systems are normalized. The absence of nicotine leads to vasospasm, abdominal pain and impaired stool. The unpleasant symptoms will disappear after 2-3 weeks.
A person who quits smoking feels very hungry, suffers from insomnia, complains of a slow heartbeat. He starts running for food, which causes him to be overweight. All these symptoms are complemented by moodiness and irritability. But there are also benefits to quitting smoking:
- breathing is restored in 7 days;
- bad breath disappears;
- smell returns and 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.
In addition, the blood is saturated with oxygen, which nourishes all cells. Because of this, 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 usually disappear. But the main benefit of quitting smoking is reducing the risk of high blood pressure, lung cancer, stroke and heart attack.
Important!
Removing 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 what happens in the body of a man who has finally decided to kick his nicotine addiction. Doctors say that the benefits of quitting smoking are great, but you have to be patient while your body recovers. The liver produces endogenous nicotine, which maintains normal metabolism. The nicotine in tobacco cannot be compared to yours and comes in larger amounts. When the level of the substance drops, the body starves for nicotine, requiring a new dose. If it cannot be obtained from outside, the liver starts producing endogenous nicotine again. After 3 days, a person can already do without a cigarette, but cravings still remain.
If we talk about psychological dependence, 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 this addiction, and the more you experience it, the more difficult it will be for a person on the path to a healthy life. The situation is complicated by friends who smoke, 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 desire lasts for years and does not leave a person. A psychotherapist will help to get rid of it, who will discover the causes of pathological addiction and can motivate the patient.
What are the first 10 days without nicotine like?
Consider how the body recovers after quitting smoking and what is accompanied by:
- First day- The blood is purified from carbon monoxide and saturated with oxygen. A person is proud of himself, certain that he has 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 such as "I quit smoking. "Sometimes a person has dizziness, weakness, mild anxiety. On the first day, it is difficult to fall asleep, eat, sleep is shallow and sensitive;
- Second day- the ciliated epithelium begins to work better, the production of mucus in the lungs decreases, the first signs of the withdrawal syndrome appear. The euphoria continues, but irritability and nervousness appear. Desires can still be suppressed by self-hypnosis, drowsiness is replaced by energy. On the physiological level, there are changes such as increased appetite, a person is attracted to foods with a pronounced taste. Cough intensifies, shortness of breath develops, abdominal cramps, frequent urge to go to the bathroom. It is difficult for a person to fall asleep, itching is possible, the skin is tense;
- the third day- restoration of the bronchi and ciliated epithelium begins. Blood vessels are toned, the craving for nicotine at the physiological level is reduced. On the 3rd day, nervousness increases, dependence manifests itself more, the 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", belching and heartburn occur. When bending over, the head is spinning, the heart "shrinks", there is noise in the ears. Skin is scaly, 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 medication. Many people improve their mood, but distraction is noticeable, sleep is still shallow. It is possible to increase blood pressure, tinnitus, mild dizziness. The urination normalizes, but there is constipation. Appetite is reduced, cravings for certain foods are noticeable. A person feels a viscous mucous lump in the throat, a cough occurs. Many develop swelling of the face, fingers and ears;
- the fifth dayno 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 let go, you cannot succumb to treacherous desires. Food tastes better, but this only applies to dairy products, citrus products, etc. Loose mucus is felt in the chest area or throat, which makes breathing difficult. Viscous dark sputum is coughed up intensively;
- on the sixth daymucus secretion increases, the work of the stomach and pancreas normalizes. Withdrawal syndrome is growing with renewed vigor, there is crying, insomnia and irritation. A person is looking for cigarettes, it is difficult to contain himself, but it is necessary. In this context, 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. The dark mucus is still coughing up, 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, a full recovery begins. The person is devastated, but already knows that smoking is a kind of ritual, not a physical necessity. It is important to completely 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 occur periodically. A week without cigarettes has a positive effect on appetite, but heartburn appears in 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 breaking is the greatest.
The eighth day is characterized by the activation of the olfactory and taste buds. Tissues in the lungs continue to recover, but the vessels in the brain still haven't gotten stronger. The beginning of the second week on an emotional level proceeds more calmly. Irritation, aggression and depression are less pronounced. Psychological dependence still exists, 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 is stressed, 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 bronchopulmonary system continues to regenerate, hematopoiesis normalizes. It is difficult for people who are in the smoking society to contain themselves, 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 appears.
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 his loved ones as his own motivation is running out. Coughing up mucus continues and can be relieved with hot drinks or food. Many people produce gray or pale yellow sputum that smells bad.
The last 4 days of the first stage of the fight against a bad habit
On the eleventh day, the condition of the arterioles, which supply blood to the tissues, improves. At this time, metabolism and hormone levels are normalizing. This explains the change in the psyche, the decrease or increase in weight. On the emotional level, aggression and excitability arise, the desire for nicotine intensifies, explained by the desire to find out if there will be disgust. Unpleasant symptoms return, attributed to the withdrawal syndrome. Internal tension, tremor, dizziness are the consequences of the brain's supersaturation with oxygen.
Important!
It is believed that you can stop 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 visit a doctor.
Twelfth day - chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs decreases, the protective functions of the body improve. The psyche is similar to the 11th, a person still needs support from loved ones. Non-heavy smokers notice an improvement in facial skin, coughing subsides 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, jumps in blood pressure, weakness, heaviness in the back of the head.
The fourteenth day is characterized by 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 have managed to hold on for a long time and 1 dose of nicotine will not hurt. At the physiological level, coughing subsides, the yellow color of the skin gradually disappears, lethargy, weakness and drowsiness appear.
Changes after quitting smoking will continue for a long time, full recovery takes place 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 a person previously smoked more than a pack a day, one year after quitting, the risk of stroke or heart attack is reduced by 2 times and cancer by 3. The effect can be seen on the first day when nicotine leave the body. Breathing becomes easier, the bronchi are cleared, blood pressure drops.
How can you help yourself
If a smoker finally decides to overcome the addiction, it is necessary to act immediately. The motivation could be the desire to conceive a baby, maintain health, etc. Having set a goal, it will be easier to give up cigarettes. At first, the body should receive as many useful substances and vitamins as possible. 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 separation from an addiction.
Some people find it easier to fight nicotine addiction with friends or loved ones. If there aren't any, they read internet comments for encouragement, maybe there's a friend online who also needs support.