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Withdrawal Worries? What Happens After You Quit Smoking |
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a) Dizziness-
Sometimes, you will experience
dizziness when you quit smoking. This is because of the increase in
oxygen in the blood combined with the blood pressure lowering back to
normal. For this reason, it is important for you to be careful if trying
to quit. Be aware of this possibility and don’t work too hard. You can
also try going for a walk, getting fresh air, or slowly changing
positions. Dizziness often lasts for several days before going away.
b)
Coughing, runny nose, and sore throat-
No, this
isn’t a cold. When you quit smoking, your body’s respiratory system
attempts to clean itself out. This can result in excessive coughing and
even a runny nose. It is best to drink lots of fluids at this time in
order to help your body cleanse itself.
At the same time, you may
get a sore throat. This is because your throat is clearing away the tar
and nicotine and growing new tissues. Sucking on sweets or throat
lozenges can help, as can eating honey.
c) Tightness in chest,
flatulence, constipation, and headaches-
Again, you aren’t sick. This
isn’t the flu; these are withdrawal symptoms as your body attempts to
recover from the nicotine, tar, and other toxins it endured from
smoking. The tight chest is actually caused from all of the coughing you
have been doing. Your chest muscles have become sore, so you need to do
relaxation exercises and try some deep breathing to relax your chest
muscles.
The movement in your intestines temporarily slowing down
causes the flatulence and constipation. If you eat plenty of fiber and
drink lots of fluids, you should see a little relief. The headaches are
the result of an increased blood flow to your brain. In addition, this
blood has more oxygen. Relaxation exercises and drinking fluids will
also help with this problem.
d) Mood changes, concentration
troubles, and fatigue-
You will most likely feel irritable or angry
when you quit smoking. This is because your body is desperate to get
more nicotine. Relaxation exercises can help you get through this. It is
also important to let your anger out in a safe way. If you try to bottle
it up, you will become tenser and you will feel a greater need to have
another cigarette.
You may also have difficulty concentrating.
This goes back to the increased blood flow to you brain. Basically, your
brain is not used to this and is not sure what to do. It is used to
relying on the stimulation provided by the nicotine. It will take a few
weeks for it to remember how to do its job without the help of the drug.
e)
Boredom-
You might even experience boredom or feel like you are
cooped up. This is because you are missing your “friend,” the cigarette.
You are used to spending time with your cigarette and occupying yourself
with smoking. You need to try to find new things to do that will keep
both your hands and your mind busy. Try riding a bike, going for a short
walk, or swimming. Or, do a small task that will keep your hands busy,
such as cooking, doing dishes, painting, writing a letter, knitting,
sewing, or gardening. You might even run a few errands or get out of the
house for another reason, such as to watch a movie.
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