Smoking is an addiction to drugs that is very difficult to cope with. Cigarettes are quickly introduced into the lifestyle and without them the person feels overwhelmed. Anyone who has 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 lack 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 in this period.
The pros and cons of quitting smoking
A person who decides to quit smoking experiences some anxiety at the beginning of a difficult journey. The changes scare the smoker, so many give up their idea and take a cigarette again. Nicotine deficiency manifests itself with various symptoms that indicate the onset of stress due to smoking cessation. If the smoking experience is long, the cure will be painful and long. The restructuring process is always accompanied by psychological and physical concerns:
- Reduced immunity - a former smoker is prone to frequent colds. If previously nicotine served as doping, then without it the body gets severe stress. Against this background, ARVI, acne, stomatitis, etc. appear.
- There is an intense cough with brown sputum - you do not need to be afraid of it, because thanks to the cough, the airways are freed from soot and soot. Over time, the ciliary epithelium resumes its work, pushing out the mucus and sputum that has accumulated in the bronchi;
- Nervousness, irritability, depression - when nicotine stops entering the body, withdrawal occurs. It lasts for several days. During this period, the former smoker closely follows the persons who inhale the tobacco smoke, he dreams of the whole process, the smell drives him crazy and causes a strong desire to smoke. If previously nicotine activated pleasure receptors, now their work is inhibited. A person shows aggression, explodes in loved ones. Relatives should support the former smoker, distract him, interest him in new hobbies. Gradually, the desire will subside, but the desire to smoke will go nowhere;
- Headaches and abdominal discomfort appear - within a few weeks the body will be cleansed of nicotine decay products, due to which the functions of all organs and systems are normalized. Lack of nicotine leads to vasospasm, abdominal pain and impaired stool. Unpleasant symptoms will disappear after 2-3 weeks.
A person who quits smoking feels very hungry, suffers from insomnia, complains of slow heartbeat. He starts rushing towards food, which causes excess weight. All these symptoms are complemented by bad mood and nervousness. But there are also benefits to quitting smoking:
- respiration returns within 7 days;
- the bad smell disappears;
- the sense of smell returns and the taste buds begin to work 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 is improved in men.
Also, the blood is saturated with oxygen, which nourishes all the 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 lung volume returns to normal and the symptoms of chronic pathologies of the respiratory system often disappear. But the main benefit of quitting smoking is lowering the risk of hypertension, lung cancer, stroke and heart attack.
Important!
Removing 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 during the 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 huge, but you will need to be patient until your body recovers. The liver produces endogenous nicotine, which maintains normal metabolism. Tobacco nicotine can not be compared to yours and comes in larger quantities. When the level of the substance drops, the body experiences hunger from nicotine, seeking a new dose. If it is not possible to take it externally, the liver begins to produce endogenous nicotine again. After 3 days, a person can already do without cigarettes, but the desires still remain.
If we talk about psychological dependence, the situation is more complicated. There are many reasons for the pathological desire for smoking, it can be an innate tendency to addictions, difficulty in communicating with people, the desire not to be distinguished, etc. It is difficult to get rid of such an addiction, and the more experience, the harder it will be for a person on the road to a healthy life. The situation is complicated by smoking friends, in whose company you have to be constantly. In order not to look like a "white sorb", many people again inhale harmful smoke, such a commodity lasts for years and does not leave a person. A psychotherapist will help remove it, which will discover the causes of the pathological addiction and will be able to motivate the patient.
How are the first 10 days without nicotine
Consider how the body recovers after giving up a cigarette and what is associated with:
- First day- Blood is purified of carbon monoxide and saturated with oxygen. A person is proud of himself, confident that he was able to overcome a bad habit and is ready to go to the end. At this stage, the desire for cigarettes is easy, easily interrupted by suggestions like "quit smoking". Sometimes a person has dizziness, weakness, mild anxiety. The first day, it is difficult to fall asleep, to eat, sleep is superficial and sensitive;
- The second day- the ciliary epithelium begins to work better, the production of mucus in the lungs decreases, the first signs of withdrawal syndrome appear. The euphoria continues, but nervousness and irritability appear. Desires can still be suppressed by self-hypnosis, drowsiness is replaced by energy. At the physiological level, there are changes such as an increase in appetite, a person withdraws from foods with a pronounced taste. Coughing intensifies, shortness of breath appears, abdominal cramps, frequent desire to go to the toilet. It is difficult for a person to fall asleep, itching is possible, the skin is tight;
- The third day- restoration of bronchi and ciliary epithelium begins. Blood vessels are toned, the desire for nicotine at the physiological level is reduced. On the 3rd day the nervousness increases, the addiction appears more, a person does not know to be distracted and what to do. Restless sleep, often interrupted. Appetite increases significantly, a person withdraws from the "sweets", belching and heartburn occur. When bent, the head rotates, the heart "shrinks", there is noise in the ears. The skin is wrinkled, small dry rashes are visible on it;
- The fourth day. Blood flow to the brain is normalized, the stomach and pancreas continue to recover. Aggression gradually decreases, irritation can be stopped with medication. Many people improve their mood, but lack of consciousness is observed, sleep is still superficial. It is possible to increase blood pressure, tinnitus, slight dizziness. Urination normalizes, but there is constipation. Appetite decreases, cravings for certain foods are evident. A person feels a viscous mucous lump in the throat, a cough appears. Many of them develop swelling of the face, fingers and ears;
- The fifth dayno cigarettes - ulcers heal on the tongue, vascular tone normalizes. Some parts of the broncho-pulmonary system are being rehabilitated, intestinal work is still disturbed. On the 5th day, the euphoria disappears, the health condition worsens, there is a desire to smoke. At this time, it is easy to break away, you can not submit to treacherous desires. Food becomes more delicious, 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 saliva coughs intensely;
- On the sixth daymucus secretion increases, the work of the stomach and pancreas normalizes. Withdrawal syndrome is increasing with renewed energy, there are tears, insomnia and irritability. A person seeks cigarettes, it is difficult to restrain, but it is necessary. Against this background, vegetative disorders are evident in the form of sweating, tremors, and nausea. Sometimes there is pain in the hypochondrium, soreness in the oral cavity, increased thirst. The dark mucosa is still coughing, you can see blood clots in it;
- Seventh day- physical desires practically disappear, the body works calmly without the usual dose of nicotine. From that day on, 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 mucosa does not disappear, the cough is intense. Intestinal tone is normalized, but constipation may appear periodically. A week without cigarettes has a positive effect on appetite, but heartburn is manifested by 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 fracture is higher.
The eighth day is characterized by the activation of olfactory and taste receptors. The tissues in the lungs continue to recover, but the vessels of the brain have not yet been strengthened. The start of the second week on an emotional level continues more calmly. Irritation, aggression and depression are less pronounced. Psychological addiction is still there, sometimes it intensifies. A person complains of a feeling of disconnection and loss of something important, sleep is still disturbed. Food acquires a new taste, a person catches stress, due to which the body weight increases.
The ninth day is accompanied by improvement of the condition of the gastric mucosa and digestion. The broncho-pulmonary system continues to regenerate, hematopoiesis normalizes. It is difficult for people who are in the company of smokers to refrain, but the smell of tobacco is already disgusting. Potential heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea replace each other. At this time, it is easy to catch ARVI, herpes appears and an allergic reaction.
Day ten - the recovery process continues, immunity gradually improves. Cigarettes no longer cause painful thoughts, but people who smoke nearby provoke difficulties. At this stage, a person needs the support of loved ones, as his motivation is running out. Mucosal cough persists and can be relieved with hot drinks or food. Many people produce light gray or yellow sputum that smells bad.
The last 4 days of the first phase of the fight against a bad habit
On the eleventh day, the condition of the arterioles, which send blood to the tissues, improves. Right now, metabolism and hormone levels are normalizing. This explains the change in psyche, decrease or increase in weight. At the emotional level, aggression and irritability arise, the desire for nicotine intensifies, explained by the desire to discover if there will be disgust. Unpleasant symptoms resume, which are attributed to withdrawal syndrome. Internal tension, tremor, dizziness are the consequences of oxygen saturation of the brain.
Important!
It is believed that you can quit smoking suddenly only if the experience does not exceed 5 years. In other cases, it is not recommended to go to extreme measures. Before giving up nicotine addiction, you should visit a doctor.
Day twelve - chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs decreases, the body's protective functions improve. The psyche is similar to the 11th day, a person still seeks the support of loved ones. Non-heavy smokers notice an improvement in facial skin, cough is reduced and digestion is restored.
Day thirteen - there is an active renewal of cells, vessels are unstable. A person may try to smoke out of curiosity. There are diseases, jumps in blood pressure, weakness, aggravation in the back of the head.
The fourteenth day is characterized by healing of the bronchial mucosa, the vessels receive sufficient nourishment, the tissues are restored. This day is psychologically difficult, some try a cigarette again, motivating their behavior with the fact that they managed to stay for a long time and 1 dose of nicotine will not hurt. At the physiological level, the cough decreases, the yellow color of the skin gradually disappears, lethargy, weakness and drowsiness appear.
The changes after quitting smoking will continue for a long time, complete 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 a person used to smoke more than one pack a day, then 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 as early as dayseen when nicotine leaves the body. Breathing becomes easier, bronchi clear, blood pressure drops.
How can you help yourself
If a smoker decides to finally overcome the addiction, it is necessary to act immediately. Motivation can be the desire to get pregnant, maintaining health, etc. Once you have set a goal, it will be easier to quit smoking. In the beginning, the body needs to get the maximum amount of beneficial 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 is easier to survive being separated from an addiction.
Some people find it easier to fight nicotine addiction with friends or loved ones. If not, they read reviews online for stimulation, maybe there's an online friend who also needs support.