Quit Smoking Symptoms
Dear Friend,
Quit smoking symptoms often vary from smoker to smoker. But what they are, how you get them, and more importantly how long will they last will be revealed below.
First off congratulations to you for your decision to quit smoking. Doing a little research now can go a long way towards knowing what to expect of your body when it goes through the process.
Did you know that nicotine is often as addictive as many illicit hard street drugs? For instance, heroine, cocaine ( in many formulations) is just as addictive as nicotine.
The nicotine addiction has become dependent by the body for “life”. When that dose of nicotine is quickly cut off, the body goes into panic mode. Now, this is commonly referred to as what many who are trying to quit smoking are going “cold turkey,” that is, they are just stopping abruptly without the use of any quit smoking aids that are available to them. There may be medical reasons for this, or some may simply feel as if they “should” be able to quit on their own.
Going cold turkey may help to get excessive nicotine out of your system quickly, using within a few days or so, however, the withdrawal symptoms are usually pretty severe and intense, as is the physical discomfort that goes with this. Many people find themselves itching for a cigarette very quickly on, and when this happens, you would do well to consider using some of those quit smoking aids at your disposal.
Do Quit Smoking Aids Really Work?
The happy news for anyone in this situation is that most quit smoking aids, even those available over the counter at your local pharmacy, seem to have good results for those who use them. They are usually very affordable and easy to use, and have few side effects.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NT) is a popular choice for quit smoking aids. This may include the patch, gum, spray, or inhaler. These products work by allowing nicotine into your system gradually over a longer period of time, thereby reducing your cravings for a cigarette. The other advantage to these types of quit smoking aids is that, unlike cigarettes which consist of thousands of poisonous and/or carcinogenic chemicals, CRTs contain only nicotine. Additionally, the chemical reaction that happens when one burns cigarettes causes those around a smoker to suffer consequences as well, something that doesn’t happen with the patch, gum, inhaler, or spray.
So as you undergo NT, it would be in your best interest to channel some of your new found energy in a constructive way. How about taking up Kick Boxing? You could do Pilates. Or even Yoga. Anything where you are doing physical activity regularly. And of course you always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program. By taking things to a physical level, you will in essence be able to avoid the 10 pound bump.
The 10 pound bump is just the average number of pounds non-smokers usually gain. For many folks ten is just to many pounds.
Other quit smoking aids may be available from your doctor and are in pill form. Most are considered mild anti-depressants, and work by calming and relaxing you, thereby decreasing your nervous habit of reaching for a cigarette. Some however have more severe side effects than those products you would get over the counter, and should be used only when under a doctor’s care.
In the end, trying to go cold turkey may be an option for you, but if you’re worried that it just won’t work are aren’t really looking forward to the withdrawal symptoms and the cravings – and your family isn’t looking forward to them either! – then you have a wealth of options when it comes to quitting successfully.
