5 Most Common Side Effects of Quitting Smoking and How to Cope

Unfortunately, when you stop smoking, it is common to experience withdrawal symptoms. The side effects of quitting can be diverse. Not everyone experiences the side effects of abstinence to the same extent. This is because our bodies face the lack of nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco smoke in different ways.

Side effects of quitting

1. Cigarette cravings continue after quitting.
2. Quitting smoking can cause insomnia.
3. After quitting smoking you will still cough.
4. Quitting smoking can cause depression, anxiety and irritability.
5. If you stop smoking, you may gain weight or have more appetite.
6. Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things a person can do. Nicotine is a multifaceted drug that millions of Americans struggle with each year. Remember, you are not alone in your quest to stop smoking and recover your health. That said, quitting smoking will not make you feel better instantly. In the paragraphs below, you will find details on the five most common symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, as well as information on various methods you can use to cope with this uncomfortable time.

This article tries to prepare you for the possible side effects you may experience after quitting. It also provides you with useful information on how to deal with these side effects. You can find details about each of these withdrawal symptoms below.

1. Cigarette cravings continue after quitting

After quitting smoking, nicotine cravings are more common. Normally, a wish can last around five minutes and can be very overwhelming. The use of a nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches or chewing gum, can help reduce the power of the desire to smoke.

You will still need a contingency plan to overcome the cravings for smoking. There are no quick fixes for smoking cravings. Focus on the reasons why you have decided to quit smoking and the benefits you will get when you succeed. Try to divert your attention by walking a little or practicing breathing exercises.

2. Quitting smoking can cause insomnia

Your body reacts to a lack of nicotine (a stimulant) after quitting smoking by craving more stimulants, such as caffeine. This is often why, after quitting smoking, you become irritable and restless while your body adjusts.

To minimize this side effect, you should reduce the intake of coffee, tea, cola and stimulant drinks with caffeine. Try decaffeinated products or replace tea and coffee with fruit juice or herbal tea.

3. After you quit smoking you will still have a cough.

Often, after quitting smoking, cough may develop. This is due to the cilia (small hairs) that line the lungs and trachea, which grow back and work to eliminate the tar and mucus that accumulated during the time he was a smoker. Your body is healing itself. If your cough lasts more than a couple of weeks, consult your doctor or health care provider. Coughing can no longer be a side effect of quitting smoking.

4. Quitting smoking can cause depression, anxiety and irritability.

One of the most feared side effects of quitting smoking, especially by those around you, is the ill-treatment and bad tempers that are often associated with quitting. Try to stay stress-free, eat healthy and plan some light exercise in your day, as it will help you relax.

5. If you stop smoking, you may gain weight or have a greater appetite.

Many people, especially women, fear to gain weight after quitting. There are some reasons why people experience weight gain.

You may experience sugar cravings. This is because nicotine is a stimulant and gives you an adrenaline rush that, in turn, causes your body to discharge sugar. After quitting smoking, your body has a lower level of blood sugar. The release of sugar is no longer stimulated. Eating small healthy snacks throughout the day helps reduce sugar cravings. Eating can replace your smoking habit, so be sure to have healthy snacks available and do not replace your habit of smoking cigarettes with candy or chocolate.

After quitting smoking, your taste buds suddenly rediscover the true taste of the food, so eat more! If you are experiencing an increase in appetite, try drinking a glass of water before meals to feel fuller more quickly.

By knowing what to expect after quitting, you can prepare in advance. If you prepare for the withdrawal symptoms of smoking, you are more likely to achieve your goal of not smoking.

Frequently asked questions about nicotine withdrawal

Now that we have explored the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, let's examine some of the most frequently asked questions about the long-term effects of stopping this drug.

How long does it take to feel the effects of nicotine withdrawal?

The first symptoms of withdrawal are cravings for a cigarette, followed by anxiety, anger, irritation and decreased mental function. These problems accumulate, causing attention problems and difficulty in completing tasks. Most of these symptoms peaks in approximately 3-5 days after quitting. With time, they begin to diminish.

How long does it take your body to start repairing after quitting?

It takes your body about eight hours after you stop smoking so that the carbon monoxide begins to leave your body. As your body tries to maintain homeostasis, oxygen levels will begin to stabilize. Smoking causes mucus and other waste to accumulate in the lungs. This can take a lot more time to get rid of. While it may take as little as one day after your last cigarette to cleanse your lungs, your lungs are still badly damaged.

Do your lungs heal after you stop smoking?

When you stop smoking, the inflammation in the airways decreases. However, if you have been smoking for a long time and have developed chronic bronchitis or emphysema, your lungs never fully heal.

Is it normal to eliminate phlegm after quitting?

After quitting smoking, the cilia begin to recover. As the cilia recover, they will better eliminate the mucus and phlegm from the lungs. This process can cause a cough that can take from one to nine months. Some people may also notice that they cough more than usual when they initially stop smoking.

Is Vaping better for you than smoking cigarettes?

Many people who try to quit smoking have considered using electronic cigarettes. Many times, since nicotine is still present and the habitual movements of the smoker do not change, smokers simply replace one method of administration of nicotine with another. However, there is a strong scientific consensus that vaping is much better for health than smoking. Vaping does not put tar in your lungs, but the harmful effects of using nicotine are still present. It is better to avoid smoking altogether.

Can nicotine patches help me control my withdrawal symptoms?

Yes, nicotine patches can help accelerate your withdrawal symptoms. However, some people become addicted to the patches and the transdermal absorption of nicotine remains dangerous to long-term health. Starting with a nicotine patch of medium potency and withdrawing from the medication has been an effective method that many have used. If going with the cold turkey is too difficult, then this option can be useful. Reducing your intact nicotine can be an effective way to lessen the pain of withdrawal.

Can I still have lung cancer after quitting?

Unfortunately, you can still get lung cancer after you stop smoking. Quitting smoking will greatly reduce the risk of lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases. The risk of these diseases decreases after quitting smoking and continues to decrease as you spend more tobacco-free time. While the risk of lung cancer decreases over time, it can never return to that of someone who has never smoked.