The Most Common Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

Quitting smoking provides lots of positive effects for the body. However, it also comes with a number of discomforting nicotine withdrawal symptoms that can scare off people attempting to stop smoking. To quit smoking requires great perseverance and determination because the process produces symptoms which are just temporary however it can really be uncomfortable as long as it lasts. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms often mimic the symptoms of cold and flu.

The first few weeks after quitting smoking are really critical because symptoms are getting intolerable and unbearable. In this period, the individual’s perseverance and determination are tested intensely. During this time, the mental and physical nicotine withdrawal symptoms are more likely to occur four hours after taking the last cigarette. For an ex-smoker, it actually takes 8-12 weeks before life returns to normal wherein nicotine withdrawal symptoms begin to vanish gradually.

Physical Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

The most common symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are insomnia, dizziness and fatigue. Dizziness is normal after withdrawing from nicotine because the body gets extra amount of oxygen which it doesn’t get for a long period of time. It can be surmount by engaging in daily exercise. Fatigue should also be expected when quitting smoking because nicotine serves as a stimulant. Quitting smoking leads to the absence of stimulant which makes an individual feel sleepy, tired and restless for a couple of weeks. While others are getting sleepy as they quit smoking, other people suffer from difficulty in falling and keeping asleep. Frequent thoughts about smoking and the desire to smoke make an individual awake throughout the night. Other people who ceased from smoking experience an intense craving to smoke very often.

Some people tend to suffer from sore throat, sore tongue, dry mouth, painful gums, post nasal drip and tightness of the chest when they cease from smoking. These symptoms occur because the body gets rid of mucous that has blocked the airways and caused restricted breathing. Tightness of the chest is experienced due to coughing and the attempt of the lungs to get rid of tar and mucous. Other tends to become more irritable and cranky which are often accompanied by stomach gas, stomach gas, flatulence and constipation. These symptoms will eventually fade through daily intake of 6-8 glasses of fluid. Weight gain should also be expected to people who have quit smoking.

Other physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal symptoms include profuse sweating, tingling hands and feet and presence of intestinal disorders such as nausea and cramps. Coughing is always expected after withdrawing from nicotine. In fact, a research result revealed that 60% of the ex-smokers begin to suffer from cough on the second day of their mission. Meanwhile, 48% report the occurrence of cough one week after they have given up smoking. Lastly, 15% of the ex-smoker suffered from cough after a month. Headache is also normal to people who quit smoking. Headache happens because the body was used to get a limited amount of oxygen as it is replaced by carbon monoxide and other unwanted chemicals found in tobacco smoke. The increased supply of oxygen to the brain can trigger headache because the body was not get used to it for a long period of time. Headaches can also be triggered by the stress, pressure and sleeping disturbances which are caused by nicotine withdrawal.

Emotional Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

Emotional responses to nicotine withdrawal symptoms include intense needs, temper tantrums, a near paralysis state and feelings of dependency. Other emotional symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include mental confusion, vagueness and anxiety. Others even tend to suffer from short term and long term depression. Anger and anxiety should always be expected from people who ceased from smoking because of the loss of something which is considered to be important for how many years.

Coping with Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

But of course, there are ways on how to cope with these nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The first effective in overcoming these symptoms is to delay the urge until is disappears. Through time, an individual will learn to control craving to smoke and eventually eliminate the habit of cigarette smoking. Furthermore, when the urge to smoke is getting intensed, it would be best to distract yourself. Taking a walk with a friend or conversing with someone can redirect an individual’s attention. Drinking plenty of water, relaxation and deep breathing can also help in controlling the urge to smoke. And more importantly, a discussion with people who have been in the same situation before can help in providing additional encouragement and motivation to an individual to continue his mission.