What are the health consequences of quitting smoking abruptly

Probably every smoker, at least once, has thought about the need to stop this bad habit, and every second or third tries to do so. But attempts to "tie up" are not always successful. Not everyone dares to quit smoking abruptly, and the consequences of quitting smoking abruptly can be unpredictable. Is it really like that? Maybe quitting cigarettes once and for all is much easier? With the question of why it's impossible to abruptly quit smoking, we'll find out in this article.

smoking cessation and consequences for the body

destructive nicotine

Everyone knows that smoking is unsafe, and the Ministry of Health never tires of warning about it. But not everyone knows what damage nicotine and its breakdown products can do to the human body. What will happen to the body if you don't stop for a while? What are the consequences of disrupting the normal way of life?

Smoking tobacco products can become a triggering mechanism in the development of systemic diseases, many of which are fatal. A person who is addicted to nicotine has a shorter life expectancy of nearly 10 years than their non-smoking counterpart. The harm of smoking is obvious:

  • Development of oncopathologies. Smoking is virtually the leading cause of lung cancer. In addition, swallowing saliva containing nicotine breakdown products significantly increases the risk of tumors in the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
  • Chronic lung disease. The so-called "smoker's bronchitis" can be complicated by serious illnesses such as pulmonary emphysema, bronchiectasis, atelectasis.
  • Violation of the cardiovascular system. An increase in the load on the heart, under the influence of nicotine, leads to tachycardia, hypertension, heart attacks. There is a change in the structure of the vascular walls, the number of atherosclerotic plaques increases, the risk of blood clots and vascular blockages increases. Endarteritis obliterans develops, leading to amputation of the lower extremities.
  • Due to the narrowing of vessels in Organs pelvic organs, various disorders develop and premature impotence occurs in men.
  • Due to the harmful effects of nicotine, retinal degeneration gradually develops, the optic nerve suffers, and the smoker is at risk of permanently losing normal vision.
  • Likewise, there is damage to the auditory nerve and a destructive effect on the internal structures of the hearing aid. In addition, taste and smell are blunted.
  • The smoker's appearance is visibly deteriorated, which is especially pronounced in women. The skin turns yellow, premature wrinkles appear, the lips turn blue. In the morning, you may notice that the skin on your face is swollen. All of this is a "smoker face" characteristic.
  • In addition, nicotine darkens teeth and bad breath arises.

    Is it easy to play?

    Doctors' views on drastic smoking cessation are also controversial. Yes, you can quit smoking suddenly, and it really is much easier, but that's only if you're not a heavy smoker who changes cigarette after cigarette.

    People with smoking experience for no more than five years may suddenly stop smoking. This is because during this period the body does not yet have time to acquire a "bouquet" of chronic illnesses and the consequences of refusal will not be very pronounced.

    If a person who smokes a lot for a long time has decided to quit the bad habit and stop smoking, it is still better to do it gradually, as this is a very serious stress for the body, which can cause undesirable symptoms or exacerbation of chronic diseases.

    Without nicotine constantly coming in from the outside, the body must rebuild itself as quickly as possible to independently produce the necessary amount of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter with the help of which neuromuscular transmissions are carried out. A smoker was given acetylcholine from the cigarette and, after a severe refusal with a long history of smoking, a lack of acetylcholine can cause irritability, memory loss, lethargy, rapid fatigue, and depression. That's why many fail to quit smoking with a break of no more than a week.

    Also, quitting smoking immediately and abruptly is very difficult psychologically, and morally unprepared people give up and buy cigarettes again.

    The psychological aspect of giving up this addiction is of particular importance during pregnancy. The stress caused by lack of nicotine has a strong effect on a woman's morale, but the damage from smoking is much greater. Nicotine and its tar have a toxic effect on the child's body, it can lead to weakening of pregnancy, birth defects. Therefore, when a woman is responsible for one more life, it pays to make the right choice and stop smoking abruptly, without prolonging this process.

    Experiencing Willpower

    Is it possible to stop smoking abruptly? Did you stop smoking abruptly or gradually? What will happen to the body then? After a sudden stop smoking, a person becomes more aware of everything that happens to their body, and the health consequences can be very different. Unpleasant moments and symptoms appear in your life:

    The morning cough gets worse. This is one of the first signs of restructuring - the body is trying to clear the lungs, get rid of the toxic and harmful components of cigarette smoke, and get used to a smoke-free life.

    General weakness and lethargy are consequences of nicotine withdrawal, which can be expressed to varying degrees in different people. But they are necessarily present in the lives of those who have stopped smoking. In addition to weakness, feelings of confusion, inattention, and forgetfulness can be expressed.

    With a long history of smoking, nicotine is so easily accepted by the body that metabolic processes are adjusted to its constant supply. Therefore, with a sudden cessation of smoking, metabolic processes, returning to the usual "uncommon" channel, can cause a sensation of shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, nausea, bradycardia.

    When an experienced smoker abruptly stops smoking, he has a psychological problem - there is a feeling that he is missing something very personal and important. Therefore, it is important to have the right attitude and, if necessary, to work with a psychologist.

    The only advantage with a blunt throw is that, after experiencing the consequences in the acute period, a person begins to intensely lose the urge to smoke again. The opinion of people who stop smoking on this matter is determined - you need to stop smoking as soon as possible, and it is best to do so under the supervision of a doctor. Even if at this point you really want to smoke, you have to take it and then the obsessive thoughts of picking up a cigarette keep showing up less and less.

    Nicotine abstinence

    If you stop smoking abruptly, a stronger, younger body will more easily tolerate a lack of nicotine, will have short-term manifestations of the above symptoms. But it is not possible to stop smoking abruptly in the elderly, as their defense mechanisms are weakened and nicotine withdrawal can occur. Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms:

    • increased anxiety;
    • uncontrolled outbursts of anger;
    • severe irritability, intolerance;
    • sudden mood swings with a predominance of bad;
    • concentration disorders;
    • insomnia;
    • a constant feeling of hunger that cannot be satisfied.

    The state of withdrawal from nicotine can be dangerous to health, the stress experienced by the body is especially pronounced on the second or third day of refusal and, especially if the smoker is a heart smoker, he needs medication. Therefore, it is harmful to stop smoking abruptly.

    slow but safe

    When you gradually stop smoking, there are no serious nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The nicotine level gently decreases day by day, cigarettes gradually fade into the background and then disappear from life forever. This method of refusal is good with a long experience of smoking, but it has a significant disadvantage - when stopping smoking gradually, the person will still feel craving for nicotine for a long time, it will start to weaken in months. Also, if you don't stop smoking abruptly, all of the above problems won't be relevant to you.

    You can live with the bad habit of smoking, the main thing is to be willing and get in tune with success. If you don't have enough willpower to put a pack of cigarettes aside forever, you can use a nicotine patch. To avoid the temptation to pick up a cigarette, remove all lighters and ashtrays from the house, replace them with candy vases.

    If you smoke in your company and it is very difficult to deal with the urge to smoke, try to trick your subconscious - drink any drink with a straw.

    Drink green tea more often - it will help to quickly remove toxins from your body, which means the "withdrawal" period will be less pronounced.

    And, of course, if you decide to quit smoking not abruptly, start playing sports. Active movement and sufficient muscle load weaken your craving for nicotine, prevent weight gain, improve your well-being and elevate your mood.