Discovering the Harsh Withdrawal Symptoms in Your Quest to Stop Smoking

You have set out in a goal to stop smoking, this of course is a great idea, however are you really prepared for the potential consequences.  Of course, your health will enjoy a great benefit from the decreased smoking, but your body is going to have a period of adjustment as it works to handle all of the harsh effects that smoking has caused.  Being fully aware of these potential negative side effects will ensure that you are properly prepared to attempt quitting the right way.  Just saying that you want to quit is simply not enough, you need to actually make an effort and be prepared.

One of the most common side effects to quitting that you may experience is small spells of dizziness.  These are typically only present in the first few days as your body works to regulate hormone production.  If you just pause for a brief moment anytime the dizziness occurs it will generally pass quickly.  If you try to press forth with activities during these spells you could become injured so taking your time is critical.

Headaches are another common withdrawal symptom.  This is something that occurs very commonly.  Your best line of defense is any typical headache remedy that you prefer.  Many will opt with a mild pain reliever while others will focus on relaxing techniques.  Regardless of the method, try not to suffer too badly with a headache or it could encourage you to smoke to relieve the stress the headache is causing you.

Tightness in your chest and even coughing is another common withdrawal symptom.  As your body is adjusting to the lack of nicotine, it will start to also clear out the excess chemicals that are built up.  This can cause several different reactions.  Many people often mistake the chest tightening with having a heart attack.  If you are certain that it is a heart attack rather than just standard chest tightening, make sure to get immediate medical attention.

One of the last major withdrawal symptoms is tiredness.  While of course this is a problem that plagues almost anyone who can breathe it becomes an even bigger issue when trying to quit smoking.  Often smokers use cigarettes as a way to give them a boost of energy, this can be helpful while you are smoking but the lack of energy as you are trying to quit can make you stressed, as well as weaken your resolve to actually quit.  Try to ensure that you are getting plenty of sleep to combat this symptom as much as possible.  Most people are able to return to their normal routine, minus the smoking after just a few short weeks.

Your body may experience additional withdrawal symptoms.  How you handle them is typically left up to you as long as they remain mild, however at any sign of serious health problems you need to seek the advice and supervision of a doctor to ensure that there are not additional health problems that are being mislabeled as a withdrawal symptom.  Talking to your doctor and letting them know that you plan to quit is typically a good idea so that they can also closely monitor your physical health during the difficult struggle.  After all, an ounce of prevention is worth any time it may take to protect your health.

                                                                                                            - Mohammed Zahran -