Welcome to the Quit Smoking Side Effects Timeline, a quick reference guide for smokers who want to find out what happens when you quit smoking. This timeline is variable and dependent on an individual’s level of addiction. Some will experience all of the day to day quit smoking symptoms and side effects of nicotine withdrawal, while others may only experience a few.
Please note, if you are looking for a timeline on how the body repairs itself as opposed to stages of withdrawal, please be sure to check out the post, What are the Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking?
Quit Smoking Side Effects Timeline
Stage One
First 7 Days
Side Effect – Chronic Physical Cravings.
Chronic physical cravings begin shortly after quitting, then rapidly increase in intensity until they peak somewhere between 48 and 120 hrs, at which point they begin to gradually weaken. Physically, this is the toughest stage of the quit smoking and withdrawal process.
Having a greater awareness of how and why cravings occur, can go along way toward making this quit smoking symptom more manageable…
Side Effect – Irritability and Intense Mood Swings.
These are largely influenced by cravings and will peak at roughly the same time as cravings. If the smoker is also quitting caffeine, the symptom may be worse. With a bit of planning and know how, this quit smoking symptom can also be better managed on a day to day basis…
Side Effect – Intense Fatigue.
A smoker begins an intensive healing process when they quit smoking. This process can severely fatigue the mind and body. Again, if the smoker is also quitting caffeine, the symptom may be worse. It is important to get as much rest as possible and explore ways that can potentially help, by combating the fatigue and tiredness that come with quitting smoking…
Side Effect – Headaches.
It is not unusual for people to experience headaches when they first quit smoking. It is possible, that the headaches experienced during nicotine withdrawal, are the result of fluctuating serotonin levels. This is also a common symptom of caffeine withdrawal. Again, there are some things you can do to manage the head aches on a day to day basis…
Side Effect – Chest Discomfort.
Smokers may experience a tight and uncomfortable feeling in their chest. This just goes away with time. Some may also experience sharp pains in the chest and while this may be normal, it really is a good idea to speak to your doctor and have your lungs checked. Even if only for peace of mind.
Side Effect – Constipation.
Nicotine and tobacco smoking interfere with normal digestive functions. Upon quitting smoking, the digestive system undergoes a radical period of healing. Because of this, the digestive functions of your body may become unsettled as they become accustomed to a life without nicotine and tobacco smoke. Form many, this manifests as constipation…
Side Effect – Flu and Cold Like Symptoms.
As the respiratory system heals, smokers will experience cold and flu like symptoms. The day to day symptoms can be headaches, flashes of hot and cold, chest congestion, cough, sore throat and nasal congestion. The smoker will also likely begin coughing up tar…
Side Effect – Increased Hunger and Weight Gain.
Nicotine is an appetite suppressant. When nicotine users quit, they will increase their appetite. Food, particularly sugary foods, increase dopamine levels and may decrease severity of cravings. There are ways to minimise the weight gain…
Please note, if you are looking for a timeline on how the body repairs itself as opposed to stages of withdrawal, please be sure to check out the post, What are the Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking?
Quit Smoking Side Effects Timeline
Stage One
First 7 Days
Side Effect – Chronic Physical Cravings.
Chronic physical cravings begin shortly after quitting, then rapidly increase in intensity until they peak somewhere between 48 and 120 hrs, at which point they begin to gradually weaken. Physically, this is the toughest stage of the quit smoking and withdrawal process.
Having a greater awareness of how and why cravings occur, can go along way toward making this quit smoking symptom more manageable…
Side Effect – Irritability and Intense Mood Swings.
These are largely influenced by cravings and will peak at roughly the same time as cravings. If the smoker is also quitting caffeine, the symptom may be worse. With a bit of planning and know how, this quit smoking symptom can also be better managed on a day to day basis…
Side Effect – Intense Fatigue.
A smoker begins an intensive healing process when they quit smoking. This process can severely fatigue the mind and body. Again, if the smoker is also quitting caffeine, the symptom may be worse. It is important to get as much rest as possible and explore ways that can potentially help, by combating the fatigue and tiredness that come with quitting smoking…
Side Effect – Headaches.
It is not unusual for people to experience headaches when they first quit smoking. It is possible, that the headaches experienced during nicotine withdrawal, are the result of fluctuating serotonin levels. This is also a common symptom of caffeine withdrawal. Again, there are some things you can do to manage the head aches on a day to day basis…
Side Effect – Chest Discomfort.
Smokers may experience a tight and uncomfortable feeling in their chest. This just goes away with time. Some may also experience sharp pains in the chest and while this may be normal, it really is a good idea to speak to your doctor and have your lungs checked. Even if only for peace of mind.
Side Effect – Constipation.
Nicotine and tobacco smoking interfere with normal digestive functions. Upon quitting smoking, the digestive system undergoes a radical period of healing. Because of this, the digestive functions of your body may become unsettled as they become accustomed to a life without nicotine and tobacco smoke. Form many, this manifests as constipation…
Side Effect – Flu and Cold Like Symptoms.
As the respiratory system heals, smokers will experience cold and flu like symptoms. The day to day symptoms can be headaches, flashes of hot and cold, chest congestion, cough, sore throat and nasal congestion. The smoker will also likely begin coughing up tar…
Side Effect – Increased Hunger and Weight Gain.
Nicotine is an appetite suppressant. When nicotine users quit, they will increase their appetite. Food, particularly sugary foods, increase dopamine levels and may decrease severity of cravings. There are ways to minimise the weight gain…
No comments:
Post a Comment