Many people think that they will fail to improve their health and restore their body after long-term use of nicotine. People do not give up a bad habit and make addiction worse. Medicine, however, claims that a person who quits smoking benefits only an hour after the last cigarette.
Changes after smoking cessation
The body has an amazing ability to heal itself. As soon as the poisonous tar, nicotine stops entering the body, the cleansing of the damaged tissues begins. A month without cigarettes the brain regenerates, breaking the cycle of addiction.
The first hours
Just 20 minutes after the last cigarette smoked, blood pressure, heart rate, hand and foot temperature return to normal. The concentration of carbon monoxide decreases, oxygen enters the blood, tissues and blood vessels are fed. After 8 hours, the amount of residual nicotine in the blood decreases to 6, 25% of the usual level per day, which is 93, 75% less.
After 12 hours, the oxygen in the blood normalizes and the carbon monoxide drops. The heart beats smoothly, the risk of attack is halved. The person rejoices in the decision made, the mood rises.
Craving rarely occurs, only 2-3 minutes, and it is easy to turn away from it.
The first day
The activity of the recovery process increases every day:
- Nicotine levels are reduced to negligible amounts.
- The heartbeat stabilizes. Veins and arteries do not experience cramps.
- The senses of taste and smell become sharper.
- After three days the lung volume increases. The bronchi are cleared.
- Blood vessel tone is restored.
- The internal organs are gradually regenerating.
- By the fourth day, blood flow to the brain returns to normal.
- On the sixth day, the dark mucus is removed. Inflammation of nerve endings is alleviated.
In the first few days the physiological changes are very active, the body is quickly cleansed of toxins. In this context, dizziness, tinnitus, jumps in blood pressure occur. The psychological state changes daily from euphoria to irritability, tears, insomnia, hunger pangs or refusal to eat, headaches.
Quitting smoking abruptly is not as difficult as living the first week without cigarettes. Overcoming this barrier significantly increases the chances of getting rid of addiction.
The first weeks
On the seventh day, the physical dependence on tobacco ceases. The body begins to function fully and normally without nicotine supplementation. Emotionally, the person feels shaken at this point.
Smoking is not a physiological need, but a common daily ritual.
In the next two to four weeks, due to improved blood circulation, the quality of life changes significantly:
- Shortness of breath practically disappears. Lung function is increased by 30%.
- Sports endurance increases.
- Sight and hearing are getting better.
- The chronic cough stops.
- The cells of the stomach, pancreas, and intestines are regenerated.
- The total energy level is rising.
- The immune system is strengthened.
A year later
The decision to quit smoking abruptly will completely change your life.
There is an influx of energy, health improves:
- The second month - the cells will renew 2-3 times.
- Third, the blood vessels will be restored.
- Fourth, the skin will change, the internal organs will return to normal, they will become like those of non-smokers.
- Fifth - liver regeneration occurs.
- Sixth - the blood will be completely renewed, breathing will become much easier, the muscles will be stronger.
Processes continue until the end of the year, bringing positive changes in all areas. Within a few months, the chances of erectile dysfunction decrease, and the chances of a healthy sex life increase, regardless of gender.
Smoking thins the cerebral cortex. There are decision-making problems, risk, lack of control over one’s condition, early dementia, and 14% of Alzheimer’s cases worldwide. Immediately quitting smoking is the right conclusion. In 11 months without smoke, the bark thickens and improves the quality of thoughts, decisions and actions.
After a year, the body will fully recover. The risk of stroke will be 30-35%. The probability of a heart attack will be halved. The risk of cancer, liver disease will be reduced by 90%.
Consequences of abrupt cessation of smoking
Sudden cessation of smoking does not always mean great stress for the psyche and the human body. When the "smoky" experience is short, the parting will pass peacefully, if it is long, then difficulties will surely arise.
Smoking cessation after the age of 50 is more difficult due to chronic diseases. Once you have overcome addiction at this age, there is a chance to increase the duration and quality of life.
Because of looks
Fears of weight gain are justified, because the rejection of nicotine causes bouts of hunger, cravings for sweets. These phenomena pass. Proper nutrition helps you lose weight. Tomatoes, eggplant, cauliflower, potatoes contain a percentage of nicotine. These vegetables will help reduce the craving for tobacco, lose weight and will not harm your health.
For internal organs
- Immunity loses stimulus, becomes depressed. In the beginning, it is quite possible to catch a cold or catch a virus.
- Cough - toxins do not enter, do not envelop the walls of the lungs and bronchi, and sputum discharge, deep wheezing intensify. Attacks are becoming more frequent. They are associated with cleaning the pulmonary apparatus of resin. Sometimes the process speaks of inflammation and it will not be superfluous to visit a doctor.
- Dizziness - constantly spasmodic vessels begin to expand and give such a reaction.
- Intestine - there is a restructuring, renewal of the mucosa, so the stool is disturbed.
For good
Headaches, muscle cramps associated with internal organs, appear in the first stage and soon disappear. Working ability, memory, ability to concentrate worsen, drowsiness or insomnia occur. These symptoms are normal for a nicotine-free regimen. The reason is a rush of oxygen, and the body "doesn’t know" what to do with it.
For the mood
Irritability, anxiety, depression, aggression accumulate due to loss of usual pleasure. These phenomena last from a few days to a week, disappearing over time.
Nicotine withdrawal syndrome
Anything that bothers in the initial stage, when a person has decided to abruptly stop smoking, is called abstinence. This is an acute deficiency of constantly receiving substances, an attempt by the body to restore balance.
The syndrome occurs shortly after the last cigarette.
It lasts from a few days to two to three months, gradually weakening:
- Breathing becomes difficult, shortness of breath occurs, coughing intensifies.
- The stool is disturbed, the appetite is disturbed, there are unpleasant sensations of taste in the oral cavity. Food becomes disgusting, constant nausea.
- The hands tremble, the person sweats, does not sleep, worries, becomes irritated. Attention and memory are scattered.
- The duration of the syndrome depends on how old the smoker is, how many cigarettes he has consumed daily.
The psychological attitude is important: if it is decisive, then there is little abstinence. When they are forced - the symptoms will be severe, prolonged.
What to do:
- To endure, to be restrained.
- Use special preparations.
- Avoid companies that smoke.
- Walk more.
- Get involved in hard work.
- Change your diet. Leave the alcohol.
- Increase physical activity.
- Read useful literature.
If you feel that the malfunction is approaching, you can not cope - see a doctor. He will prescribe medication.
What will happen if you start smoking again
Health problems will appear quickly. Rest from tobacco use has had a beneficial effect on the functioning of all systems in the body. He stopped the development of diseases caused by long-term consumption of nicotine. If a rehabilitated experienced smoker takes over the old one, the problems will continue with revenge, they will become irreversible.
After they start smoking after a break, people increase their tobacco consumption two to three times in a very short time and cannot stop. This is how all addictions work.