<p>Nicotine is an addiction that’s not easy to kick and not everyone wanting to quit is successful in their attempt. While studies show that 70 per cent of smokers indicate they want to quit, a meagre 2 per cent succeed. A huge dose of will power combined with support from healthcare professionals and the use of a smoking cessation aid can more than double a person’s chances of success.<br /><br />Nicotine is a chemical present in the tobacco plant. While smoking/ chewing tobacco, nicotine gets absorbed in the blood and reaches the brain. It then activates the area of the brain which gives an individual the feeling of satisfaction/ pleasure. Soon the brain seeks this feeling regularly, making nicotine addictive. In the absence of nicotine, smokers experience irritability, insomnia, headaches, constipation and stomach pain among other withdrawal symptoms.<br /><br />The process of quitting should be carried out with proper support and understanding of how to deal with nicotine withdrawal to make the attempt successful. Upon quitting, the reformed smoker’s body starts to recover and the accumulated harmful effects of smoking start to gradually normalise.<br /><br />This process starts about 20 minutes after the last cigarette and lasts up to 10-20 years! Blood pressure drops to normal, pulse rate drops to normal and circulation starts to improve 20 minutes after the last puff. Within 8 hours the oxygen level in the body will increase to its normal level and the carbon dioxide level will drop. The risk of cancer reduces more slowly and may take up to 20 years to come to a level of non-smoker of the same age. <br /><br />Thus this process of recovery goes on for 20 years. And just one cigarette during this period can set the person back all over again! <br /><br />Within 12 hours after the person has quit smoking, the levels of carbon monoxide and nicotine in his/her system will decline rapidly, and the heart and lungs will begin to repair the damage caused by cigarette smoke. As the body begins to repair itself, instead of feeling better right away, the person may feel worse for a while. It’s important to understand that healing is a process. It begins immediately, but it continues over time. These ‘withdrawal pangs’ are really symptoms of the recovery process.<br /><br />Immediately after quitting, many experience symptoms of recovery such as temporary weight gain caused by fluid retention and dry, sore gums or tongue. The person may feel edgy, hungry, tired, and more short-tempered than usual and have trouble sleeping. <br /><br />Although nicotine withdrawal may cause anxiety, irritability, headache, hunger and a desperate craving, it important to avoid reaching out for a cigarette. <br /><br />Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is the use of various forms of cleaner nicotine delivery methods intended to replace nicotine obtained from smoking or other tobacco usage that gets mixed with toxins and carcinogens. Several forms of NRT have been marketed, including the nicotine patch, nicotine inhaler, nasal spray, gum, sublingual tablet, and lozenge. As a method of delivering nicotine into the bloodstream, NRT is far less dangerous method than smoking, say doctors.<br /><br />Once the withdrawal symptoms are dealt with using NRT, it allows the person to focus on using will power to change the habits that perpetuate this addiction.<br /><br /> Smoking hooks a person in multiple ways. The addiction has behavioural and emotional components as well and therefore the process of quitting needs patience and support.<br /><br />The next time you reach out for a cigarette think of the time your body will take to recover and ask yourself if it’s worth the setback. <br /><br />Quitting is a process that takes time. It is important to stay strong and focused, and to support your effort through smoking cessation aids to double your chances of quitting.</p>
<p>Nicotine is an addiction that’s not easy to kick and not everyone wanting to quit is successful in their attempt. While studies show that 70 per cent of smokers indicate they want to quit, a meagre 2 per cent succeed. A huge dose of will power combined with support from healthcare professionals and the use of a smoking cessation aid can more than double a person’s chances of success.<br /><br />Nicotine is a chemical present in the tobacco plant. While smoking/ chewing tobacco, nicotine gets absorbed in the blood and reaches the brain. It then activates the area of the brain which gives an individual the feeling of satisfaction/ pleasure. Soon the brain seeks this feeling regularly, making nicotine addictive. In the absence of nicotine, smokers experience irritability, insomnia, headaches, constipation and stomach pain among other withdrawal symptoms.<br /><br />The process of quitting should be carried out with proper support and understanding of how to deal with nicotine withdrawal to make the attempt successful. Upon quitting, the reformed smoker’s body starts to recover and the accumulated harmful effects of smoking start to gradually normalise.<br /><br />This process starts about 20 minutes after the last cigarette and lasts up to 10-20 years! Blood pressure drops to normal, pulse rate drops to normal and circulation starts to improve 20 minutes after the last puff. Within 8 hours the oxygen level in the body will increase to its normal level and the carbon dioxide level will drop. The risk of cancer reduces more slowly and may take up to 20 years to come to a level of non-smoker of the same age. <br /><br />Thus this process of recovery goes on for 20 years. And just one cigarette during this period can set the person back all over again! <br /><br />Within 12 hours after the person has quit smoking, the levels of carbon monoxide and nicotine in his/her system will decline rapidly, and the heart and lungs will begin to repair the damage caused by cigarette smoke. As the body begins to repair itself, instead of feeling better right away, the person may feel worse for a while. It’s important to understand that healing is a process. It begins immediately, but it continues over time. These ‘withdrawal pangs’ are really symptoms of the recovery process.<br /><br />Immediately after quitting, many experience symptoms of recovery such as temporary weight gain caused by fluid retention and dry, sore gums or tongue. The person may feel edgy, hungry, tired, and more short-tempered than usual and have trouble sleeping. <br /><br />Although nicotine withdrawal may cause anxiety, irritability, headache, hunger and a desperate craving, it important to avoid reaching out for a cigarette. <br /><br />Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is the use of various forms of cleaner nicotine delivery methods intended to replace nicotine obtained from smoking or other tobacco usage that gets mixed with toxins and carcinogens. Several forms of NRT have been marketed, including the nicotine patch, nicotine inhaler, nasal spray, gum, sublingual tablet, and lozenge. As a method of delivering nicotine into the bloodstream, NRT is far less dangerous method than smoking, say doctors.<br /><br />Once the withdrawal symptoms are dealt with using NRT, it allows the person to focus on using will power to change the habits that perpetuate this addiction.<br /><br /> Smoking hooks a person in multiple ways. The addiction has behavioural and emotional components as well and therefore the process of quitting needs patience and support.<br /><br />The next time you reach out for a cigarette think of the time your body will take to recover and ask yourself if it’s worth the setback. <br /><br />Quitting is a process that takes time. It is important to stay strong and focused, and to support your effort through smoking cessation aids to double your chances of quitting.</p>
