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Withdrawal Symptoms & Why You Should Quit smoking |
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Written by Webmaster
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Friday, 01 February 2008 |
By Brenda Ventano
 You know it is tough to quit smoking if youve tried and failed. Many smokers become edgy just thinking about quitting. But why is it so difficult? The answer is nicotine: a drug naturally found in tobacco which is highly addictive. The body becomes physically dependent on nicotine over time and your mind becomes addicted from a psychological standpoint. To be successful in quitting you must overcome both addictions.
Withdrawl Symptoms
When you try to cut back or quit smoking, nicotines absence leads to withdrawl symptoms. If you want to successfully quit smoking you must deal with both. Withdrawal symptoms can include depression, feelings of frustration and anger, trouble concentrating, irritability, trouble sleeping, restlessness, headache and increased appetite.
Many people start to smoke again simply to get rid of the symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms will occur if a person who has smoked regularly greatly reduces the amount smoked or abruptly stops using tobacco. Symptoms start after a few hours from the last cigarette and about 2 to 3 days later peak, and they can last several weeks.
Why Quit?
Health concerns should
be on top of the list of reasons to quit smoking. Smoking can cause not only lung cancer, but also many other kinds of cancer such as cancer of the mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), esophagus, kidney, cervix, some leukemias, bladder, pancreas and stomach. Smokers are more likely to die from heart attack than nonsmokers. Smoking also causes yellow fingernails, wrinkling of the skin, bad smelling clothes and hair, bad breath and an increased risk of macular degeneration.
Special Risks at Women
For women over 35 who use birth control pills, smoking is a risk factor for heart attack, blood clots of the legs, and stroke. Also a lower birth-weight baby and having a miscarriage are unique risks for women.
It is Never to Late!
No matter how old you are or how long you've smoked, if you quit smoking you will have a greater chance to live longer. Quitting before age 35 helps to avoid 90% of the risks attributable to tobacco. And even if you quit smoking later in life you can significantly reduce the risk of a premature death.
If you find it hard to quit smoking, remember that, in the long run, your life will improve with fewer illnesses from flu viruses and cold, reduced rates of pneumonia and bronchitis, and better self-reported health status.
Brenda Ventano quit smoking 14 years ago. She writes many articles to assist others in doing the same. Read more at Stop Smoking. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 01 February 2008 )
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