There is an opinion that in order to obtain nicotine addiction It is enough to smoke from 1 to 3 cigarettes. And it will take about 12 weeks to cleanse the body. This is exactly what the body needs to get rid of nicotine in the blood on its own. The process of self-cleaning is called detoxification. And only after three years the body will be able to finally cleanse itself.

Not all smokers are able to give up their cigarettes easily. bad habit. Refusal tobacco smoke affects the mental and physical state. A person experiences stress, the degree of which depends on moral preparation. For such a weakness as tobacco use, the payment is the discomfort that is felt when quitting smoking.

The intensity and frequency of manifestation of this syndrome varies. It is more painful in those who have smoked for more than 10 years and smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day. But there are cases when, with little experience, a person endured this period much harder. This is due to different willpower and psyche.

Nicotine is a stimulant of metabolic processes and the functioning of all systems. Therefore, when you give up doping, the body has a hard time adjusting to its normal mode of operation, since it has already lost the habit of functioning independently. Painful cessation of smoking is popularly called “withdrawal”, and in medicine – withdrawal syndrome.

Signs and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal

Constant desire to smoke, feeling of tension, irritability due to small things, depression, anxiety, attention and sleep disorders, nausea, various pains, chills, dizziness, convulsions, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air, sweating - such unpleasant moments will have to be experienced when an experienced smoker decides to get rid of this bad habit.

In most cases, withdrawal symptoms directly depend on individual characteristics person. Fortunately, not everyone will need to experience the feeling of discomfort. Many smokers, having survived about two weeks without a cigarette, gradually begin to enjoy life without a smoky potion and begin to feel happy. The obsessive desire gradually disappears, goes away depressive state, it is the clean air that begins to please. A person gets rid of a cough. There will be many more moments when, at the sight of someone smoking, your hand will again begin to reach for a cigarette. But with the right attitude, such thoughts can be driven away.

A person who quits smoking may experience symptoms of poor circulation for some time: headache, weakness. Caffeine-containing products that increase blood pressure can help cope with this condition.

Some people, when they refuse to “smoke”, may begin to “seize” the discomfort. This contributes to rapid weight gain. You need to form your diet correctly: temporarily give up fatty foods, alcoholic drinks, hot seasonings, as they stimulate the appetite. Increase physical activity.

The intestines get used to chemical stimulation and stop working independently. After quitting smoking, problems may begin that sometimes last for several weeks. You need to eat more things that contain a lot of fiber. Include in diet dairy products. If bronchitis or chronic obstructive disease appears due to smoking, then you need to be patient and move a lot to breathe deeper. This will stimulate the cleansing of the bronchi naturally.

How long does nicotine withdrawal last?

Nicotine withdrawal begins approximately an hour after smoking the last cigarette. A small but obsessive desire to smoke appears. After about two hours, a feeling of discomfort comes, and after eight hours - anxiety, irritability, and inability to concentrate. The real withdrawal begins the next day and reaches its peak approximately on the third day from the moment of failure. After the climax, an improvement occurs, although the desire to smoke does not disappear even after a month. During this period, exacerbation is possible chronic diseases, the risk of catching a cold increases.

Tips to help you get through this period easier:

1. Exposure - wait about 3 - 5 minutes until the desire to smoke passes.
2. Distract yourself. Talk to a friend or go for a walk.
3. Drink water to relieve dry mouth.
4. Take deep breaths to relax!

Treatment of nicotine withdrawal syndrome

1. There are many ways to avoid nicotine withdrawal syndrome. But the most important thing is desire person to get rid of addiction. The support of others will be necessary. Doctors advise using skin patches, tablets, and special chewing gum. They offer “coding” and teach patients breathing exercises.
2. Sports activities are considered very beneficial fresh air, relaxation outside the city, which also helps to take your mind off unpleasant feelings.

When quitting smoking, unpleasant physical and psychological sensations, but they can and must be fought. The benefit of quitting smoking will be to reduce the risk of developing serious illnesses and improved well-being. All this outweighs the temporary inconvenience. The desired result can only be achieved with great desire, willpower and Have a good mood.

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Smoker's withdrawal syndrome

What is withdrawal syndrome?

Withdrawal syndrome is a complex of various somatoneurological, and often mental disorders, arising against the background of more or less long-term use alcohol after stopping drinking.

The underlying cause of withdrawal syndrome is the body’s attempt to restore the state that existed during the period of active use of alcohol or other narcotic substances.

For an organism accustomed to existing in a state of chronic intoxication (or receiving a dose of a drug, nicotine), the absence of a narcotic substance is an abnormal state; it cannot bring physiology to the narcotic “norm”. And it is precisely attempts to compensate for the absence of the substance that caused the habit that are manifestations of withdrawal syndrome.

Withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the substance used - the most severe symptoms occur after drugs, the mildest symptoms occur after alcohol, and the least severe withdrawal symptoms occur with smoking. But regardless of the objective assessment, subjective sensations are difficult to bear and cause painful symptoms (withdrawal, hangover, signs of nicotine deficiency).

All symptoms are divided into mild and severe, as well as neurological, somatic, and psychiatric. The appearance of certain symptoms depends on what substances cause the withdrawal state.

In general, the treatment tactics for withdrawal syndrome are similar for different etiological reasons, and consists of the following steps:

1. Treatment of physical manifestations (pain, nausea, vomiting).

Treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a physician. This is largely due to the fact that the effect of many medications during abstinence is distorted, and may even turn out to be the opposite of the expected effect. If the syndrome is limited only to these manifestations, then it is limited outpatient treatment.

2. Relief of psychoneurological disorders (hallucinations, delusions, seizures and others).

It is carried out in a hospital, under the supervision of toxicologists and psychiatrists.

3. Addiction treatment.

But a specific set of drugs is selected depending on the type of addiction: for drug withdrawal; are used potent drugs(antipsychotics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, opioid receptor blockers, beta-blockers, tranquilizers and others) when quitting smoking - with a less active effect.

Smoking withdrawal syndrome

Although the terminology " withdrawal syndrome“hasn’t caught on with regard to smoking (this is due to the fact that nicotine is not officially considered a narcotic drug), all those manifestations that torment people at the first stage of quitting smoking are nothing more than withdrawal, a lack of the usual substance, and the body’s attempts to restore balance .

Smoking withdrawal symptoms appear within a short time - usually within an hour after the last cigarette smoked. His total duration from several days to two months with a gradual decrease in symptoms.

The mildness of symptoms is typical for smoking withdrawal syndrome. This is usually:

• symptoms from the respiratory system: shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, increased cough;
• gastrointestinal symptoms: stool disorders, discomfort in the mouth, bad taste food, appetite disturbances, nausea;
• from the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system: hand tremors, sweating, sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritability, attention and memory problems.

Duration of withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking

It is difficult to identify a general period that is typical for everyone: in many ways, the duration of withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking depends on how long the person smoked and how many cigarettes he smoked per day.

It also cannot be ruled out psychological factor: if a person is determined to quit smoking and does so by his own volitional decision, then the severity and duration of abstinence is small. Those who came to this not of their own free will, but through concessions to loved ones, persuasion, but in their hearts do not believe in success or do not want to give up, then the symptoms will be more severe and longer lasting.

Mild symptoms suggest treatment at home, and main question here - how to relieve the manifestations of nicotine withdrawal. Two directions are proposed:

1. endure, showing willpower and endurance;
2. use smoking cessation products, most of which are designed to relieve withdrawal symptoms.

Such drugs include tablets “Tabex9raquo;, “Champix9raquo;”, “Lobelin9raquo;”, “Cytisin9raquo;”, “Corrida Plus”, “Zyban9raquo;”, “Brizantin9raquo;”. It is noteworthy that this group includes drugs that have a nicotine-replacement effect, antidepressants, and drugs that cause discomfort from smoking (the so-called aversive therapy).

The essence of the use of all these drugs is that, due to their own mechanisms of action, they reduce the severity of symptoms nicotine withdrawal, facilitating the process of quitting smoking.

It should be remembered that nicotine “withdrawal”9raquo; is not the easiest condition for the body, and you shouldn’t take the signs of ill health lightly.

If symptoms, including cough and neurological manifestations, intensify, new ones appear painful sensations, general health goes beyond a slight ailment - you need to immediately consult a doctor, since it is possible that hidden pathologies, both infectious, somatic and neurological, have been added or activated against the background of abstinence.

Withdrawal syndrome in alcoholism

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome - ICD-10: F10.23, F10.23(0-9) - typical for chronic alcoholism. A hangover, despite the popular belief, is not abstinence in the strict sense of the word.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome can vary in severity - from mild to extremely severe.

Signs of mild withdrawal are more common in chronic drinkers, in stage 2 alcoholism, and also after a short period of drinking alcohol. Sometimes severe withdrawal symptoms begin with mild symptoms.

Mild symptoms traditionally include: lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, stool disorders, myalgia (muscle pain), various sleep disorders - from drowsiness to insomnia, nightmares. Often there are manifestations from the cardiovascular system - tachycardia, increase or decrease in blood pressure, irregular pulse.

Irritability, aggressive and restless behavior, mood lability, disorders of higher nervous activity, including memory disorders, are typical. different kinds amnesia.

In the majority cases mild withdrawal is treated on an outpatient basis, but seeing a doctor would be useful, since in this condition many pathologies that can only be recognized by a doctor are often disguised as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and failure to provide medical care for these pathologies is fraught with serious complications, including death.

Severe withdrawal symptoms are typical for long drinking bout, at stage 3 of alcoholism, with deep pathological changes. It is characterized by an increase in the severity of the symptoms of the previous stage within a short time - in 1-3 hours, as well as the addition of the following: confusion, disorientation in time and space, various hallucinations, delirium, convulsions, increased temperature.

The appearance of at least one of the listed signs requires hospitalization in the toxicology department or a specialized department at a narcological hospital. The increase in signs of severe withdrawal syndrome and their outcome in a catastrophe can happen very quickly, so hospitalization cannot be refused.

Among the features of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, the following should be noted:

• mild symptoms develop within 6 to 48 hours, and can last (without treatment) up to 10-15 days;
• severe symptoms may develop within 2-5 days after the last drink; - symptoms do not always develop in stages; they may develop immediately serious condition without a prodromal period in the form of mild symptoms;
• Symptoms often appear or worsen in the evening.

How long does alcohol withdrawal last?

On average the duration at mild form- up to 10 days without treatment or up to 5 days with outpatient treatment. The prognosis for a severe form depends entirely on the type and extent of the developed pathology - withdrawal syndrome is more severe and longer, resulting in alcoholic psychosis, and somatovegetative disorders are easier and shorter lasting.

Treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome is aimed primarily at stabilizing the condition, reducing the intoxication load, and restoring the functions of organs and systems. The tactics are chosen depending on the symptoms that are currently available.

If somatic disorders are expressed, drugs that normalize work are used internal organs, with dominance neurological disorders- appropriate sedatives.

A variety of drugs are used, but among them the introduction of B vitamins, in particular thiamine, is mandatory. Deficiency of vitamins of this group plays a leading role in the formation of alcohol withdrawal.

In addition, chronically drinking people signs of polyhypovitaminosis are expressed, which is also one of the components of the pathogenesis of alcohol withdrawal, and requires the prescription of a complex of vitamins in the form of multivitamin tablets or (if it is not possible oral administration) drugs for parenteral administration

Removal of the syndrome in the clinic

In a hospital setting, at the diagnostic stage, the main indicators of blood biochemistry and OAC, TAM are determined, signs of dehydration are identified, and the severity of symptoms is determined. Drugs are prescribed based not only on their current condition, but also on the patient’s medical history (for example, when alcoholic pathologies benzodiazepines are not indicated for the liver).

The main direction of therapy: stabilization of the neurological condition, recovery acid-base balance. Doses are selected in such a way that the patient is able to fall asleep, but does not lose contact upon awakening. Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and antipsychotics are used.

Among drugs from other groups, it is possible to administer diuretics (for overhydration), magnesium and potassium drugs, cardiovascular drugs, in particular beta1-blockers.

Average length of hospitalization (assuming no alcoholic psychoses) - from three to seven days. When alcoholic psychoses and complications from other organs (in particular, severe pathologies from the gastrointestinal tract are not uncommon), treatment continues under conditions specialized hospital with appropriate selection of drug therapy followed by transfer to outpatient treatment.

Relieving the syndrome at home

Many home-grown “specialists”, having listened to a lot of advice, begin treating withdrawal symptoms at home by installing a drip - intravenous administration saline or detoxification solutions. This is an erroneous tactic, since in many cases, intravenous administration of additional volumes of fluid against the background of existing overhydration leads to the rapid development of complications incompatible with life.

The decision to administer additional volumes of fluid orally or parenterally is decided by the physician based on the totality of examination data and the patient’s condition.

At mild symptoms in conditions outpatient management It is enough to monitor the condition, take vitamins and other medications as prescribed by the doctor.

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Please note that the information presented on the site is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-medication. The selection and prescription of medications, treatment methods, as well as monitoring their use can only be carried out by the attending physician. Be sure to consult a specialist.

The thought of “quitting” is one of the most common among long-time smokers. And the most persecuted. What is there, beyond the line - without the usual ritual of “take it out of the pack, flick the lighter, take the first puff”?

And beyond this line there are at least several days of nicotine abstinence, or withdrawal syndrome. Let's see how scary it is.

What is nicotine withdrawal syndrome?

In general, this is a normal physical and at the same time emotional reaction to the absence or severe reduction of the usual dose of nicotine. Especially if you smoked regularly, for a long time and in large quantities. Your daily pack of cigarettes has gradually become a tool for managing emotions, a way to concentrate, or a reason to take a break from work. It is natural that, having lost such a powerful support, you feel lost.

Although nicotine is completely legal psychoactive drug, but its toxic effects and addictive properties are quite comparable to those substances for which they are given real terms. Some smokers quite seriously claim that giving up alcohol or even cocaine is much easier.

Worse, smoking is not only the physical pleasure of a dose of nicotine, the taste or smell of tobacco smoke, it is also a powerful ritual, belonging to a “cult” and a way of escaping reality. Try and refuse.

So, no matter how you look at it, you will have to get through it. It is impossible to avoid unpleasant sensations. All that remains is to classify them and learn to deal with them.

Nicotine, like any psychoactive substance, affects people differently. Therefore, everyone experiences withdrawal symptoms differently - some are worse physically, others psychologically. But, as a rule, the following problems “cover” everyone:

• sleep problem - difficulty falling asleep or frequent awakening;
• anxiety, unreasonable worry, feeling of loss;
• irritability, mood swings, melancholy;
• difficulty concentrating; increased appetite.

And physical symptoms:

Constipation; increased cough; headache; a sore throat; dry mouth; runny nose.

And what to do with all this?

Frankly speaking, I will not discover America here. There are millions of tips and ways to survive withdrawal syndrome as less painfully as possible. For some, nicotine replacement therapy is suitable, for others - occupational therapy. Some people manage successfully without aids. There is one consolation: sooner or later everything will pass. But there are a few things that really help right now. Tested for myself.

1. You will still be tempted to “eat” unsmoked cigarettes. And in fact you won’t care what it is. Prepare yourself a plate of chopped vegetables and fruits and become a raw foodist for a few days. Oddly enough, stem celery personally brought me to my senses. It’s a terrible disgusting thing if you eat kilograms of it. Yes, a couple of bottles of still drinking water won’t hurt either - you can also wash down the desire to smoke.
2. Now we are desperately lacking dopamine - that same “good mood” neurotransmitter, the dose of which we received for every cigarette we smoked. We urgently need to get it from other sources. Read jokes, watch all the stupidest comedies, chop wood, jump with a parachute. Now anything that is an alternative source of this substance will do.
3. Sleep. When you sleep, you usually don't smoke. Without the stimulating effect of nicotine, you get tired faster and want to sleep. Let yourself get caught up in this vicious circle, especially if your last cigarette happened on the eve of the weekend or vacation. And enjoy sleeping through this nasty time. If you want to sleep. If, on the contrary, you have the insomnia described above, there is absolutely no shame in drinking sedative fees for the night.
4. Breathe and take a break. The moment when you just unbearably want to smoke a cigarette lasts 3–5 minutes. If at this time you begin to inhale and exhale deeply, diligently counting these same inhalations and exhalations, you will feel a lot better. You can do something else to keep your hands busy so that you won’t be able to quit everything right now and run to smoke. Knitting helped me. I swore a lot, but I almost knitted a huge sweater with complex braids.
5. Feel free to talk about it. Yes, it's hard for you. Yes, you are disgusted. Yes, you are now ready to kill those around you. Yes, you are now performing a personal feat. Warn the world about your condition and ask it to take you into account. Usually he goes along with it.

And yes, good luck. Everything will work out.

Snezhana Shabanova

Photo istockphoto.com

Subject of attention modern society Smoking often becomes a problem. New laws should protect non-smokers from the influence of unhealthy habits. But what about those who already smoke? Quitting is not as easy as it seems. And it's not just about addiction. The smoker’s body itself “resists” getting rid of the problem. This is due to nicotine withdrawal syndrome.

General concepts of smoking withdrawal syndrome

SOC (the shortened name of the syndrome) appears after quitting nicotine in experienced smokers. It causes both negative sensations due to changes in habits (in social life, sensation of the taste of tobacco), and withdrawal – deterioration of the condition of all systems human body due to lack of nicotine in the body. Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal range from mild to very severe, requiring treatment in a hospital.

Everyone knows that smoking significantly shortens one’s life.

Let's consider the main features of this pathology:

1. The effects of nicotine on a smoker.

Nicotine is a substance from the group of alkaloids, such as caffeine or capsaicin (found in hot pepper). When it enters the body, it causes cheerfulness, an imaginary surge of strength due to the release of endorphins (hormones of joy) and adrenaline. A person feels good while smoking, but when he quits, he begins to experience stress. The body gets used to the stimulating effects and cannot cope with the load on its own. The second danger is endorphins. They contribute to the “pleasure effect” of smoking, which makes it even more difficult to quit.

1. When does nicotine withdrawal occur?

SOC appears as soon as the level of nicotine in the blood decreases - after an hour or two. The severity of symptoms depends on the length of smoking.

1. How long does nicotine withdrawal last?

The duration of the syndrome depends on the patient. May last from 1-3 weeks for removal acute symptoms up to 2-5 months to bring the body into complete order.

Not everyone heavy smokers makes it easy to quit smoking

1. How is withdrawal syndrome diagnosed?

Except general diagnostics physical condition psychic studies are carried out according to form F17.3. To make a diagnosis, the presence of any two symptoms from the list must be present.

Clinical picture of nicotine withdrawal

The consequences of nicotine withdrawal for the patient’s well-being are, of course, noticeable. There are such clinical manifestations this phenomenon:

• craving for smoking or other nicotine intake;
• causeless anxiety and irritation;
• headache and increased blood pressure;
• discomfort in the heart area;
• inability to concentrate, various forms of tremors;
• complaints of shortness of breath, constant suffocation;
• heavy sweating, weakness;
• an allergic reaction to something;
• worsening or appearance of cough;
• “seizing” of cigarettes and intestinal problems.

Nicotine withdrawal syndrome is insidious pathology. Symptoms do not appear sharply, without any special peaks or troughs. But you can divide them into certain stages:

Consequences of nicotine withdrawal for the patient’s body

If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner and there is no appropriate therapy, the patient may experience problems with the body:

1. The cardiovascular system. There is a disturbance in the heart rhythm, problems with vascular patency, spasms of the veins and capillaries.
2. Metabolism problems. The patient loses control over his weight and appetite.
3. Digestive system. Irritation of the intestinal walls occurs, weakening of smooth muscle activity, and ulcers appear in the mouth.
4. Respiratory system - strengthening of existing or chronic respiratory diseases (bronchitis, tracheitis, inflammation of the nasopharynx).

Treatment of nicotine withdrawal syndrome

Depending on the severity of symptoms, treatment may take place in the hospital or at home. The second is acceptable only when the symptoms do not cause any concern, but even in this situation it is worth contacting a specialist.

Drug treatment for withdrawal symptoms

There are several basic methods of helping with smoking withdrawal syndrome. Not all of them are equally effective, but each has adherents:

1. Nicotine replacement therapy. Treatment is based on replacing smoking with nicotine obtained through other means. Nicorette belongs to this group. The medicine is available in the form of chewing gum, skin patches, and lozenges. For some time, injections of 30% nicotine were in use, the usefulness of which turned out to be controversial. Such therapy is productive more as an auxiliary than as a primary treatment.
2. Treatment with nicotinic receptor agonist substances. Active ingredients in medicines - alkaloids with an effect similar to nicotine. These are: cytisine, anabasine, lobeline, pilocarpine. Drugs in this group: Tabex, Champex, Lobelin, Cytisine. They are produced in different forms– tablets, drops, chewing gum and in the form of biosoluble film. These remedies are very effective, but they should only be used under the supervision of a physician, as there are contraindications.
3. Complex treatment. In this case, the use of tranquilizers such as Wellbutrin and Zyban is added to the above methods. The inclusion of these drugs in the process significantly increases resistance to nicotine addiction and improves the percentage of those cured. Such medications are used only under medical supervision; self-medication can be dangerous.
4. There is a separate group of drugs aimed at rejecting nicotine by the body. This is a solution of silver nitrate or copper sulfate, emetine, tannin. These medications cause discomfort in the patient when smoking, but they are inconvenient to use and ineffective against nicotine withdrawal.

To facilitate negative manifestations, many former smokers use nicotine replacement therapy

Managing smoking withdrawal symptoms at home

You won’t be able to treat nicotine withdrawal at home - for this you need qualified assistance a specialist who prescribes procedures and medications.

But you shouldn’t rely only on someone, because everyone can help themselves fight a bad habit and mild symptoms JUICE :

• The craving for smoking can be reduced by slowly drinking a glass of water or doing simple exercise.
• To combat appetite and overweight try not to buy sweets and eat vegetables. Nuts and raisins are not suitable for snacking, as they are very high in calories. It is also important to eat with pleasure, tasty and healthy.
• Constant fatigue will leave you after a walk in the fresh air - on foot, on roller skates, on a bicycle.
• A warm bath with relaxing aromatic salts and airing the room will help you overcome insomnia.
• To reduce anxiety and irritability, you should give up coffee. Fill your life with colors - find a new hobby, take up dancing. Distract yourself with something interesting every time you want to smoke.

Smoking is not only great harm human health, but also a problem for society as a whole. In modern society, quitting this bad habit is a necessity for anyone who wants to be healthy and successful. And it’s not as difficult as it seems - first you just need to want and set a goal to quit smoking.

Experienced smokers, when quitting smoking, experience a withdrawal syndrome that is reminiscent of a drug addict's withdrawal symptoms when they do not receive the next drug dose.

Nicotine withdrawal syndrome is a failure of some organic systems, provoked by the absence (reduction) of a dose psychoactive substances, which with constant intake become addictive. In most cases, withdrawal syndrome manifests itself in the nervous system, but the functions of the urinary and digestive organs.

After quitting smoking, health problems depend on the person’s individual reaction, smoking history, and history of chronic diseases.

The essence of withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking

After quitting smoking, experienced smokers - and sometimes even those who have been smoking for 2-3 years - in most cases develop health problems. Tobacco causes the same psychological and physiological addiction as alcohol and drugs.

In the first days "healthy lifestyle" a strong painful desire to smoke appears, and due to the inability to do this, the following arise: irritability, anxiety, headache, inability to concentrate, insomnia, dizziness, unpleasant taste in the mouth, convulsions...

This is due to the fact that tobacco alkaloids - in particular nicotine - entering the bloodstream stimulated the production of dopamine, the pleasure hormone. A reflex developed: if you lit a cigarette, you enjoyed it. Formed psychological dependence, and the nervous system reacts quite negatively to the cessation of constant stimulation of the pleasure center in the brain.

Nicotine affects not only the central nervous system, but also peripherally, participates in all processes that occur in the body. Get excited endocrine glands– including the pituitary gland, accelerate metabolic processes, the secretory functions of the digestive organs change, blood vessels dilate.

Symptoms of quitting smoking

Physiological manifestations after quitting smoking can be quite serious:

• hand trembling;
• convulsions;
• blood pressure surges;
• the appearance of shortness of breath;
• indigestion.

Withdrawal syndrome can be quite severe - everyone can fail organic systems simultaneously. The body experiences stress, which causes quite serious painful symptoms - in the first days, the immune status of a person who quits smoking is significantly reduced.

At this stage, there is an increased susceptibility to pathogenic flora of all types - ulcers appear in the mouth, you can get ARVI, which will give complications to respiratory organs. Constantly occur: nasal congestion, cough.

It would seem that it should be the other way around. Stress on respiratory system decreases, and during the adaptation period there should be a sharp improvement - the smoker’s cough and shortness of breath should disappear, but the opposite happens. Why?

The side effects of smoking are persistent spasm of blood vessels and bronchioles, the body defends itself, tries to protect itself from damage. When you give up a bad habit, the body relaxes, the spasm is relieved, and “ full breasts“We’re not used to breathing – our immunity has temporarily decreased. Until the secretory function stabilizes, diseases will follow one after another.

On the part of the digestive organs, when quitting smoking, symptoms also appear. side effects. In smokers, acetylcholine receptors responsible for intestinal motility gradually lose their sensitivity. Now contractions of smooth muscles also become dependent on the supply of nicotine. In its absence, intestinal tone decreases, and disorders begin - severe constipation or diarrhea.

It is interesting that weight gain by former smokers after quitting a bad habit is caused not so much by the restoration of the secretory function of the stomach and pancreas and taste buds - a considerable amount of time must pass before they stabilize - but by depression.

Depression is caused by the lack of pleasant moments associated with smoking and constant physical discomfort and malaise. In order to somehow alleviate their condition, to get short-term pleasure, they begin Bad mood"seize" The reflex arises again: something tasty - the production of dopamine. A smoker replaces one addiction with another. While withdrawal symptoms last, you can improve significantly.

Is it possible to quit smoking without stressing the body or at least speed up the adaptation period?

How to ease the consequences of quitting smoking?

You can get up on Monday, throw a pack of cigarettes in the trash and vow to yourself to “never touch” tobacco. This may well be possible for those who are strong in spirit and have excellent health - it has not yet been destroyed by a long-term addiction to smoking. However, even for these people, quitting smoking will cause consequences - physical and psychological discomfort.

How smoking withdrawal syndrome will manifest itself and how long it will last largely depends on the person himself. To reduce symptoms in those who quit smoking, you should tune in psychologically.

If you have a history of chronic diseases - especially at the acute stage - then when quitting smoking it is advisable to be under medical supervision. Most needed health care suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

In this case, it is not recommended to suddenly quit smoking. It is necessary to first gradually reduce the dose, then use aids to help the body adapt to a new state - nicotine patches, special chewing gum and the like. Transfusion therapy may be required - a similar method of cleansing the body is used to relieve alcohol intoxication.

Currently, a method of using nicotinic receptor antagonists has emerged. These measures help restore organic functions and eliminate withdrawal symptoms in just a few days. You still have to get rid of psychological addiction on your own.

To improve the condition, the following measures are being taken:

1. introduce medications To relieve withdrawal symptoms, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and sedatives are prescribed.
2. To eliminate the symptoms of psychological dependence, they conduct psychotherapeutic sessions, gather groups of patients with similar problems, and offer alternative activities to help distract from their own experiences.
3. during the adaptation period it is necessary great attention devote good nutrition– balance the diet, make sure it contains foods high in useful substances that do not overload the body. The calorie content of the daily menu should be reduced.

If unpleasant symptoms appear when quitting smoking, the deterioration in health is so pronounced that you need to contact official medicine, then we can conclude that withdrawal syndrome appears. In this case, cope with the transition to healthy image life is impossible.

Collaboration ex-smoker, surrounding people and – perhaps – doctors should be aimed at creating conditions under which conditions are created for quick cleansing the body from toxins, eliminating withdrawal symptoms and restoring psychological comfort. The greater the patient’s desire to get rid of nicotine addiction, the faster the adaptation period will end.

Men with nicotine addiction experience severe discomfort when quitting smoking, this is due to the cancellation of nicotine stimulation of the body. Withdrawal syndrome is the body’s reaction to interruption of the usual doses of nicotine, which manifests itself in a deterioration in the psychophysiological state of the body.

Withdrawal symptoms

When you stop smoking with a pronounced nicotine addiction and complete or partial cessation of nicotine intake in the body, withdrawal syndrome may occur, which is manifested by a number of characteristic symptoms:

Sense of anxiety.
Irritability.
Poor concentration.
Sleep disturbance.
Pressure changes.
Headache.
Cough and difficulty breathing.
Increased feeling of hunger.

The period of adaptation of the body to life without nicotine lasts from seven to thirty days.

Predetermining factors are smoking history and the number of cigarettes smoked. The higher these indicators, the longer the withdrawal syndrome lasts. The psychological factor is important; if a man has a strong attitude and strong motivation, then the manifestations and duration are short. Therefore, it is important for men to decide to quit smoking of their own free will and to be confident in their abilities.

Main problems and solutions

During the period the body received nicotine, significant changes occurred in the functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous, digestive and respiratory systems.

Having analyzed the possible psychophysiological changes that occur in the body when quitting smoking, when the body learns to work without stimulation by nicotine, you can choose ways to alleviate the condition.

The cardiovascular system

Nicotine increased the heart rate and constricted blood vessels, so in the first days of the body’s restructuring, a man experienced poor circulation. This leads to headaches, dizziness and changes in blood pressure.

What should be done:
Full sleep at least eight hours.
Taking vitamin C and Omega 3 helps cleanse blood vessels and restore elasticity. Take 1 tablespoon of flaxseed or olive oil in a day.
Calm walks.
Positive emotions.
Doing what you love.
If a man has problems with blood pressure, regular blood pressure monitoring is necessary.

In case of increasing and persistent headaches for more than three days, you should consult a doctor.

Try not to take energy drinks during this period, as sharp drop vascular tone aggravates headache, and provokes a stroke.

Digestive system and metabolism

During smoking, the gastrointestinal tract has become accustomed to additional nicotine stimulation. Without intake, it reduces its effectiveness and metabolic processes slow down. Most often, this provokes the development of constipation and weight gain.

What should be done:
Stimulate the intestines with fiber-rich foods.
Restore intestinal microflora. You can use fermented milk products.
Control your diet. It is necessary to limit carbohydrates and fats. The problem will be replacing cigarettes with nuts, seeds or candies. For these purposes it is better to use chewing gum or vegetable chips without spices.
Increase physical activity(In the first month, it is not recommended to use strength sports and intense exercise).

Respiratory system

In the case of existing chronic respiratory diseases, quitting smoking may initially contribute to the exacerbation of the disease. Due to increased sputum production in smokers, when smoking stops, stimulation of the bronchi stops, and an increased cough appears with difficulty coughing up sputum. In the first days there is a dry cough, which is replaced by a wet cough with the discharge of viscous sputum. In this way, the body is cleansed.

What should be done:
Stimulate the functioning of the bronchi. For this you can use breathing exercises and lead active image life.
Take medications to clear sputum (Fluimucil, Bronchogen, Gedelix syrup)
Use expectorants folk remedies(ground with lemon in equal parts, honey with warm milk and linden tea).

Nervous system

The body lacks nicotine; it has ceased to be produced in the body and is not supplied through smoking. This system has a high compensatory property; restoration processes occur in the body immediately after quitting cigarettes. Already on the fourth day, the production of natural nicotine, necessary for the functioning of the body, is resumed. But the formed psychological dependence on cigarettes provokes aggressive behavior, irritability and anxiety. It takes time to rebuild the body and a lot depends on the psychological mood.

What should be done:
Take B vitamins.
Be busy with work that requires concentration.
Change your usual environment (business trip, vacation, excursions). This helps break down established connections and replace them with new ones.
Repeat the motivation that prompted you to quit smoking.
Use medications to alleviate the condition.

Drugs to relieve withdrawal symptoms

In cases high degree nicotine addiction, it is recommended to use medicines helping to cope with nicotine addiction and greatly alleviate the man’s condition. All drugs can be divided into groups:

1. Nicotine replacement drugs. Tablets based on nicotine or cytisine (Tabex, Nicorette). They act on the body's receptors like nicotine, only without harmful action smoke, therefore it is necessary to use these drugs by constantly reducing the dosage, preparing the body for complete refusal from nicotine.

2. Receptor blocking drugs. Pills disgusting to cigarettes (Champix, Corrida Plus). With their help, the mechanism for obtaining pleasure from smoking is blocked and a reflexive refusal is formed.

3. Antidepressants. Medicines that help reduce stress and smoking cravings (Zyban).

4. Homeopathic remedies (Tabacum, Antitab, Ceres). They have a calming effect and reduce the craving for cigarettes.

According to medical observations, in case of nicotine addiction, you should not neglect the use of drugs that make you feel better.

Most men, when giving up cigarettes, experience withdrawal symptoms and return to smoking, so it is important for each man to choose individual methods that will help cope with a difficult period.