Quitting Smoking Side Effects – The Ugly Side of Quitting
When you make the decision to stop smoking, you should know that there can be a few negative quitting smoking side effects. These unpleasant side effects are usually short term, but they can be pretty intense, and you need to have a plan to deal with them so that you don’t pick up the smoking habit again.
Some people notice that they have a tendency to feel lightheaded when they stop smoking, especially when they change positions. If this happens, it will only last for a day or two.
After a couple of days, the dizziness will usually subside, and you’ll be able to go about your business without feeling lightheaded. In the meantime, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and change positions slowly. It may also help to wear support stockings.
Headaches are another common problem. If you experience this and aren’t using nicotine replacement, you may want to give that a try to see if it helps.
You may also feel fatigued as the nicotine effect wears off. Exercising, eating a healthy diet and staying away from junk food would help avoid this feeling of low energy.
You may have some difficulty sleeping as well. Exercising earlier in the day will help (don’t exercise just before going to bed – that increases your energy levels and will make it harder to fall asleep). You could also use a herbal sleep aid such as chamomile tea or valerian.
Another side effect of quitting smoking is an increased appetite. And you’ll notice that food taste better. Usually, if you are eating healthy snacks in between meals, you can curb your appetite without putting on extra weight. It’s important to avoid sugary foods, highly refined foods like white bread, snack foods and junk foods while you are quitting smoking. Not only will eating these make you more likely to gain weight, but they may actually increase your craving for cigarettes. Stick with a healthy diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.
Mood swings, especially irritability and depression are some of the more disturbing quitting smoking side effects. For some people symptoms may be bad enough to warn being on antidepressants for a few months. If you’re concerned about this, it’s something that you should talk over with your doctor.
By listing these negatives side effects I by no means want to discourage you from quitting smoking. Giving up cigarettes and all forms of tobacco is one the best things you can do for yourself. The benefits greatly outweigh the short-term problems.
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December 6, 2009 at 4:23 am
