Feeling Sick after Quitting Cigarettes - Is This Treatable

If you have recently quit cigarettes or are thinking about quitting, you may be concerned about feeling sick and other bad withdrawal symptoms. You're not alone. Nausea is one of the most common side effects of nicotine withdrawal. It can occur days after you quit, or one night after your last cigarette. And the period for which it lasts can vary from minute to weeks.

What makes us feel sick after quitting?

A variety of factors come together to create that nauseating feeling in our stomach when we haven't had our 'nicotine fix'. First, nicotine is a powerful stimulant. This causes our nervous system, stomach, and intestines to overreact. Eventually, our body learns to compensate. When the nicotine is gone, our hormones and body chemicals fluctuate, with the ensuing chaos causing feelings of nausea.

Another factor in nausea from nicotine withdrawal is our blood sugar. When we smoke, our bodies adjust to the constant glucose spikes brought on by the chemical reactions of nicotine in our bloodstream. After we quit, symptoms of low blood sugar may be present while we readjust. This can include nausea as well as headaches.

Additionally, nicotine can cause or contribute to these further digestive issues:
  • Leaky Gut Syndrome
  • Heartburn
  • Ulcers
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The exact experience varies significantly from person to person. In worst case scenarios, a few people have reported symptoms lasting for weeks, with a resurgence every morning. Usually, however, they disappear after a week or so, when our body readjusts

Relief from Nicotine Induced Nausea

You currently have several options for reducing nausea from nicotine withdrawal. The most common are prescription medications. While these can sometimes be effective, they often induce many side effects themselves including dizziness and nausea (go figure).

Some of us find a few simple diet modifications are enough. Drinking green tea with honey and eating a light, healthy, easily digested meal may be enough to cure mild nausea right after quitting.

Becoming increasingly available are a new generation of quit smoking cessation programs. These systems are taking into account both the psychological dependence as well as the physical nicotine addiction. By addressing the problem holistically, a multitude of withdrawal symptoms which often co-exist can be eliminated. This includes nausea, anxiety, depression, cravings, and more.

Discover how to stop smoking fast without feeling sick immediately at SmokingRevealed.com.

By George Wischler
Published: 9/18/2008
 
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Your Comments:
Your Name:
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
Recipient Email Address:
 Separate multiple email addresses by ;
Your Name:
Your Email Address: