Side Effects of Quitting Smoking Cold Turkey

Cigarettes have several harmful chemicals which can have short-term as well as long-term effects on our health. According to statistics, there are over a billion smokers worldwide and they are at risk of heart attack and other smoking related diseases like lung cancer. You don't have to be a doctor to know that smoking is bad and you need to quit if you want to lead a healthy lifestyle. One of the best ways to quit smoking is cold turkey, in which you suddenly stop smoking instead of gradually quitting your habit. Lot of people believe that 'cold turkey' is the best way to quit, because if you have one cigarette, then there is no stopping you from having another one.

There are certain side effects of quitting smoking abruptly, and these range from mild discomfort to diarrhea and depression. However, none of these symptoms are long-lasting, you will get over most of them in a week's time. If you are mentally prepared to give up smoking, be ready for some temporary physical discomfort. Here are some of the symptoms of quitting smoking cold turkey.

Irritation
Certain chemicals in cigarettes trigger neurotransmitters in the brain stimulating them and leading a smoker to experience a pseudo feeling of euphoria. When you stop smoking the stimulation stops and a person feels irritation. This can lead to lack of concentration and a feeling of something being amiss.

Insomnia
One of the first things that will happen due to cessation of smoking is insomnia, a person will feel drowsy throughout the day and won't feel sleepy in the night. When we smoke it causes certain chemical changes in the brain and when we stop smoking it takes time for the brain to readjust. So the brain goes in to overdrive and we experience lack of sleep, which is a classic nicotine withdrawal symptom.

Diarrhea
There are certain chemicals in cigarette smoke which have an effect on the digestive system and when we stop smoking it affects the digestive system and we may experience diarrhea. It can last for a couple of days or may extend to a week. Taking over the counter diarrhea medication will help control the situation.

Constipation
People who quit smoking cold turkey may also experience constipation. Although there is no laxative in cigarette smoke it does have a psychological effect on the persons daily routine. Constipation may last for a couple of days and if it persists, use laxatives for relief.

Cold and Flu
One of the most common quit smoking side effects is the onset of flu or cold. This is because the body is readjusting to life without smoke and causes the immunity to drop. Mild flu-like symptoms will persist for a few days and you may also experience cold sweats. Those who quit cold turkey are also susceptible to cold which can be taken care of with readily available pills.

Depression
One of the dangers of quitting smoking cold turkey is depression which can in some cases last for a couple of weeks. There are many memories and habits associated with smoking, for example, some people start their day with a cup of coffee and a cigarette. When they quit the mind knows that it will not experience the same joy again and this can lead to depression.

Some of the other side effects of quitting smoking abruptly are acid reflux, body ache, dizziness and irritation in the throat. One of the quit smoking cold turkey tips is to keep your body hydrated, so that you can cleanse your body of the toxins quickly. A strong resolve and support from friends and family is important, so enlist the help of others in your endeavor to quit smoking.