Newbies,
Here’s a list of the most common withdrawal symptoms. Get familiar with this list and come up with ways to cope:
Headaches
About one quarter of quitters report a mild headache at some time during the process of quitting. A headache may last a day, go away, and return a week later.
How long will this last? These headaches may occur during the first week to two weeks after quitting.
Tips to help: Take a warm bath or shower. Cut down on caffeine and colas. Try relaxation or meditation techniques.
Constipation
The movement of your bowels may decrease for three or four days when you reduce your tobacco consumption.
How long will this last? May occur in the first few weeks after quitting and last three to four days.
Tips to help: Eat lots of fiber, like raw fruits, vegetables, bran and cereal. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day and try to exercise regularly.
Coughing
If you were a smoker, the cilia (the little “hairs” in your lungs) come back to life after you quit and begin to rebuild. They start to clean the bronchial tubes and remove the mucous, often resulting in occasional coughs. This cleaning improves your breathing and helps get rid of your smoker’s cough. It’s great news because it means your lungs are healing!
If you are quitting chewing tobacco and you find yourself coughing, it may be due to the fact that you may have decreased lubrication of your throat (some chewers drink water or fruit juice as they chew), so your throat may be dry. However, we suggest that if your coughing persists you immediately visit your doctor as tobacco use can “mask” other conditions that may be affecting you.
How long will this last? The first few weeks after quitting.
Tips to help: Try drinking cold water, hot tea, fruit juice, chew sugar-free gum, cough drops or sugar-free candy.
Members, Please share your tips for these withdrawal symptoms?
Samantha, Bilingual Health Educator
