Here at Matthews Internal Medicine, our focus is on preventative medicine. We want to help you live a healthier lifestyle and avoid bad habits that could result in you developing deadly or debilitating diseases later.
One of the best decisions that you can make for your health is the decision to quit smoking. Smoking cigarettes can make you more likely to develop heart disease, some types of cancer, and a host of other health problems. There are some unfortunate symptoms of nicotine withdrawal that can last days, weeks, or even months. We think that coping with the symptoms is worth it, and that our smoking cessation experts can help.
Symptoms of Nicotine Withdrawal
Intense Nicotine Cravings
This is one of the obvious ones and the primary issue that causes a lot of your other symptoms. Your body becomes used to getting nicotine on a daily basis, and suddenly you’ve taken that away. So you’re going to experience a big craving for nicotine often, especially in the first few days.
Weight Gain
Smoking can act as an appetite suppressant, so you might notice some weight gain when you first quit this terrible habit. Keep an eye on what you eat and don’t use snacking as a coping mechanism. If you’re mindful, this symptom can be managed.
Mental Health Issues
Taking away your daily fix of nicotine can have a few different effects on your brain. It could trigger feelings of anxiety, irritability, and depression. If you have prior issues with depression, let your doctor know before you’ve started a smoking cessation program.
Difficulty Concentrating
As you withdraw from nicotine you may notice that you have some trouble concentrating, especially in the first few days. Just push through and remember that you’re taking these steps for your health.
How to Cope
Dealing with these symptoms and living a cigarette-free lifestyle is well worth it. One of the best ways to handle these symptoms is by having medical professionals like us in your corner. Quitting on your own and coping with these varied issues can be difficult.
We can tackle problems like weight gain by working with you on your diet. We can spot some bad habits of yours before you quit smoking, making it easier to avoid this issue later. If you’ve had mental health issues in the past, we can give you the support you if you’ve previously dealt with anxiety and depression and need help coping with them when you’re quitting.
Another way of coping is by joining a support group. Seeing other people who are going through what you’re going through can help you realize that your symptoms are just temporary. It can also remind you that your goals involve your long-term health and that this effort is well worth it.
You can also opt for over-the-counter treatment options that can help you wean yourself off of nicotine. Gum, patches, and lozenges can all help you replace the nicotine fix you would normally get from cigarettes. Quitting cold turkey can be hard for most smokers, but no matter which methods you choose we can help you.