Is pain in the lungs from smoking a common occurrence or a reason to see a doctor? Withdrawal syndrome in quitters (nicotine withdrawal)

Not all smokers are able to easily and without problems part with their bad habit. Nicotine stimulates metabolic processes and work nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Therefore, when quitting tobacco, the body, which has become unaccustomed to independent effective activity, hardly adapts to the usual mode of operation and experiences serious discomfort. In everyday life, this is called “breaking”, and experts call it a withdrawal syndrome. How can you get through this easier? unpleasant period and not smoke again?

What is withdrawal syndrome?

« withdrawal syndrome- the result of what long years smoking, nicotine becomes a natural stimulant of many processes in the human body,” says Deputy Chief Physician of the 83rd clinical hospital FMBA of Russia, pulmonologist Alexander Averyanov - that is, he is fully involved in the metabolism and becomes an integral part of it.

Therefore, the symptoms experienced by a person who has given up smoking are more likely to resemble physical ailment. What are the main problems and how to deal with them?

Heart and blood vessels

Nicotine speeds up the heart rate and constricts blood vessels. As a result, an increase arterial pressure and it gives the impression of improved blood flow due to vasospasm.

Therefore, a person who has stopped smoking for some time has symptoms of poor circulation: weakness, headaches, dizziness, loss of working capacity.

How to cope?
To cope with this condition, products containing caffeine, which also increase pressure, allow. However, it is important not to overdo it with caffeine, because it acts in almost the same way as nicotine - constricts blood vessels and stimulates the heart. So some coffee up to two cups a day- can be afforded as a therapeutic agent.

Metabolism

Nicotine stimulates metabolic processes. “Why does weight gain begin after quitting smoking? Averyanov asks. - Nicotine as a stimulant metabolic processes, the body is now lacking.

A person who quit smoking often starts to eat a lot, eating discomfort from nicotine withdrawal. In part, this helps to cope with the desire to smoke, but since the metabolism is already slow, weight gain is very fast.

How to cope?
A person who quits smoking should carefully control his diet - give up for a while fast carbohydrates, fatty foods, alcoholic beverages and spicy dishes that stimulate the appetite.

Avoid Appearance extra pounds will help increase in physical activity. Movement, by the way, is a good way to distract from intrusive thoughts about a cigarette.

Gastrointestinal tract

Nicotine activates the activity of the intestines. During the smoking experience, the intestine gets used to additional chemical stimulation and ceases to function effectively. After nicotine is no longer regularly supplied to the body, constipation may develop for several weeks or even months. Especially if there is a tendency to it.

How to cope?
Eat more foods rich in fiber that stimulates the intestines, such as foods from whole grain. Include sour-milk products and dried fruits in your diet, which, by the way, can seize the desire to smoke. Be sure to consult your doctor if bowel problems persist for a long time.

Respiratory system

“If, due to smoking, respiratory diseases have already appeared - bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), - says Averyanov, - breaking up with addiction can provoke a worsening of their condition.”

Tobacco smoke increases the excretion of sputum from the lungs through the bronchi. A smoker produces much more sputum due to irritation. respiratory tract smoke - that is why the first cigarette provokes active coughing. When smoking stops, the stimulation of the bronchial tubes also ends. Therefore, a person difficult to cough up mucus, which continues to form with bronchitis or COPD.

How to cope?
Stock up on patience. Depending on the individual reactions The period may take up to several months. During it stands move a lot and actively to deepen the breath and encourage natural bronchial cleansing.

If the discomfort persists, consult a pulmonologist. The specialist may prescribe special preparations, which cleanse the bronchi and lungs - this way you make the process easier for yourself.

Conclusion: when quitting smoking, unpleasant symptoms from a variety of body systems may appear, but they can be dealt with quite easily. And the benefits of quitting smoking - reducing the risk of serious illness and improving well-being - far outweigh the temporary inconvenience.

The smoker can call 8-800-200-0-200 (the call is free for residents of Russia), tell him that he needs help with quitting smoking, and he will be transferred to the specialists of the Tobacco Cessation Advice Call Center (CTC). If all CTC specialists are busy at this moment, his phone number will be sent to CTC by e-mail, and within 1-3 days they will call him back.

Psychologists and doctors provide counseling to those who apply to the CTC. Psychologists help prepare for the day of quitting smoking, help find a replacement for smoking rituals, together with the person who applied, they will determine the best ways to overcome addiction, and support in difficult moments of the fight against nicotine addiction. Doctors will advise on the most effective healing methods smoking cessation, give advice to patients with various diseases about how best to prepare for quitting smoking, taking into account existing health problems.

Cramps - involuntary muscle contraction that occurs against the background of a general overstrain of the body, alcohol abuse. They are short-lived, accompanied by strong painful sensations. Cramps can cover one or a group of muscles. The neck, abdomen, hips and back are most susceptible to paroxysmal contractions.

Depending on the degree of manifestation, convulsions are weak or severe. At mild form there is a sharp twitching, tingling in any part of the body. If short-term fainting, urinary incontinence, feces are added to the previous signs, this indicates middle degree gravity. most dangerous form seizures are considered epileptic seizure, accompanied by an inexplicable feeling of fear, increased salivation, numbness, nausea, vomiting, foaming from the mouth.

What is the danger of involuntary muscle contraction? What to do if convulsions increase after drinking alcohol? Let's consider in more detail.

Causes and consequences

Alcohol abuse is accompanied by a pronounced muscle contraction, which is a sudden neurological attack. Seizures occur as a result of changes in the brain, resemble an epileptic seizure, and are characterized by an acute course.

First, the alcoholic begins to fall into a semi-conscious state, as evidenced by the pale shade of the face. Then a feeling arises in the tissues and joints severe burning sensation, unbearable pain is felt, legs and arms go numb. The whole body and limbs of a person begin to shudder under the influence of involuntary relaxation, and subsequently contractions. AT given state the alcoholic experiences goosebumps, it seems to him that a lot of needles have stuck into the body. Sometimes there are temperature drops in the hands and feet. Muscle spasms may be accompanied by twisting of the limbs, which the person is unable to control due to constricting pain. During convulsions of a tonic nature, the alcohol addict does not lose touch with reality, is in full consciousness.

Attacks of involuntary muscle contraction are prone to repetition and can turn into chronic form. The first case is never the last, since the pathology was formed gradually as a result of negative impact the breakdown products of alcohol into brain cells. Thus, sooner or later it will again make itself felt.

Causes of alcohol cramps:

1. Lack of magnesium and potassium salts. The abuse of alcoholic beverages greatly dehydrates the body, since alcohol has a pronounced diuretic effect. With urine, useful salts, mineral compounds and vitamins are washed out of the body, the deficiency of which provokes muscle spasms.
2. Damage to the nervous system. Often hangover syndrome leads to mental disorders due to lack of nutrients and toxic interaction of ethyl metabolites. Under the influence of alcoholic beverages, the cells of the spinal cord and brain begin to gradually die off, which disrupts nerve impulse conduction. This leads to the appearance of limb tremors, motor discoordination, uneven and involuntary muscle contractions, and convulsions.
3. Depressive disorders, traumatic brain injury.
4. sharp narrowing small vessels and expansion of large. The result of this reaction is a failure in blood circulation, especially the lower limbs suffer. Blood begins to stagnate, which leads to malnutrition, inflammation of blood vessels.

Each muscle spasm poses a danger to the health and life of the patient, since during an attack an alcoholic can choke on vomit, be injured by moving mechanisms in the workplace, or get hurt when falling. Sometimes convulsions are attributed to a hangover, but after each subsequent attack, the situation will worsen. For example, if an alcohol addict initially experienced leg cramps after drinking alcoholic beverages, then over time, involuntary muscle contractions will begin to affect the entire body. At the same time, the duration of their manifestation from time to time will only increase until they are transformed into. If you do not give up alcohol, brain cells will continue to break down, and negative processes in them will intensify. As a result, irreversible disturbances in thought processes will occur, a person will experience personal degradation.

Remember, frequent seizures lead not only to damage, but also to the death of some parts of the brain.

The drug "Alcobarrier"

Alcoholic epilepsy is deadly dangerous state, in which muscle spasms can occur constantly, interrupted for a couple of minutes. This can lead to respiratory or cardiac arrest, a person falling into a coma, brain edema.

First aid

With minor cramps with a hangover, a person can help himself on his own. At the initial stage of alcohol addiction, the patient still controls himself, controls his actions, and performs deliberate actions.

What to do in this case?

1. Take a sitting or lying position of the body, while the legs should be located above the level of the head.
2. Massage the involuntarily contracting muscles to normalize blood flow in the tissues and relax them.

In case of hyperedema of the extremities, anti-varicose veins should be worn. compression underwear. This will narrow the veins, restore blood circulation, ease the work of the valves, and remove the physiological root cause of seizures.

1. Take a warm bath with essential oils chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort or sea ​​salt. This procedure has a good relaxing effect, helps to relieve muscle clamps, restores blood circulation.

If alcoholic convulsions appear very often and their intensity only increases, it is recommended to consult a doctor to minimize the risk of alcoholic epilepsy. It should not be brought to a critical state, wait until a person loses consciousness. However, if this has already happened, it is necessary to lay the victim in such a way that the head is tilted to the side, in order to prevent the tongue from sinking, insert a spoon into the interdental space.

Alcoholic epilepsy: symptoms, treatment

The disease occurs against the background of the systematic abuse of alcohol, its surrogates, denatured alcohol. Most often, the patient is concerned about convulsions, which intensify after taking another dose of alcohol. Initially, epileptic psychoses are rare, but worsen as the disease progresses. As a result, seizures happen without drinking alcohol.

Alcoholic epilepsy destroys the nervous system. If the seizure has already happened once, it will definitely happen again. The danger of this pathology is that it gradually flows into a chronic form and only worsens with time.

The main symptoms of the disease include: speech, sleep, behavioral disorders, personality disorders (viscosity, resentment, anger, pickiness).

When an epileptic seizure occurs, the patient turns pale skin, there is spasm chest, body aches, lips turn blue, breathing becomes hoarse, a loud cry is possible. During a seizure, the patient's head may lean back, which is dangerous by throwing back the tongue, suffocation.

Upon completion, the alcoholic experiences very realistic hallucinations with a great emotional load, insomnia, headache, irritability, weakness, weakness are characteristic.

Treatment for alcoholic epilepsy is complete failure from alcohol, taking anticonvulsants, providing psychological help. If you ignore the symptoms, the consequences of the pathology will be devastating to the internal organs and systems of the patient, which will ultimately lead to death.

After the first signs of an upcoming seizure appear, the victim should not be allowed to fall, otherwise he may be injured. It is important to control yourself, help the patient to sit down, do not restrain convulsive movements by force, remove the belt, unfasten the buttons on the clothes.

For quick and reliable getting rid of alcoholism, our readers advise the drug "Alcobarrier". it natural remedy, which blocks the craving for alcohol, causing a persistent aversion to alcohol. In addition, Alcobarrier launches regenerative processes in organs that alcohol has begun to destroy. The tool has no contraindications, the effectiveness and safety of the drug is proven clinical research at the Research Institute of Narcology.

The insidiousness of alcoholic epilepsy is that it can be inherited. According to statistics, if one of the parents suffered from this disease the probability of developing pathology in a child increases by 6%.

Interestingly, convulsions from alcohol can occur 1-2 days after drinking strong drinks. At the same time, at the end of them, it often happens, accompanied by persistent aggression, seizures, uncoordinated motor function, violation of facial and speech abilities.

Conclusion

The abuse of alcoholic beverages has not yet added health to anyone. When poisoned with ethyl, the body experiences increased load, begins to function in an unusual mode, which leads to premature wear of internal organs and systems. As a result, the psyche of an alcoholic is disturbed, the body cramps, limbs go numb, there is a feeling of constriction, muscle aches, dizziness, nausea, pain in epigastric region up to loss of consciousness. The longer the experience of the drinker, the more intense the consequences of addiction. Against the background of the body, often the muscles begin to contract involuntarily, epilepsy occurs.

In order to avoid deterioration of the state of health, it is recommended to strictly control the dose of drinking alcoholic beverages.

Vegetovascular dystonia is an outdated and controversial diagnosis, but in last years occurs more and more frequently.

In 35-45% of patients seeking medical help, VVD is diagnosed.

Most patients are heavy smokers who prefer to hide this fact from the doctor.

There is a functional disorder on the part of the digestive organs: constipation, alternating liquid stool, increased production of bile secretion, epigastric and hepatic pain. There may be a violation of urination, which is often confused with signs of cystitis.

Reasons for the development of VVD

There are many reasons that serve the development of VSD. Most often, pathology develops in the course of diseases of the nervous system, after frequent catarrhal pathologies and infectious. During the period of illness, immunity forms a stable defense against bacteria and viruses.

After completing a course of therapy and destruction of pathogenic microflora autonomic system erroneously reacts to overwork after treatment, provoking VVD symptoms.

provoking factors in development of VVD may become frequent stay in stressful conditions and improper diet.

Lack of adequate physical activity also causes dystonia.

Lost muscle tone, cardiovascular, as a result of the body can not cope with external negative factors which leads to VSD.

Other provoking factors include:

1. psycho-emotional exhaustion, increased mental or physical stress;
2. disruption of work hormonal background(more common in women during menopause or pregnancy);
3. climate change during an abrupt move;
4. the presence of pathologies of the endocrine system;
5. diseases of the musculoskeletal system (osteochondrosis);
6. increased consumption of alcoholic beverages, leading to intoxication of the body.

In many cases, dystonia develops after prolonged smoking or exacerbates an already present VSD.

The effect of smoking on the cardiovascular system

At the time of smoking, inhaled tobacco smoke is instantly spread throughout the body, carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that replaces oxygen. During which all organ tissues are tested acute deficiency oxygen.

By increasing the dose of nicotine and the number of cigarettes smoked, there is an inhibition of both subsystems of the nervous department - sympathetic and parasympathetic.

As soon as nicotine enters the body, the process of damage to the plasma membrane starts, platelet aggregation accelerates, and blood flow through the vessels is disturbed.

Small doses of nicotine reduce the concentration of prostaglandin I2 in the vessels, which is what leads to the acceleration of the development of cardiomyopathies - a whole group of heart diseases.

Speaking of cardiomyopathy, you can name a number of symptoms of heart failure: shortness of breath, fatigue, fainting, swelling of the legs.

More often smoking causes the development of arrhythmias. There are many possible arrhythmias, including relatively benign ones such as atrial fibrillation and life threatening such as ventricular fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias in smokers (a disorder heart rate). It is often asymptomatic and can be diagnosed incidentally during cardiography.

Other signs depend on the heart rate during fibrillation, mainly tachycardia is observed. In other cases, bradyfibrillation is diagnosed, accompanied by insufficient blood supply to the tissues.

Which increases the risk of atherosclerosis. The main consequence is gradual narrowing or sudden complete obstruction blood vessel.

Affected vessels in a certain place begin to narrow, blood flow worsens, many organs are endangered due to lack of oxygen (so-called ischemia).

As a very serious complication, a situation arises when a small rupture of the atherosclerotic narrowing occurs. The wall of a blood vessel is suddenly damaged, followed by the formation of a blood clot (thrombus).

The harmful effects of smoking in VVD

The most negative impact is the cardiovascular system, which means that VSD and smoking are a dangerous combination. What effect does nicotine have on dystonia?

Vasospasm

One cigarette smoked can increase the heart rate, speed up the pulse.

Small vessels, which are elastic tubular formations, undergo spasm, the duration of which is 30-40 minutes.

In a heavy smoker, the vessels are in constant spasm, which disrupts normal blood circulation and nutrition of organ tissues.

All this leads to the development of resistance. AT severe cases The result of nicotine abuse can be myocardial infarction - damage to heart muscle cells due to a sudden lack of oxygen. Without emergency medical care leads to necrosis of myocardial tissue.

angina pectoris

Another common manifestation in long-term smokers. classic symptom this violation- recurring chest pain physical activity(burning, pressure, discomfort).

At the same time, there are no problems during rest or light activity, since the need for myocardial oxygen is provided even with narrowed arteries.

When a certain degree of influence is manifested, the demand for oxygen increases so much that the constricted vessel is unable to perform its function.

Angina pectoris can cause serious heart rhythm disturbances, sometimes with sudden fatal consequences. This means that the treatment of the disease should be started as early as possible, and most importantly, smoking should be completely abandoned.

Conclusion

The number of patients diagnosed with " ischemic disease heart", "angina pectoris", "heart failure", where the root cause is nicotine addiction.

It is a mistake to believe that smoking with VSD and panic attacks allows you to get back to normal. The relief is short-term, and the damage to health is significant.

Those people who smoke 3-5 cigarettes daily, regardless of age category are already potential patients of the cardiology department.

It will not be possible to completely get rid of the negative effect of nicotine on blood vessels.

But the faster a person “tied up” with such an addiction, the more he minimizes the risk of developing serious pathologies hearts.

Video: Vegetative-vascular dystonia (VVD), heart, cardiac neurosis, hypertensive crisis and panic attacks

An elegant man is walking down the street and suddenly stops. On the face is a mask of suffering. A few minutes later, as if nothing had happened, he continues on his way. What's the matter? In severe pain in the legs.

The pain is especially sharp when climbing up, for example, up the stairs. It makes you stop or slow down. After 2-4 minutes, the pain disappears. But it is worth setting off again, as she returns. And so it is repeated again and again: walking - pain - rest, walking - pain - rest. This is intermittent claudication - a symptom, alas, familiar to many firsthand.

Her reason is insufficient blood supply muscles lower extremities occurring under load. At this time, the muscles require much more oxygen, but the arteries of the legs cannot cope with their work. Oxygen is not supplied in the proper volume, and the muscles signal this with pain.

Intermittent claudication is a symptom of "related" diseases: obliterating endarteritis and obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. In both cases, the arteries of the legs are affected. But the reasons leading to this are different.

At obliterating endarteritis vasospasm occurs. Prolonged spasm leads to change inner wall artery, its coarsening, thickening. As a result, limb tissue suffers. Endarteritis is typical for men aged 20-30 years.

The cause of obliterating atherosclerosis is the well-known atherosclerotic plaque: a place of accumulation of cholesterol and other fats. Atherosclerosis is a systemic process that affects the arteries in many organs. In addition to the lower extremities, his “prey” is the brain, heart, kidneys.

Atherosclerotic plaque grows into the lumen of the artery, blood clots form, and the blood supply to the lower extremities deteriorates sharply. Atherosclerosis usually affects large vessels such as the aorta, iliac arteries, the arteries of the thigh and lower leg departing from it. The higher the pain is felt, the closer the affected artery is to the heart, the more severe the disease. Atherosclerosis has its own "contingent" - men over 40. The vast majority of them are smokers.

Since the blood supply to the tissues decreases, the cells left without oxygen die, die - gangrene develops. And then amputation is inevitable - a finger, a foot, a part of the lower leg, a knee, a thigh ... It's scary. Especially when you consider that young, able-bodied men become disabled.

The necrosis can develop gradually, or it can come on suddenly. A sharp pain in the leg indicates that a disaster has occurred.

What else causes arterial disease?

There are chilliness, tingling, burning in the fingertips. The leg turns pale, becomes cold to the touch. The skin of the feet and legs dries, peels off. Nail growth slows down, hair falls out on the leg. To clarify the cause of the pain, the doctor will prescribe an examination, including rheovasography, thermography, and ultrasound. One of the most informative methods diagnosis of arterial diseases - angiography - X-ray of blood vessels after filling them with a special contrast agent. The information obtained will give the doctor the opportunity to determine the tactics of treatment, and most importantly, to decide whether surgery, shunting the affected arteries and creating a bypass for blood flow.

You can check the condition of the arteries yourself.

Sit with your legs crossed. If in calf muscle pain appears on the top of the leg, and numbness in the fingertips and “goosebumps” crawl, which means that not everything is fine with you.

Raise both legs up - in the one where the arteries are damaged, the sole will turn pale. If the skin on the legs has acquired the color of ivory, pain is felt not only in the lower leg, but also in the hips, buttocks and lower back, along with other troubles, impotence (Lerish's syndrome) threatens you.

How to avoid disease progression?

Usually in such cases, drugs that affect blood clotting are used. However, if you continue to smoke during treatment, do not hesitate - you are wasting your energy and money. Smoking has given impetus to your troubles, and if you do not stop, it will complete the destruction of your blood vessels.

withdrawal syndrome- painful, often disease state, which is a reaction of some body systems (mainly the nervous system) to the absence or decrease in the dose of a drug, alcohol, and other psychoactive substances that can be addictive, regularly introduced into the body. Withdrawal syndrome manifests itself mainly in the presence of a pronounced dependence on a particular substance. When quitting smoking, withdrawal symptoms are called nicotine withdrawal.

From the first days after quitting smoking, the following manifestations of nicotine withdrawal are possible: desire smoking, anxiety, irritability, tension, insomnia, depression, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, headache, convulsions, hand trembling, increased appetite, nausea, weakness, fatigue, constipation, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, bradycardia, shortness of breath, feeling short of breath, sweating, allergic reactions, coughing, mouth ulcers, etc. All these unpleasant effects are caused by the fact that, having lost the usual influx, your organs are trying to restore their normal work. This physical (physiological) recovery in one way or another is reflected in the mental and physical condition a person whose body has stopped receiving nicotine. A person experiences stress, the level of which largely depends on the mood of the person quitting smoking.

Nicotine withdrawal, like alcohol and drugs, is a complex of neuropsychiatric and physical symptoms. The thing is that smoking tobacco is addictive, both psychological and physiological. What is the difference between them, and how do they develop? Let's start with psychological addiction.

When smoking, a person, as a result of exposure to tobacco alkaloids (nicotine), feels a short-term surge of strength and vigor due to stimulation of acetylcholine receptors and the release of adrenaline into the blood. Starting with the first, and with each subsequent smoked cigarette, a clear reflex arc is formed in the smoker's central nervous system, a cigarette in the mouth - inhalation of smoke - pleasure. It should be noted that in an absolutely similar way all encouraging conditioned reflexes. That is, a person does something, then the body encourages him with the release of endorphins, which bring positive emotions. This happens, for example, during physical exertion in athletes. But in the case of smoking, endorphins are forced out, and our brain is deceived. According to the rules laid down in it by nature, the action, confirmed by the release of endorphins, is beneficial for the body, and the memory of it must be preserved by all means. This is how psychological addiction is formed, and it is the most difficult to get rid of it, because only the smoker himself can fight it, and no one can do it for him. Only he himself, with his will and good mood, can break this pathological reflex arc.

Now consider the physiological (physical) component of nicotine addiction. The effects of nicotine are ubiquitous and varied, but they are mainly realized through the effect of nicotine on the central nervous system. Nicotine interferes with many metabolic processes in the body. Almost every cell of the body undergoes this intervention, but physiological dependence develops mainly due to the effect of nicotine on the nervous system, not only on the central, but also on the peripheral. Nicotine becomes a participant in biochemical processes in it. As mentioned above, it excites cholinergic receptors, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is released, which conducts excitation along nerve cells. There is also a release of adrenaline, which, in turn, not only has a powerful versatile effect on the nervous system, but also a stimulating effect on others. endocrine glands and in particular the pituitary gland. There are complex interrelated biochemical processes in the whole body. One thing is clear here - nicotine, like a horseman whipping a horse with a whip, "spurs" all these processes in the body of a smoking person, and the worst thing about this is that with regular smoking, they become as if normal. Over time, the sensitivity of cholinergic (acetylcholine) receptors is dulled and a person, in fact, smokes no longer in order to enjoy smoking, but to feel normal. It becomes uncomfortable without cigarettes.

When quitting smoking, the nervous system and the whole body will have, in its own way, a period of adaptation. The body (primarily the nervous system) needs to learn how to function normally without this stimulant, and this will definitely happen, because all these processes that occur under the influence of nicotine are not natural. In the early days of this "adaptation" a person is stressed and most of the above symptoms are associated with stress, but there are exceptions. For example, one of negative phenomena after quitting smoking, there may be frequent colds respiratory system(ORZ, possible severe infections), namely the appearance of symptoms of bronchitis, laryngitis and rhinitis (cough, runny nose, nasal congestion). AT this case the following happens - with prolonged smoking, nicotine causes a persistent spasm of the bronchioles. Quitting smoking has the opposite effect - there is an expansion of the bronchi, and as a result, the risk of developing them increases. infection. In principle, the expansion of bronchioles during smoking cessation is normal phenomenon, because bronchospasm in smokers is defensive reaction organism - the organism seeks to limit access as much as possible tobacco smoke into the respiratory organs. Well, the penetration of the infection into the dilated bronchi and the possible disease of bronchitis is the result of a malfunction that many smokers have. There is also an opinion of scientists that in a person who quits smoking, immunity is temporarily reduced due to the cessation of the intake of a large amount of toxic substances tobacco smoke - the immune system"relaxes".

In the first days, a cough is possible that is not associated with the penetration of an infection (although its attachment is also possible). This cough occurs as a result of prolonged irritation of the bronchi and lungs by tobacco smoke. There is a kind of cleansing going on. respiratory organs from accumulated mucus and tobacco smoke products. The cough may be severe with sputum discharge. It should be noted that such a cough may also be due to existing chronic diseases respiratory system, which became aggravated when quitting smoking.

There are cases when, after quitting smoking, ulcers appear in the mouth. The reason for their appearance, as well as frequent colds, associated with a decrease in immunity during this period. For years, the mucous membranes of the oral cavity have been irritated by tobacco smoke, and when a person quits smoking, they become very vulnerable to pathogenic microflora, after all:

1. when quitting smoking, general immunity decreases;
2. as a result of prolonged irritant exposure to tobacco smoke, cellular immunity cells of the oral mucosa;
3. with prolonged smoking, the bactericidal properties of saliva decrease;
4. when quitting smoking oral cavity loses its last protection - the bactericidal action of nicotine (and possibly any other components of tobacco smoke).

Obviously, when quitting smoking, it is necessary to protect yourself from colds and pay attention to oral hygiene, and in the event of these unpleasant phenomena, be sure to consult a doctor.

Frequent colds and mouth ulcers are not related to the stress of quitting smoking, and they occur mostly after the most stressful period has already passed. However, most other possible manifestations nicotine withdrawal symptoms that occur in the first days after quitting smoking are directly related to it. That's why, Before you decide to quit smoking, you need to be well prepared. You need to soberly weigh - are you in a good mood, are you ready to maintain peace of mind? In one way or another, stress will certainly arise, but the level of this stress largely depends on you. The stronger this stress is, the more possible are various manifestations of nicotine withdrawal, as well as side effects associated directly with the stress itself. Everything is interconnected here - stress is a manifestation of nicotine withdrawal associated with physiological dependence on nicotine, and nervous tension associated with psychological addiction, aggravates it, and creates more high probability emergence of various side effects.

Do not forget that, afraid of painful sensations, as well as the possibility of more significant manifestations of withdrawal, you yourself create a fertile ground for their occurrence. However, if you know that you do not tolerate stress well, and especially if you suffer from any disease in which stress is dangerous, then you need to stop smoking under the supervision of a doctor. As with any physical addiction, with nicotine withdrawal modern medicine copes very well. There are many ways to stop it, ranging from nicotine patches, which will allow you to gradually reduce the dose of nicotine in your blood, and ending with full-fledged transfusion therapy, and the use of nicotinic receptor antagonists, thanks to which you will get rid of all unpleasant symptoms caused by tobacco cessation.

At the same time, it should be understood that medicine is not omnipotent, and there is no “miraculous” injection that will once and for all save you from this addiction. Doctors can only help you at the very beginning of your journey, ensuring the normal functioning of your body. And here is the further way to free from this addiction life, you have to go through it yourself. And this path is far from always easy, you will have to overcome the resistance of your brain with your will, and only after some time, you will finally be able to tell yourself that you have become free from this addiction. Again, how long this “some time” will last is largely up to you. A lot depends on your attitude to the cigarette - it should be extremely negative.

Further. Even judging by the forum and comments in the articles on this site, we can say that quite often people who quit smoking experience shortness of breath, shortness of breath, and it is difficult for them to breathe. It should be noted that this happens not only in the first days after quitting smoking. Shortness of breath (shortness of breath) in the first days after quitting smoking is mainly related to stress. In this case hard breath may be accompanied by high blood pressure and tachycardia. Here, I repeat, you need to be attentive to those people who suffer from diseases in which stress is dangerous.

Sometimes it happens when shortness of breath (shortness of breath) appears when the most difficult, most stressful period of quitting smoking is already behind and, perhaps, quite a bit has passed. long time after the last cigarette smoked (mostly 2-3 weeks). This may be due to the fact that the nervous system of the smoker (in the past) is accustomed to the stimulating effects of nicotine, because nicotine excites the nervous system. It, as described above, excites acetylcholine receptors, adrenaline is released, which, in turn, is known to activate respiration, increase heart rate, and increase blood pressure. Shortness of breath should pass, but it is better to play it safe and consult a doctor on this topic.

It is very possible that unpleasant phenomenon as a violation of intestinal motility. The movement of food mass in the intestines, as well as, in the future, stool(large intestine) is carried out by contractions smooth muscle intestines. We said above that in people who smoke regularly, acetylcholine receptors lose their sensitivity. Acetylcholine, passing nervous excitement nerve endings smooth muscles of the intestine, contributes to increased peristalsis of the intestine. When quitting smoking, the tone of this muscle may decrease and the automatism of its contractions may be disturbed, due to the lack of a stimulating effect of nicotine on the "exhausted" acetylcholine receptors.

It is also necessary to say a few words about possible depression and loss of strength. One of the reasons for its occurrence is, also, the lack of a stimulating effect of nicotine. Here again, there is a lack of acetylcholine, adrenaline and their most complex effects on the central nervous system and the body as a whole. This is if you "look" from the physiological dependence on nicotine. But still, its role should not be exaggerated. More significant reason depression is the psychological part of addiction - the absence of the process of smoking and the sensations associated with it. There is not only some restructuring of biochemical processes in the central nervous system, but also consciousness, because addiction to smoking is a disease of consciousness and behavior. In general, the physiological and psychological dependence on nicotine are closely interrelated. Most of the manifestations of nicotine withdrawal are directly related to the central nervous system, and such a manifestation of it as depression is first of all, because our consciousness is “generated” in the central nervous system. depressive state, in one way or another, perhaps from the first days of quitting smoking, and you need to be prepared for this. She will surely pass it is important to try not to give in to it. This is also important because it is depression that is one of the main obstacles to overcoming nicotine addiction - it is clear that it can "knock down" the mood of a person who quits smoking.

A few more words about overweight. When quitting smoking, many people gain weight, this interesting phenomenon is directly related to the psychological dependence on tobacco. After all, food is the strongest natural antidepressant. I think each of you felt a pleasant heaviness in the stomach, after which the world seems beautiful, and the mood rises for several hours. This effect is used former smokers when they feel bad, without the usual dose of nicotine, they eat. And the positive emotions caused by eating extinguish the negative that arose in their central nervous system under the influence of a pathological reflex that causes a desire to smoke. It is quite natural that trying to defeat these urges, the smoker replaces one addiction with another, that is, instead of smoking a cigarette, he eats something. We must also recognize the fact that when quitting smoking, again due to the lack of a stimulating effect of nicotine on the nervous and endocrine system, possibly a temporary decrease metabolic processes in the body (metabolism). However, lowering the level alone will improve the ability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen, as well as, and, accordingly, tissue respiration, which in to a large extent will help to increase the tone of the nervous system and enhance metabolism. So, this fact can be neglected - if you try to use the same amount of food, as before quitting smoking, then you can completely do without extra pounds. Of course, there are drugs that suppress this side effect (increased appetite), but they cost a significant amount of money, and must be taken under the strict supervision of a physician.

Please, if in the process of "quitting smoking" there were any severe symptoms, do not neglect the address to the doctor. After all, it doesn’t matter what causes, for example, high blood pressure, the important thing is that it is dangerous! We often scold doctors, sometimes justly. In fact, there are talented and not very talented doctors, attentive and rude, but it is clear that they know more than the most well-read patients anyway. Even the worst doctor has at least, medical experience and diagnostic tools. And before quitting smoking, it is better to consult a doctor. At the very least, this is the "" to your approach to quitting smoking.

If you decide you can't quit smoking without help medicines then, it is best to consult a doctor for their prescription. Most drugs have their contraindications and nicotine replacement drugs are no exception. In addition, it may happen that if any symptoms occur, it will be difficult to understand whether they are a manifestation of nicotine withdrawal, or whether they are side effect drug used?

Regarding the above, one more thing should be noted. important point. Some people don't like going to the doctor, even when they're sick or just not feeling well. So here it is there are times when such people, suddenly feeling unwell, consider it a “sure sign” that it is time to quit smoking (sometimes smoking and drinking at the same time). You can't do that because you don't know why. feeling unwell, and as mentioned above, stress can be dangerous in some diseases. Quitting smoking, in this case, can aggravate the disease that caused the poor health. This does not mean that you need to continue smoking, it means that you should definitely see a doctor first!

In conclusion, I want to note that this article was written in connection with the first comments on the article ““, it begins the “Quit Smoking” column. This article is written as a continuation of that article and the rubric as a whole. All articles in this column are interrelated and aim to create a positive mindset for people who want to quit smoking, and as a result, reduce stress, which is one of the main causes of all possible negative side effects. There is no need to be afraid of their occurrence. This article is written, as they say, in fairness. The above can and does happen. She's destined smoking people for which stress is dangerous. With this article I wanted to emphasize that if in the process of quitting smoking any pronounced symptoms arose, whether it be prolonged insomnia, persistent anxiety, depression, or tachycardia, severe shortness of breath, high blood pressure, chest pain, severe cough, fever etc., then you definitely need to see a doctor! After all, it does not matter what caused this or that symptom, the important thing is that it is abnormal, and maybe dangerous! This mainly concerns the elderly, as well as all people with diseases in which stress is contraindicated. For such people, before quitting smoking, you need to talk about it with your doctor.

In any case, there is no need to be afraid. The main problem in the first days after quitting smoking is stress, the degree of which, I repeat, is in your hands. None of the manifestations of the withdrawal syndrome listed at the beginning of the article may be present. In addition, do not forget that in addition to stress, from the first day of quitting smoking, the body experiences great relief, because a huge amount of toxic substances will no longer enter it. All the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal that have arisen will certainly pass. You have to be patient. The most difficult thing is with its most important symptom - the desire to smoke. How long this desire will haunt you depends on you.