by Laura on August 16, 2010
For people who have smoked for any length of time, the habit generally becomes a true addiction, and quitting can be quite difficult. Nicotine is the chemical component creating addiction, but there are also psychological factors that can be almost more difficult to overcome than the chemical component. 
Smokers have to be genuinely committed to quitting, or positive results are unlikely. For many smokers, quitting smoking side effects are difficult to overcome and some smokers may question the value of quitting.
Nicotine addiction causes the body to crave the substance. When smokers attempt to stop smoking, quitting smoking side effects will quickly manifest themselves. Within hours of stopping smoking the first side effects will be noticed. Craving for cigarettes will begin, and many smokers attempting to stop report an increased appetite. Other common quitting smoking side effects include nervousness or fatigue. Many smokers exhibit short tempers and complain of headaches. These symptoms will often appear within a few hours of having the last cigarette, and may continue for quite some time.
One of the most common quitting smoking side effects is weight gain. This is very common, but it should be noted that there are fewer negative effects from moderate weight gain than from continuing to smoke. A craving for food appears to be a substitute for craving a cigarette. Another very common side effect is depression. The intensity of the depression will vary from one individual to another, and if the depression worsens medical intervention may be indicated. Again, the length of time these symptoms persists is not consistent for all individuals, and may last for a short period or for several months.
Few health professionals have expressed the belief that enduring a period where quitting smoking side effects are suffered is not worth the effort. Long-term benefits of quitting far outweigh short-term discomfort. However, individuals with underlying health conditions should work with their physician when attempting to stop smoking to control the underlying conditions. Should other symptoms become extreme, intervention by health care professionals is also indicated. While most individuals will exhibit relatively minor symptoms, medical professionals are generally in agreement that smoking cessation efforts are well worth the efforts for long-term health benefits.
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by Laura on August 10, 2010
Countless individuals try to quit smoking on a regular basis. While some succeed, many fail to stop smoking even after multiple attempts have been made to do so. Some simply do not have the commitment needed to succeed. It may be that a family member or employer is applying pressure to quit, but the smoker may not yet be ready to take that step. Even if a smoker really wants to stop, the quitting
smoking symptoms may be overwhelming. As with any addiction, many people will require assistance to succeed in stopping.
Some quitting smoking symptoms occur very shortly after having that last cigarette. A craving for another cigarette will begin quickly. At this point it is critical that the smoker attempts to stay away from conditions that trigger the urge. That may mean staying out of situations where others are smoking. For many people, taking that “cigarette break” is also a social situation that may have to be replaced by another social situation. Most people will find that to be quite difficult, as their friends are continuing to smoke. Some people are in the habit of smoking after meals or indulging in a cigarette during the trip to or from work. Whatever the trigger situations are, avoiding them when possible will increase the likelihood of successfully quitting.
Longer term quitting smoking symptoms are even more difficult for some people to cope with. Weight gain is one of the most common issues encountered by smokers when attempting to quit. Virtually all smokers experience some weight gain in the weeks or months after quitting, but for some the weight gain may be significant. The common belief is that one craving is substituted for another. If the problem becomes severe, medical intervention may be required. Some smokers also suffer from depression or anger issues after stopping smoking. These issues may last for some time and create conditions that could negatively affect an individual’s personal or professional well-being.
No one ever said that stopping smoking would be easy, and some people quit only with a great deal of difficulty. From a medical standpoint, quitting is well worth the effort, but for some people quitting without outside help is virtually impossible. For better all-around health, any short term discomfort is worth the suffering. While quitting smoking symptoms may last for months, the benefits will last a lifetime.
Wikipedia has an interesting article here ===> Health effects of tobacco
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