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Health Problems When Quitting Smoking

People often quit smoking due to health and fitness concerns. However, breaking your addiction to cigarettes and the nicotine in them may be accompanied by several health problems, which are the result of withdrawal symptoms, chemical changes in the body, and the removal of toxins from the nose, throat and lungs.

  1. Dizziness

    • Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur during the first one or two days after you stop smoking, due to the loss of nicotine in the brain.

    Headaches

    • Headaches are very common in the first couple of weeks, as your brain chemistry starts to adjust to life without nicotine.

    Difficulty Concentrating

    • Feelings of vagueness or lack of focus are common in the first couple of weeks once you quit smoking.

    Sleeping Problems

    • Changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or early waking before the alarm in the morning, may occur in the first few days after you quit. These changes and the lack of nicotine in your system can also result in overall tiredness for the first couple of weeks after you stop smoking.

    Upper Respiratory Symptoms

    • Common upper respiratory symptoms after you quit smoking include coughing, tightness in the chest, a runny nose or symptoms similar to a cold or allergies. They usually begin to fade within a month of quitting.

    Constipation

    • Constipation or irregular bowel movements often occur in the first month due to the altered chemistry in your body once you quit smoking. Eating a diet high in fiber and drinking water will combat this symptom.

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