Difficulty to quit smoking and neglecting respiratory problems despite knowing the cause, are some of the most common symptoms of nicotine addiction.
Tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco contain a chemical substance known as nicotine that is known to be habit forming. Hence, we notice rising cases of nicotine addiction all over the world. Although nicotine itself is not harmful, the hundreds of chemicals that are inhaled while smoking are detrimental to health.
Symptoms
Cannot Stop Smoking
As nicotine is habit-forming, it becomes next to impossible for the smokers to leave this cancer stick. In fact, the presence of nicotine is the reason why smokers light cigarettes one after another within a short span of time. Inhaling nicotine gives momentary pleasure and so the brain soon starts craving for this good feeling, which forces the person to light multiple cigarettes in a day.
Ignore Health Problems
Even after diagnosis of lung problems, smokers tend to ignore their health problems and continue with their habit of blowing smoke. This attitude or mindset of neglecting health issues is an indication of nicotine addiction.
Smoking Becomes Top Priority
Smoking becoming important and other activities taking a backseat, is also indicating that you have become addicted to nicotine. For smokers, smoking tops the list of ‘things to do’ in a day. They are ready to sacrifice all other activities to get that smoke break.
Complaining About Withdrawal Symptoms
People who smoke minimum 4 to 5 cigarettes everyday are bound to experience withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop smoking. This is yet another hurdle that may discourage people to quit smoking. Withdrawal symptoms are nothing but mental and physical problems that occur when the habit of smoking is discontinued abruptly. They are explained below:
Mental Ailments
Abrupt discontinuation of smoking can lead to poor concentration, which can negatively affect performance at office work. Quitting smoking can also make the person restless every now and then. Small trivial issues might frustrate him easily and he is likely to suffer from mood swings. Depression or anxiety may creep in due to inability to manage cravings for nicotine.
Physical Ailments
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can interfere with normal bowel function. Bowel dysfunction such as diarrhea and constipation is often observed in people who have suddenly stopped smoking. Apart from unhealthy bowel function, leaving cigarette abruptly can also cause headache and sleeping problems. Difficulty falling asleep (insomnia) is often the result of sudden discontinuation of the cigarette. Food cravings may also increase dramatically, eventually resulting in excess weight gain.
A point to note here is that there are quite a few easy ways to quit smoking that can enable smokers to get rid of this cancer stick. Using smoking substitutes like chewing gum that has flavors like mint or menthol has been effective to quit tobacco. Use of herbal tobacco may also help to get rid of addiction.
Given that tobacco products are addictive, one should think twice before puffing the cigarette for the first time. It is a known fact that the habit of smoking is the main culprit behind the development of lung cancer and many other dreaded ailments including cardiovascular problems and oral cancer. Youngsters are well aware of these health hazards, yet decide to light the cigarette for the first time and eventually continue the habit for the rest of their life. Why? Health experts are yet to find out the answer to this question.
