Symptoms of Quitting Smoking

When a smoker stops inhaling tobacco smoke, or replaces it with significantly cleaner e-cigarette vapor (about 1,400 times cleaner than cigarette smoke according to e-cigarette reviews), the body starts a self healing process that can last from several months to several years until all the damaged organs, such as the throat, lungs and gums, have fully recovered. It is important to know what to expect when quitting smoking using electronic cigarettes, and the associated tobacco withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine is not the only addictive substance in tobacco smoke, which is generally comprised of several thousand different chemical compounds. The biggest culprit is tar, which is a thick and oily substance that sticks to the mouth (and teeth), nasal passages and airways.

Coughing is the most common symptom of quitting smoking and a way for the body’s system to clean out the accumulated layers of tar and carbon, that come out when hoarking in the form of brown mucus and phlegm (sputum). For that same reason, some smokers experience a hoarseness in their voice, and the feeling of a lump in the throat, which usually does not last longer than a couple of weeks. In other instances some have reported having temporary acne (or quit zits), which are essentially toxins coming out through the pores in the skin. Mouth ulcers may also occur, depending on how long the mouth was submitted to smoke, and as the body’s natural healing process continues, it removes damaged tissue and replaces it with new tissue in the form of temporary lesions. To help the body recover quicker its a good idea to perform a daily cardio exercise routine to make the body sweat, all the while drinking lots of water to replace the lost bodily fluids. Sweat filters out more toxins and speeds up recovery. If the water is not replaced quickly enough, some people will experience hiccups. Some great cardio exercises that will make you move and sweat include swimming, rowing and biking.

In some cases heartburn may also find its way into the list of associated e-cigarette symptoms,  it could be due to a overly high nicotine dose in inhaled e-liquid vapor. Lowering the nicotine strength of the e-cigarette cartridges used, as well as having a glass of milk (a base to counteract the acid) should get rid of the acid reflux. Dizziness may also occur when the chosen nicotine strength is too high for the body to handle in which case a lower nicotine dose is recommended. An itching and tingling sensation has been noted by some, due to increased blood circulation in the body, as it continues the cleansing process, bringing blood pressure back to normal levels. An improved sense of taste and smell have been noted by everyone quitting smoking, and food as well as drinks may appear to taste differently. At the same time, because the body is now getting less nicotine than it is used to with tobacco, muscle spasms, cramps, headaches and a feeling of nausea may occur, although these do not last longer than just a few days. Once again fresh air and cardio exercise seem to be the best remedy along with plenty of clean water: doctors recommend drinking 2 liters or 8 glasses of water per day (if your urine is of a dark-orange tint then you are definitely not getting enough water, the urine should be clear and barely colored at all when the body is properly hydrated). Coffee also dehydrates the body so it is important to drink even more water to replace the fluids lost, and better yet, cut down on the daily coffee intake. If stomach gas becomes a problem in the weeks after you quitting smoking, it will pass, but it also helps to chew food until it is mushy and salivated before swallowing. You may also try to stay away from gassy foods such as cabbage, beans or bacon. In some rare instances diarrhea may occur, which could be due to body intolerance to propylene glycol, in which case vegetable glycerin cartridges should be used instead (the Blu e-cig brand offers USA-made glycerin-only nicotine vapor juice).

The human body acts like a self cleansing machine which adjusts itself accordingly to the changes in its diet and intake. It absorbs what it deems useful and rejects that which is toxic, at a reasonable rate. Quitting smoking is not an easy task which is why many quit smoking guides exist on the internet to help smokers in this time of need. E Cigarettes have been shown to reduce many of the unpleasant symptoms associated with quitting smoking. The better we take care of our bodies, the better we fee both physically and mentally, and the longer we live.

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One Comment

  1. I am a living example of what it’s like to quit smoking and replaced the addiction with e-cigarettes. It is not an easy thing to do even with ecigs but is 10 times easier with them. If you can just make it 2 weeks than you can do it the rest of the way.

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