What exactly happens when you give up smoking? Most smokers experience some withdrawal symptoms when giving up smoking. These vary from one person to another and can include any of the following: irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, coughing, restlessness, disturbed sleep and mouth ulcers.
Withdrawal symptoms when giving up smoking might not be as severe as you fear, and for some pass within a few days. For others though, it might take a bit longer. Think of the side effects of quitting smoking as your body starting to recover from the damage caused by smoking. For example, a wet chesty cough means you're getting rid of the rubbish in your lungs.
It’s important not to be afraid of what may happen to you when you give up smoking. Focus on the positive changes while the side effects of quitting smoking subside.
The good news is that your body starts feeling the benefits as soon as you’ve smoked your last cigarette.
- Within 20 minutes your blood pressure and pulse returns to normal.
- Within 20 hours carbon monoxide clears from your body. Oxygen levels rise and you have more energy.
- Within 3 days your breathing becomes easier as your bronchial tubes begin to relax.
- Within a few weeks your fingers lose their yellow stains and your skin looks better.
- Within 3 months your circulation is improved.
- Within 3-9 months your lungs are clear of most of the mucus and tar that has accumulated over the years. You feel fitter and free of coughs and wheezing.
- Within a year your risk of a heart attack has fallen to about half that of a smoker.
- Within 15 years your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker.
Top Tips gives you practical advice on quitting. It has some suggestions, most of them from ex-smokers themselves, to help you get through the withdrawal period.