Electronic cigarette – about side effects. What side effects may occur after quitting smoking?

During smoking, many different processes occur in the human body and psyche. This applies to the specific moment of inhaling cigarette smoke and the entire long period when a person is captive of this habit. And it would be foolish to believe that quitting smoking goes away without leaving a trace. If suddenly the body stops receiving the required dose of nicotine (to which it is already accustomed), then of course, it is experiencing stress. And of course, certain changes and processes also take place at this time, but already different from the first.

British scientists in the course of the experiment found that the stress experienced by a person during smoking cessation is perhaps the greatest of all that we experience during our lives, or one of the strongest. At the very least, test subjects describe the first week without nicotine as the worst nightmare of their lives. And they claim that they experienced more stress than, for example, a week before the wedding or during the divorce.

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This is why quitting smoking is very, very difficult. Otherwise, many smokers, who foolishly began to puff on cigarette smoke in a matter of minutes, would have stopped this tobacco self- and general murder in a matter of minutes, deciding to make their health and the world around them better.

If you decide to quit smoking, but you are confused by the side effects, so to speak, then you will have to be disappointed: they will certainly happen. But this does not detract from the benefits that you will bring to yourself when you overcome this nicotine evil. And this is what we can please you with: the benefits are colossal!

So, you will have a hard time, but the game is worth the candle. We are quitting smoking - theoretically for now.

In general, everything that will happen to you now can be generally called smoking cessation syndrome. Whether it be physical sensations or mental changes, they all characterize nicotine withdrawal:

• craving for nicotine;
• dizziness;
• depression;
• feelings of frustration, worry, anxiety;
• unstable mood;
• impatience;
• anger, nervousness, irritability;
• impaired concentration;
• sleep disorder and insomnia;
• headache;
• cramps in the stomach;
• general fatigue;
• increased appetite;
• exacerbation of chronic bronchitis;
• labored breathing;
• body pain;
• slowing down the heart rate, etc.

The craving for smoking in each individual person persists for a different period of time: from several weeks to months (in rare cases, more than a year) after quitting. But the abstinence syndrome is fleeting. In a week (maximum 2-3) everything should go away. The main thing is not to give up prematurely. The first days after quitting smoking determine the success of your plan. The third day is especially difficult, but after withdrawal it will begin to subside. And if you are determined to quit, consider it a done deal. The symptoms of withdrawal syndrome will begin to subside, which means it will become easier and easier.

Perhaps understanding what is happening will ease your suffering. The fact is that over the years of smoking, the body has physically become accustomed to a constant supply of . All your organs and systems have adapted to working in such conditions. And now these conditions have changed - the body begins to fight to return to its previous state. But you must win this fight.

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You want to smoke again and again precisely because soon after smoking a cigarette, the body is cleared of nicotine and begins to require the next dose. Well, it is logical that if a little more time passes, the cleansing will take place completely, and he will have to get used to the new conditions. This addiction is painful, debilitating, but inevitable. There will certainly come a time when the physical craving disappears and the withdrawal syndrome disappears. But you still have to work with psychological dependence.

What is most interesting and should warm your soul: as soon as you stop smoking, positive changes begin to occur in your body. But he - that is, the body - reacts negatively to them. The point is this: whose side will you be on?

Don't give up, help yourself. For weakness and malaise (when blood pressure is greatly reduced), tincture of eleutherococcus, ginseng or lemongrass will help greatly. You can also take something calming. Just in case, warn your loved ones in advance so that they do not pay attention to your causeless outbursts. Their understanding is also very important now.

Learn to enjoy and enjoy life in a new way. The fact is that when nicotine enters the brain, the pleasure hormone dopamine is produced. Over a long period of time, the brain gets used to artificial stimulation and stops producing it. Now he will learn this again - help him.

A decline in immunity as a reaction to change

Many smokers, after quitting smoking, begin to suffer from viral and colds. But they do not connect this in any way with the changes that have occurred. On the contrary, it may seem to you that your body should now become stronger. And it is true. Just not right away. But at first, just the opposite happens: immunity drops.

Cough, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and even conjunctivitis - yes, you have a virus or a cold. But all because you haven’t smoked for several days now. After all, now all your organs and systems are being rebuilt to function in new conditions. Including or primarily the immune system. Therefore, she is weakened and unable to react to the attack of diseases.

Often, in the first days after quitting, a smoker develops sticks and ulcers on the mucous membrane, stomatitis develops, and severe dry mouth is felt. But don’t lose optimism: in 2-3 weeks everything will change for the better.

Internal organs and systems come to life

H2_3

So, you’ve been sick, you’ve suffered, you’ve been tormented. Now is the time to recover. True, the recovery process began a long time ago, but only after a few weeks you will reap the benefits in the form of reduced risks of dangerous diseases.

First of all, this concerns the cardiovascular system. Here the improvements occur among the first and are the most noticeable: the elasticity of blood vessels increases, the heart muscle receives sufficient nutrition and works at full strength.

The nervous system also returns to normal. You will notice that the trembling in the limbs has disappeared (or at least noticeably decreased). Nervousness and irritability will fade away, you will become more cheerful than two weeks ago. The bronchopulmonary system is restored last.

So all organs and systems will gradually be renewed - you are reborn in a new nicotine-free life.

Changes in weight

This issue worries women who smoke most. And for good reason. After all, I wouldn’t want to harm my figure, even for the sake of such a useful cause. Indeed, there are many reasons why this happens: metabolism slows down, the functioning of taste buds improves, the most important way to quickly combat stress in the form of a cigarette is now missing. In addition, smoking dulls the feeling of hunger and so on.

But we hasten to reassure you. First, while it is possible to gain weight after quitting smoking, the changes are usually small: 3-4 extra pounds during the first year. Secondly, many people still lose weight after quitting smoking: this is probably due to a change in their entire lifestyle for the fundamentally better. Thirdly, even if you are unlucky and you belong to the first category of throwers, then weight gain can be controlled and with the right actions no fat gain will occur. The main thing is to know how not to gain weight after quitting smoking, and to follow these simple recommendations.

In memory of smoking

So, after a period of oppression and discomfort, a period of renewal and uplifting begins. But don’t be naive and don’t expect that long-term smoking will go away without a trace.

Over the course of many years of inhaling nicotine tar and other toxic substances from tobacco smoke, irreparable changes have occurred in the body. Scientists say that 100% recovery will never come.

And all because changes in tissues and organs due to smoking occur at the molecular level. As a result, genes responsible for cell division and DNA reconstruction are damaged. Therefore, even after several decades after quitting smoking, the risk of developing cancer of the lungs, bronchi, blood, nasopharynx and oral mucosa remains quite high. This is especially true for lung cancer. But, undoubtedly, this risk is many times lower than that to which a smoking person is exposed.

But it’s still necessary and possible to quit

No matter how many years you have not smoked and no matter how old you are now, it is possible to quit smoking if you want to. And to facilitate the process and mitigate the consequences of quitting nicotine, you should adhere to a program for healing and restoring the body.

You must be aware that the shorter your experience, the smaller the consequences of this addiction will be. The easier it will be for you to deal with it. The faster and to a greater extent the body will recover. But for this you need to quit smoking today.

Perhaps you have been smoking for decades and think that it is unlikely that anything will change for the better. But just think: after quitting smoking, you will have a lot of free time, you won’t smell bad, it will be pleasant to communicate with you (and this is important both personally and in business), you will save a lot of money (cigarettes become more expensive every day). day) and you will finally be able to go to Paris, you will not suffer from withdrawal symptoms during travel and flights and will not experience discomfort in non-smoking areas. And, in the end, even if you no longer have the health of an athlete, you will significantly reduce your risk of developing emphysema, lung cancer, atherosclerosis, or dying from a heart attack. And when, God forbid, it comes to this, you will sincerely regret that you did not quit smoking while still reading this.

And the improvement in health will begin within half an hour. Just quit the cigarette and never light it again. And you will begin a new healthy life.

New life without tobacco

Let's imagine for a moment that you just smoked a cigarette and decide never to do it again. We congratulate you - now you will become much healthier and, accordingly, happier. In just a few minutes, your risk of developing dangerous diseases will begin to decrease. And with every next hour the chances of recovery will increase.

Draw in your imagination a diagram of a person (yourself) and all his internal organs, imagine his well-being. And watch him literally get better before your eyes. This is evidenced by studies conducted by American scientists:

• Within 20 minutes that have passed since the last cigarette was smoked, the body begins the recovery process. Blood pressure and pulse stabilize and return to normal. Blood circulation improves, the temperature of the extremities (hands and feet) returns to normal.
• About 8 hours after quitting smoking, carbon monoxide levels in the blood drop and oxygen levels increase significantly. The so-called “smoker's breath” (bad odor from the mouth, wheezing, coughing) becomes less pronounced.
• After 24 hours, the body functions almost normally. Quitting smoking within 24 hours reduces your average chance of having a heart attack and increases your chances of surviving one if one does occur. Blood carbon monoxide levels finally return to normal. Mucus and toxic foreign substances that have accumulated during the bad habit begin to be removed from the lungs, and breathing becomes much easier. Nerve endings damaged by smoking begin to recover.
• After 72 hours, the bronchioles become less tense and the breathing process becomes freer. The risk of blood clots decreases, blood clotting returns to normal.
• After 2-3 weeks, the vital capacity of the lungs begins to increase.
• In the period from 1 to 9 months, you see that your health has noticeably improved. Coughing, wheezing, and sinus congestion subside and you stop choking. With the restoration of lung function, the risk of developing colds and infectious diseases decreases.
• After a year without nicotine, the risk of heart disease was halved compared to smokers.
• After 2 years without cigarettes, the risk of heart attack dropped to normal levels.
• Five years after quitting a bad habit, a former smoker who averaged a pack of cigarettes a day has half the risk of dying from lung cancer, as well as getting cancer of the mouth, throat or esophagus.
• After about 10 years, the likelihood of dying from lung cancer is the same as that of a non-smoker. The risk of other cancers, such as kidney, pancreatic and bladder cancer, is markedly reduced.
• After 15 years from the date of smoking the last cigarette, the risk of heart disease is similar to that of a non-smoker.

Do you feel like you can breathe easier? Now tell me that this is not worth quitting smoking...

Especially for- Elena Kichak

Withdrawal syndrome– a painful, often painful condition, which is a reaction of some body systems (mainly the nervous system) to the absence or reduction of the dose of drugs, alcohol, and other psychoactive substances that can be addictive. Withdrawal syndrome manifests itself mainly in the presence of severe dependence on a particular substance. When quitting smoking, symptoms of withdrawal syndrome are called nicotine withdrawal.

From the first days after quitting smoking, the following manifestations of nicotine withdrawal are possible: a strong desire to smoke, anxiety, irritability, tension, insomnia, depression, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, headache, convulsions, hand tremors, increased appetite, nausea, weakness, fatigue, constipation , tachycardia, increased blood pressure, bradycardia, shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air, sweating, allergic reactions, severe cough, mouth ulcers, etc. All these unpleasant effects are caused by the fact that, having lost their usual influx, your organs are trying to restore their normal work. This physical (physiological) recovery, to one degree or another, is reflected in the mental and physical state of a person whose body has stopped receiving nicotine. A person experiences stress, the level of which largely depends on the mood of the person quitting smoking.

Nicotine withdrawal, like alcohol and drug withdrawal, is a complex of psychoneurological and physical symptoms. The thing is that smoking tobacco causes addiction, both psychological and physiological. What is the difference between them, and how do they develop? Let's start with psychological dependence.

When smoking, a person, as a result of exposure to tobacco alkaloids (nicotine), feels a short-term surge of strength and vigor due to stimulation of acetylcholine receptors and the release of adrenaline into the blood. Starting with the first, and with each subsequent cigarette smoked, a clear reflex arc is formed in the central nervous system of the smoker; a cigarette in the mouth - inhaling smoke is a pleasure. It should be noted that all rewarding conditioned reflexes are formed in the body in exactly the same way. That is, a person does something, then the body rewards him with the release of endorphins, which bring positive emotions. This happens, for example, during physical activity in athletes. But in the case of smoking, endorphins are released forcibly, and our brain is deceived. According to the rules laid down in it by nature, the action, confirmed by the release of endorphins, is beneficial for the body, and the memory of it must be preserved by all means. This is exactly how psychological dependence is formed, and it is the most difficult to get rid of, because Only the smoker himself can fight it, and no one can do it for him. Only he himself, with his will and good attitude, can reverse this pathological reflex arc.

Now let's look at the physiological (physical) component of nicotine addiction. The effects of nicotine are ubiquitous and varied, but they are mainly realized through the influence of nicotine on the central nervous system. Nicotine interferes with many metabolic processes in the body. Almost every cell in the body undergoes this intervention, but physiological dependence develops mainly due to the effect of nicotine on the nervous system, not only the central one, but also the peripheral one. Nicotine becomes a participant in biochemical processes in it. As mentioned above, it excites cholinergic receptors, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is released, which conducts excitation through nerve cells. There is also a release of adrenaline, which, in turn, not only has a powerful, versatile effect on the nervous system, but also a stimulating effect on other endocrine glands and in particular on the pituitary gland. Complex interconnected biochemical processes occur throughout the body. One thing is clear here - nicotine, like a rider lashing a horse, “spurs” all these processes in the body of a smoking person, and the worst thing about this is that With regular smoking they become somewhat normal. Over time, the sensitivity of cholinergic (acetylcholine) receptors dulls and a person, in fact, no longer smokes to get pleasure from smoking, but to feel normal. It becomes uncomfortable without cigarettes.

When quitting smoking, the nervous system and the entire body will face a period of adaptation of its own. The body (primarily the nervous system) needs to learn to function normally without this stimulant, and this will definitely happen, because all these processes that occur under the influence of nicotine are not natural. In the first days of this "adaptation" a person experiences stress and most of the above symptoms are associated with stress, but there are exceptions. For example, one of the negative phenomena after quitting smoking may be frequent colds of the respiratory system (ARI, severe infections are possible), namely the appearance of symptoms of bronchitis, laryngitis and rhinitis (cough, runny nose, nasal congestion). In this case, the following happens: with prolonged smoking, nicotine causes a persistent spasm of the bronchioles. Quitting smoking has the opposite effect - dilatation of the bronchi is observed, and as a result, the risk of developing an infectious lesion increases. In principle, dilation of bronchioles when quitting smoking is a normal phenomenon, because bronchospasm in smokers is a protective reaction of the body - the body strives to limit the access of tobacco smoke to the respiratory organs as much as possible. Well, the penetration of infection into the dilated bronchi and possible bronchitis is the result of a malfunction that many smokers have. There is also the opinion of scientists that a person who quits smoking has a temporary decrease in immunity due to the cessation of the intake of large amounts of toxic substances from tobacco smoke into the body - the immune system “relaxes.”

In the first days, a cough is possible that is not associated with infection (although it is also possible). This cough occurs as a result of prolonged irritation of the bronchi and lungs from tobacco smoke. There is, in a way, a cleansing of the respiratory organs from accumulated mucus and tobacco smoke products. The cough may be severe and produce sputum. It should be noted that such a cough may also be due to existing chronic diseases of the respiratory system, which worsened when quitting smoking.

There are cases when ulcers appear in the mouth after quitting smoking. The reason for their appearance, like frequent colds, is associated with a decrease in immunity during this period. For years, the mucous membranes of the oral cavity have been irritated by tobacco smoke, and when a person quits smoking, they become very vulnerable to pathogenic microflora, because:

1. when quitting smoking, general immunity decreases;
2. as a result of prolonged irritating exposure to tobacco smoke, the cellular immunity of the cells of the oral mucosa is reduced;
3. with prolonged smoking, the bactericidal properties of saliva decrease;
4. When you quit smoking, the oral cavity loses its last defense - the bactericidal effect of nicotine (possibly some other components of tobacco smoke).

Obviously, when quitting smoking, it is necessary to protect yourself from colds and pay attention to oral hygiene, and if these unpleasant phenomena occur, be sure to consult a doctor.

Frequent colds and mouth ulcers are not associated with the stress that occurs when quitting smoking, and they mainly occur when the most stressful period has already passed. However, most of the other possible manifestations of nicotine withdrawal that occur in the first days after quitting smoking are directly related to it. That is why, Before you decide to quit smoking, you need to be well prepared. You need to soberly weigh - are you in a good mood, are you ready to maintain peace of mind? To one degree or another, stress will certainly arise, but the level of this stress largely depends on you. The stronger this stress, the more possible various manifestations of nicotine withdrawal are possible, as well as side effects associated directly with the stress itself. Everything is interconnected here - stress is a manifestation of nicotine withdrawal associated with physiological dependence on nicotine, and nervous tension associated with psychological dependence aggravates it and creates a higher likelihood of various side effects.

Don't forget that, fearing painful sensations, as well as the possibility of more significant manifestations of withdrawal, you yourself create favorable conditions for their occurrence. However, if you know that you do not tolerate stress well and, especially if you suffer from any disease in which stress is dangerous, then you need to quit smoking under the supervision of a doctor. As with any physical addiction, modern medicine copes with nicotine withdrawal very well. There are many ways to stop it, starting from nicotine patches, which will allow you to gradually reduce the dose of nicotine in your blood, to full transfusion therapy, and the use of nicotinic receptor antagonists, thanks to which, in just a few days, you will get rid of all the unpleasant symptoms caused by stopping use tobacco

At the same time, it should be understood that medicine is not omnipotent, and there is no “miraculous” injection that will free you from this addiction once and for all. Doctors can only help you at the very beginning of your journey, ensuring the normal functioning of your body. But you will have to go through the further path to a life free from this addiction. And this path is not always easy, you will have to overcome the resistance of your brain with your will, and only after some time has passed, you will finally be able to tell yourself that you have become free from this addiction. Again, how long this “some time” will last depends greatly on you. A lot depends on your attitude towards cigarettes - it should be extremely negative.

Further. Even judging by the forum and comments in articles on this site, we can say that quite often people who quit smoking experience shortness of breath, lack of air, and have difficulty breathing. It should be noted that this happens not only in the first days after quitting smoking. Shortness of breath (shortness of breath) in the first days after quitting smoking is mainly associated with stress. In this case, heavy breathing may be accompanied by high blood pressure and tachycardia. Here, I repeat, You need to be careful for those people who suffer from diseases in which stress is dangerous.

Sometimes it happens when shortness of breath (lack of air) appears when the most difficult, most stressful period of quitting smoking is already over and, perhaps, quite a long time has passed since the last cigarette smoked (usually 2-3 weeks). This may happen because the nervous system of a smoker (in the past) is accustomed to the stimulating effects of nicotine, because nicotine excites the nervous system. It, as described above, excites acetylcholine receptors, a release of adrenaline occurs, which, in turn, as is known, activates breathing, increases heart rate, and increases blood pressure. The shortness of breath should go away, but it is better to play it safe and consult a doctor on this topic.

It is very possible for such an unpleasant phenomenon as impaired intestinal motility. The movement of food mass in the intestine, and also, subsequently, feces (large intestine) is carried out due to contractions of the smooth muscles of the intestine. We said above that in people who regularly smoke, acetylcholine receptors lose their sensitivity. Acetylcholine, transmitting nervous stimulation to the nerve endings of intestinal smooth muscles, enhances intestinal motility. When you quit smoking, the tone of this muscle may decrease and the automaticity of its contractions may be disrupted, due to the lack of the stimulating effect of nicotine on “exhausted” acetylcholine receptors.

We also need to say a few words about possible depression and loss of strength. One of the reasons for its occurrence is also the lack of the stimulating effect of nicotine. Here again there is a lack of acetylcholine, adrenaline and their complex effects on the central nervous system and the body as a whole. This is if you “look” from the side of physiological dependence on nicotine. But still, one should not exaggerate its role. A more significant cause of depression is the psychological part of addiction - the absence of the very process of smoking and the sensations associated with it. There is not only some restructuring of biochemical processes in the central nervous system, but also consciousness, because addiction to smoking is a disease of consciousness and behavior. In general, physiological and psychological dependence on nicotine are closely interrelated. Most manifestations of nicotine withdrawal are directly related to the central nervous system, and such a manifestation as depression is primarily, because our consciousness is “generated” in the central nervous system. A depressive state, to one degree or another, is possible from the first days of quitting smoking, and you need to be prepared for this. It will certainly pass, - It’s important to try not to give in to it. This is also important because depression is one of the main obstacles to overcoming nicotine addiction - it is clear that it can “knock down” the mood of a person quitting smoking.

A few more words about excess weight. When quitting smoking, many people gain weight; this interesting phenomenon is directly related to psychological dependence on tobacco. After all, food is the strongest natural antidepressant. I think each of you has felt a pleasant heaviness in your stomach, after which the world seems beautiful and your mood improves for several hours. It is this effect that former smokers use when they feel ill, without the usual dose of nicotine, they eat. And the positive emotions caused by eating extinguish the negativity that arose in their central nervous system under the influence of a pathological reflex that causes the desire to smoke. It is quite natural that, trying to overcome these urges, the smoker replaces one addiction with another, that is, instead of smoking a cigarette, he eats something. We must also recognize the fact that when quitting smoking, again due to the lack of stimulating effects of nicotine on the nervous and endocrine systems, a temporary decrease in metabolic processes in the body (metabolism) is possible. However, just reducing the level will improve the ability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen, as well as, accordingly, tissue respiration, which will greatly contribute to increasing the tone of the nervous system and increasing metabolism. So, this fact can be neglected - If you try to eat the same amount of food as before quitting smoking, then you can completely do without extra pounds. Of course, there are medications that suppress this side effect (increased appetite), but they cost a significant amount of money and must be taken under strict medical supervision.

Please, If during the process of “quitting smoking” any severe symptoms appear, do not neglect to consult a doctor. After all, it doesn’t matter what causes, for example, high blood pressure, the important thing is that it is dangerous! We often criticize doctors, sometimes rightly so. In fact, there are talented and not so talented doctors, attentive and rude, but it is clear that they know more than the most well-read patients. Even the worst doctor has at least medical experience and diagnostic tools. And before quitting smoking, it is better to consult a doctor. At least that's the "" to your approach to quitting smoking.

If you decide that you cannot quit smoking without the help of medications, then it is best to consult a doctor to prescribe them. Most medications have their contraindications and nicotine replacement drugs are no exception. In addition, it may happen that if any symptoms occur, it will be difficult to understand - are they a manifestation of nicotine withdrawal, or are they a side effect of the drug being used?

Regarding the above, one more very important point should be noted. Some people do not like to go to the doctor, even when they are sick or simply not feeling well. So, There are cases when such people, suddenly feeling unwell, consider it a “sure sign” that it is time to quit smoking (sometimes smoking and drinking at the same time). This cannot be done, because the cause of poor health is unknown, and as mentioned above, stress can be dangerous in some diseases. Quitting smoking, in this case, can aggravate the disease that caused poor health. This does not mean that you need to continue smoking, it means that you should definitely consult a doctor first!

In conclusion, I would like to note that this article was written in connection with the first comments on the article ““, it begins the “Quitting Smoking” section. This article was written as a continuation of that article and the section as a whole. In this section, all articles are interconnected and are aimed at trying to create a positive attitude for people who want to quit smoking, and as a result - reducing stress, which is one of the main reasons for all possible negative side effects. There is no need to be afraid of their occurrence. This article was written, as they say, for the sake of fairness. The above can and does happen. It is intended for smokers for whom stress is dangerous. With this article I wanted to emphasize that if in the process of quitting smoking any severe symptoms arose, be it prolonged insomnia, persistent anxiety, depression, or tachycardia, severe shortness of breath, high blood pressure, chest pain, severe cough, fever and etc., then you definitely need to see a doctor! After all, it doesn’t matter what causes this or that symptom, the important thing is that it is abnormal, and maybe even dangerous! This mainly applies to older people, as well as all people with diseases for which stress is contraindicated. Such people should talk to their doctor about it before quitting smoking.

In any case, there is no need to be afraid. The main problem in the first days after quitting smoking is stress, the degree of which, I repeat, is in your hands. None of the withdrawal symptoms listed at the beginning of the article may occur. In addition, do not forget that in addition to stress, from the first day of quitting smoking, the body experiences great relief, because a huge amount of toxic substances will no longer enter it. All symptoms of nicotine withdrawal that arise will certainly pass. We need to be patient. The most difficult thing is with its most important symptom - the desire to smoke. How long this desire will haunt you depends on you.

Electronic cigarettes are positioned by manufacturers as a harmless alternative to tobacco products. These are modern gadgets that produce fragrant steam. How do e-cigarettes work? Do they help you quit smoking?

Smoking electronic cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes imitate. However, instead of tobacco smoke, they produce vapor with or without a certain amount of nicotine.

Each gadget has a microprocessor built into it, which, when you press a button, activates the action of the spiral: it heats up and turns the liquid into steam. Outwardly, it does not differ from the smoke of ordinary cigarettes, but does not have a specific tobacco smell. The person takes a puff of steam and then exhales it.

The main components of the mixture for e-cigarettes:

• propylene glycol;
• glycerol;
• liquid nicotine;
• food flavoring.

Theoretically, all components, besides nicotine, are harmless to the body. During the vaping process, no tar or carcinogens are released, and due to the absence of a pungent odor, the device is allowed to be used in public places. However, some researchers argue that due to insufficient control, low-quality ingredients are often mixed into the liquid or their nicotine content is increased.

Principle of operation

The mechanism of action of an electronic cigarette is similar to an inhaler. At the moment of inhaling, the liquid is generated into vapor, which is inhaled.

The gadget is battery-powered and turns on using a button or automatically at the moment of tightening. When a person takes a breath, a microprocessor inside the battery starts up, sending a signal to the evaporator and an LED smoldering simulator.

As a result of heating the liquid, steam is formed that enters the lungs. After inhaling, the device turns off, and with the next puff it turns on again.

Device

The device of most electronic cigarettes includes 3 elements:

• Battery.
• Atomizer.
• Cartridge.

Batteries are divided into push-button and automatic, which are activated at the moment of inhalation. At the end of the battery there are LEDs that simulate combustion.

The cartridge is a cartridge with liquid that is supplied to the atomizer. Externally, it is a filter; inside it there are several elements: a mouthpiece, a reservoir and a porous material.

Through the cartridge, the liquid enters the atomizer - the main element of the gadget, where steam is generated. A spiral and a wick are placed inside. At the top of the evaporator there is a bridge made of metafoam, ensuring its contact with the cartridge.

There are also other vaporizer variations - cartomizer and clearomizer. The cartomizer is a combined atomizer and cartridge. The clearomizer has a built-in cartridge that can be refilled.

The video shows the device and operating principle of an electronic cigarette:

Features of use

Each element of an electronic cigarette has a certain performance reserve. To function properly, they must be properly maintained.

The average battery life is 5-6 hours, then it needs to be charged. The cartridge is comparable to a pack of cigarettes, but it can be used up faster. When smoking a regular cigarette, a person sees when it runs out, but the gadget does not have a limiter.

When the cartridge is used up, it must be replaced by unscrewing the old one and installing a new one. When using a clearomizer, you need to open the tank and fill it with a new portion of liquid.

Benefits and harms

When switching to an electronic cigarette, positive changes are noted: the whiteness of teeth returns, it becomes easier to breathe, the morning cough and headache disappear. This occurs due to the cessation of intoxication of the body by harmful substances from tobacco smoke. However, in addition to the positive effect, there are also many answers to the question of whether smoking such a cigarette is harmful.

Physiological factors

Electronic cigarette liquid does not emit tar, so it is considered less harmful. On the other hand, propylene glycol in its composition often causes allergies. The liquid also contains nicotine, which is a poison that poisons the body.

For this kind, they are no less dangerous than ordinary ones. Nicotine will quickly accumulate in the fetal blood, causing damage to its internal organs.

Serious consequences during pregnancy are also possible:

• Miscarriage.
• Spontaneous abortion.
• Premature birth.
• Oxygen deficiency in the fetus.

Electronic cigarettes can cause serious harm to teenagers. They often try an e-cigarette just out of curiosity, but after some time they develop a desire to try tobacco. At the same time, the danger of using nicotine in adolescence is very serious - it has a negative effect on brain development.

Psychological factors

The danger of e-cigarettes is that they can cause strong psychological dependence. This device does not have a limiter, so a person can not let go of it all day long. On a subconscious level, there is a need to constantly hold something between your fingers.

In addition, the safety of electronic cigarettes for health is actively being replicated, although the results of many studies prove the opposite. Convincing himself that the gadget is harmless, a person begins to soar without fear.

In the video about the benefits and harms of electronic cigarettes:

Passive smoking

Scientists at the University of Southern California conducted a study that showed that e-cigarette vapor contains more toxic metals than the smoke of regular cigarettes. This proves the harm of passive smoking.

Most of the harmful metals, according to researchers, enter the liquid as a result of non-compliance with production technology. Control in this area is weak, since appropriate quality standards have not yet been developed.

Side effects

Electronic cigarettes cause side effects. Many of them are related to quitting tobacco. The body, accustomed to regular poisoning by carcinogens and resins, begins to get rid of toxins, which are accompanied by:

• acne;
• burning taste (bitterness) in the mouth;
• cough;
• mouth ulcers;
• bleeding gums;
• nausea;
• headache;
• weakness.

These symptoms usually go away within 1-2 months as the body eliminates most of the toxins. There are also side effects after smoking associated with allergies to propylene glycol and nicotine overdose:

• dizziness;
• night sweats;
• dry throat;
• muscle pain;
• hiccups;
• diarrhea;
• rapid pulse.

Is it possible to quit smoking with an electronic cigarette?

The effect of electronic cigarettes on the body has not yet been fully studied, so it is impossible to give a definite answer to the question of whether these devices help to quit smoking. Experts only agree that those who do not have a bad habit should not start vaping an electronic cigarette - this will definitely not bring health benefits.

Some doctors claim that by gradually reducing the amount of nicotine in the e-liquid, their patients manage to get rid of addiction. In contrast, scientists from the United States present the results of their research.

Americans have found that many e-liquids contain more nicotine than stated on the packaging, resulting in addiction forming very quickly. In addition, mixtures for electronic cigarettes contain purified liquid nicotine, which is instantly absorbed in the form of vapor. Among 136 study participants, only one managed to overcome addiction forever with the help of a modern gadget.

Compared to a regular cigarette, an electronic cigarette has some advantages. However, it cannot be called absolutely harmless to health.

Here is a comparison table:

Cigarette	Regular	Electronic
Substances released	5000 chemical compounds, including: resins; carcinogens; nitrosamines; carbon monoxide; hydrocyanic acid; nitrogen oxides; free radicals; radioactive components; 76 metals.	Toxic metals, including: chromium; nickel; zinc; lead.
Amount of nicotine consumed	The limit on the number of puffs is 1 cigarette.	There is no limit to the number of puffs, which can result in a significant increase in nicotine consumption.
Smell	Tobacco smoke permeates clothes, hair, hands, and causes bad breath.	There is no unpleasant smell.
Addiction	Formation of nicotine addiction.	Highly addictive. Even nicotine-free liquid provokes persistent psychological dependence.
Passive smoking	Harm to others.	Harm to others.
Dry mouth and cough.	Yes	Yes
Yellowing of teeth and nails	Yes	No
Diseases of internal organs	Yes	not enough data

Why do unpleasant symptoms occur after quitting cigarettes?

Nicotine is a substance not produced by the human body. It comes from outside when smoking. People who smoke develop nicotine addiction very quickly. By giving up cigarettes, you will block access to this substance. Your body will be left without the chemical support it had during the years you smoked. As a result, a state of shock will occur, in which unpleasant symptoms of quitting cigarettes will begin to appear.

Side effects are noted by many former smokers who have given up the bad habit. What symptoms arise after you have quit smoking once and for all? Let's look at the most basic of them.

Side symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and ways to get rid of them

Your body will work a little differently after you quit smoking. The following discomforting effects may occur:

• nicotine fasting;
• cough and sore throat;
• irritability;
• increased food cravings.

Let's take a closer look at each symptom.

Nicotine fasting

One of the consequences of quitting smoking is a strong craving for cigarettes. Your body will experience nicotine starvation and need chemical support. For this reason, many people who quit smoking return to cigarettes.

To avoid relapsing after giving up a bad habit, experts recommend eating vegetables and fruits at least 4 times a day. The effectiveness of this method was proven by American scientists who conducted relevant research.

Heavy smokers cannot do without nicotine therapy. It means taking medications containing nicotine. As a rule, such therapy is carried out for 3 months from the date of quitting smoking.

Cold symptoms

In the first days after quitting smoking, your cough will get worse. You will feel a sore throat. Such symptoms occur with a cold, but in this case they have nothing to do with it. When smoking, the condition of the mucous membranes worsens significantly. Nicotine has a detrimental effect on cells. Smoking causes dry mucous membranes.

After quitting cigarettes, the cells of the respiratory tract are restored, small cracks heal. This causes cold symptoms. To eliminate cough and discomfort in the throat, it is recommended to drink more water. Thanks to the liquid, the mucous membranes will be moisturized.

Irritability

The consequences of quitting smoking also include increased irritability. When you smoked, nicotine entered your body and had an effect on your brain. The substance lifted my mood. After quitting cigarettes, the amount of pleasure hormones produced decreases. You begin to feel discomfort and become more irritable. These side effects go away on their own. If they bother you, then visit a doctor. He will prescribe nicotine therapy.

Increased food cravings

Nicotine, entering the body, blocks neurons that are responsible for the feeling of hunger. In this regard, you do not notice an increase in appetite. After quitting smoking, all sensations that were previously muted become more intense. The body begins to demand food. You can cope with increased food cravings and reduce your appetite thanks to fruit chewing gum.

The month after quitting cigarettes is a very difficult period. Side effects do not allow me to live normally. If you cannot cope with the consequences of quitting smoking on your own, then contact a pulmonologist. If necessary, he will prescribe you appropriate medications.

Side effects fromsmoking usually manifests itself in days. You need to know about them and take them into account - this will help you not to break down and forget about the bad habit forever. Otherwise, the person will return to an addiction, and this will gradually poison his body.

Symptoms , accompanying throwing after quitting smoking, manifest themselves most in those smokers who indulged in a bad habit for a long time. Smoking cigarettes plunges a person into a state close to euphoria, but it occurs in small doses and comes at the cost of one’s own health. Sooner or later, many smokers decide to put an end to their harmful addiction and take the path leading to a healthy life.

How does deliverance happen?

Side effects that occur when quitting smokingMost often they manifest themselves in the same way for everyone, but there are also individual symptoms. You need to prepare yourself for their occurrence, otherwise it will be very difficult to resist the desire to smoke again.

After quitting smokingappear frequently symptoms withdrawal syndrome, which can sometimes be very difficult to cope with to the one who quit this bad habit. There are cases when a person has the idea that he felt much better when he smoked, but this is self-deception, which can lead to incorrect actions . Side effects can be quite unpleasant.

Help deal with these symptoms maybe a positive attitude and awareness that they are a temporary phenomenon. After nicotine and other toxins stop entering the body, it begins to experience a state of stress.After quitting smokingIt has a negative effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems, as well as on the respiratory system and stomach. All symptoms that arise cause stress.

What Happens During a Failure

What are the side effects are coming after quitting smoking? They may vary depending on the characteristics of the person’s body, his age, and also on his smoking history. They appear due to stress, which is caused by the fact that the supply of nicotine has stopped. The most difficult period is considered to be the second half of the first week, when quit smoking . The adaptation period itself can last up to 16 weeks.

In the case when a person smoked two packs a day, his body was heavily influenced by toxins and other harmful substances contained in tobacco smoke. Usually the effect of smoking disappears within 25 minutes and then withdrawal begins to occur, the body needs a new dose.

In this situation, the following changes occur:

• heart rate slows down;
• blood pressure decreases;
• blood vessels dilate.

These manifestations will not cause major changes in the body, but if a person never smokes another cigarette, they will begin to get worse. The person begins to feel warmth in the body, especially in the fingertips. This occurs due to vasodilation.

Those who have smoked for 5-10 years will begin to feel this symptom not so soon, but within a few days or even a week.

After quitting smokingwithdrawal syndrome occurs. It manifests itself in the following signs:

• strong craving for smoking;
• sleep problems;
• nervousness;
• irritation;
• slight dizziness;
• increased appetite;
• problems with focusing.

First days

The first day will not be easy. After three hours, the discomfort will stop getting worse. Most former smokers note that the severe condition will continue for 7 hours. The respiratory system will begin to change as the first 4 hours pass. The person will feel that his breaths have become deeper. If you are not used to it, this can lead to a state of panic, but do not worry, because this is the first sign that the body has begun to recover.

In addition, in the first days the body will become saturated with oxygen, which will replace carbon monoxide that has attached to the blood cells.

Soon the restructuring of the entire body will begin, so oxygen will begin to flow to the organs and cells. This will not affect the person's condition in any way.

After this stage is over, it will be easier for a person to cope with negative symptoms.

On the second day, changes occur in the cardiovascular system. There is a high risk of having a heart attack. On this day, a person will begin to better taste food and smell different smells. For heavy smokers, these sensations may appear later.

In addition, the following symptoms may also occur:

• constant desire to snack;
• increased nervousness;
• a surge of energy in the morning;
• reducing cravings for cigarettes.

First month

Nicotine completely leaves the body after 3 days. But this does not mean that smoking is over. A good mood due to a firm decision to give up a bad habit fades over time, and in its place apathy, a feeling of fatigue, and depression appear. Negative symptoms do not go away and are also supplemented by headache, vomiting and breathing problems while walking quickly. These symptoms may last for several days. At this time, the desire to smoke will begin to haunt the person and the risk of relapse increases. It takes a lot of willpower to resist temptation.

Most negative symptoms disappear after a few weeks. Positive changes begin to appear. Starting from the second week, the person becomes more energetic.

Over the course of 4 weeks, other positive changes begin to occur, such as:

• more active blood circulation occurs;
• the functioning of the respiratory system improves;
• the condition of blood vessels improves.

In addition, coughing clears the lungs, and combustion products are removed with phlegm.

First year

Positive changes are progressing. Skin condition improves. It looks healthier and the person visually acquires a younger appearance.

Over time, men's potency becomes better. The craving for cigarettes disappears, and along with it the dependence on nicotine. Immunity increases, which affects the general condition of a person. He no longer suffers from colds.

But negative symptoms still remain. Due to increased appetite, a person may gain excess weight, so you need to watch your diet or go on a diet.

Often a person is tormented by a cough, but this does not happen to all former smokers. This usually depends on the length of smoking, as well as the individual characteristics of the body. Coughing attacks most often appear in the morning, before bed and after lying down for a long time. If it is difficult to bear, it is recommended to seek help from a specialist.

Each manifestation of negative symptoms passes over time, so the most important thing is to successfully survive difficult periods.