Smoking cessation withdrawal effects and vaping

Smoking withdrawal does have some side effects. Much of which will be alleviated with the nicotine liquid. There are a number of physiological changes people go through when they quit cigarettes. This is due to the additional harmful chemicals your body has become accustomed to. When you stop smoking the body will attempt to heal itself from the damage. This may mean you are coughing more than usual. It doesn’t mean that vaping has made you sick, or that vaping causes these side effects. It is merely your body clearing itself out. It has begun the healing process. Stick it out, as it will pass.

1. Increased Coughing, Cold and Flu symptoms, Wheezing and Increased Sputum

Its those smokers lungs you have acquired over time. You may experience symptoms that are similar to that of a flu or a cold. Your lungs are purging all the extra gunk cigarette smoke has deposited. Smoking limits your lungs ability to purge itself of foreign contaminates. Upon quitting smoking, your lungs start to recover this reflex, the best way it knows how – by coughing. Coughing is most commonly caused by the cilia lining your lungs, as it cleans out the tar and toxins. Studies have shown that colds are more prevalent in smoking cessation. Your body is adapting to change and your immune system is working overtime. Take vitamins to help your body along and drink lots of water.

Expect these symptoms to last for a week and possibly up to a month, dependent on how long you have been smoking. Studies indicate that this process starts within a few days of smoking cessation. Consume lots of water to help this process along. You may like to take an over-the-counter medication until these symptoms dissipate. If the coughing has continued much longer than a month, you should consult with your doctor.

2. Hoarseness

This is in relation to the coughing and throat clearing process above. The tissue regeneration oftentimes can give you a frog like voice. Throat lozenges may help. Drinking lots of water is also a suggestion to sooth the throat.

3. Headaches, Nausea and the "Shakes"

The absence of contaminates, can have patients reporting headaches soon after they have taken up vaping. Chemical changes are going on which contribute to the headaches. The biggest factor will be the change in oxygen levels. Cigarette smokers inhale a large amount of carbon monoxide, plus a number of other poisons. Carbon monoxide has the ability to lower your blood’s oxygen level. e-Cigarettes don’t contain carbon monoxide. Pure nicotine liquid is free from other harmful substances. Your brain and circulatory system will be making adjustments to get used to the increased oxygen levels. Within this process you may experience headaches or tingling in the extremities.

4. Bad Breath, Dry Mouth or Sore Throat

Bad breath, dry mouth and sore throat are symptoms that vaping can exacerbate., and is caused by dehydration. The vapour cloud typical of e-cigarettes and vapourisers has the ability to remove moisture from the air. This is also true of the moisture in your mouth and throat. The solution is to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. This is something you will have to continue as you vape – yet is not a bad thing.

5. Mouth Ulcers

A scientifically studied symptom, mouth ulcers appear as small legions on the gums, the roof of your mouth and within the inside of your cheeks. As your body sloughs off to replace damaged tissue, these small lesions may appear. Rinse your mouth with water frequently. This will help speed up the healing process.

Itching, tingling, prickle sensations

These symptoms, so long as they are mild, are due to increased circulation. These symptoms should disappear in a few weeks.

6. Heartburn

Attributed to quitting smoking, heartburn is also caused by too much nicotine. Try lowering your nicotine strength if you suspect too much nicotine is the reason. If the problem persists for over a week, consult your doctor.

7. Weird Taste Sensation

Smoking messes with your sense of taste. When you stop smoking it will take a little time for your sense of taste to return back to normal. As your body rids itself of tar, and build-up, you will gain the ability to taste and smell. Food that you liked as a smoker, may seem extremely salty, now as a non-smoker. Food that you thought bland, may suddenly seem delicious. This also holds true to your nicotine liquid flavouring. You may find your favourite flavour isn’t so enjoyable as expected.

8. Stomach Upset / Flatulence

Toxins from smoking also show up in your stomach. As the contaminants get expelled through bathroom elimination this process may mean that patients experience cramping, constipation, diarrea and flatulence. This will subside. The bacteria in your digestive system, just needs time to regulate. Keep hydrated, eat fiber rich and this should pass quickly. If you experience diarrea, this may be due to an intolerance to PG (propylene glycol). Try switching to a VG (vegetable glycerin) based liquid if this continues.

9. Muscle cramps, spasms and aches

As more oxygen enters your body, you may find circulation improvements cause you to experience aches and pains. This is entirely normal. The body is in the process of flushing out all the toxins you have been exposed to. With muscular cramps, it is also possible you are experiencing dehydration. This is typical if you vape and forget to keep hydrated. Drink lots of water to counteract dehydration and muscular cramping.

10. Insomnia and Dreams

The changes your body is going through may affect you psychologically. Some people find they have an increased sensitivity to caffeine during smoking cessation. Limit your caffeine intake if you find yourself experiencing insomnia. Also try limiting how long you are vaping in the evening. It is possible that the stimulation from the nicotine could be the reason for your insomnia.

11. Moodiness

They refer to them as Nicotine "Nic Fits". No doubt if you have tried quitting before, you are aware of the "crazies" experienced that transforms the once mild mannered personality into something rather ugly. e-cigarettes provide a nicotine replacement therapy effectively, however they don’t deliver everything you got in your old cigarettes. The chemicals in cigarettes are typically there to enhance the smoking experience. They work to speed up the delivery of nicotine to your brain and assist in moderating the rate at which a cigarette burns. These chemicals and others might be equally or more addictive than the nicotine. Some people find that e-cigarettes don’t quite take the edge off like they were expecting. This then leads to irritability and anxiety. For most however, these symptoms are much more mild.

12. Increased Sex Drive

It turns out that smoking decreases your sex drive. According to this article as you recover for smoking, you may find your libido (and stamina) have become supercharged.

13. Dizziness

Your circulation is increasing, whereby you may experience dizziness as your body gets accustomed to a larger oxygen supply. This should only last for a brief period of time until you adjust.

A second cause of dizziness can be attributed to too much nicotine from your e-cigarette or vaping device. If you find yourself puffing on it all day, you may need to alternate between nicotine strengths. Perhaps you may be using a nicotine strength that is too high for you. If the problem persists, consult your doctor.

14. Acne

It is common to have a mild acne breakout. Again this is due to the body releasing toxins and will pass as your body adjusts to being smoke free.