If you have been smoking for some years and quit smoking recently then possibilities are high that you experienced the following physical and psychological complications generally known as nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

The usual physical problems faced are:

* Tingling in the hands and feet
* Sweating
* Intestinal disorders (cramps, nausea)
* Headache
* Cold symptoms as the lungs begin to clear (sore throats, coughing, and other signs of colds and respiratory problems)

In addition you have emotional or psychological nicotine withdrawal symptoms like:

* Behaving like a child – temper tantrums, intense needs, feelings of dependency, a state of near paralysis.
* Insomnia
* Mental confusion
* Vagueness
* Irritability
* Anxiety
* Depression is common in the short and long term

It makes treatment and quitting permanent if the smoker reads about the nicotine withdrawal symptoms in advance and gets mental preparation. This also helps him or her in garnering necessary support from his family and friends. A nicotine addict finds quitting very difficult due to the impact nicotine has on the human brain.

Our brain produces neurotransmitters, chemicals that regulate moods, such as norepinephrine and dopamine. If you don’t have the means to produce enough of these chemicals, your mood suffers. Another feel good hormone called serotonin may be deficient.

Nicotine does not help with serotonin production, but by stimulating the production of the other neurotransmitters it can help make up for the lack of serotonin, and produce similar pleasant feelings, hence the addiction to smoking.

Then there are people who do not have any nicotine withdrawal symptoms after kicking the butt. These people have brains that are not very sensitive to the poison in a cigarette. They are mostly social smokers and hence can get rid of the habit quite easily. People who get a high only after a smoke are the nicotine addicts, and they surely have withdrawal symptoms after quitting the habit of smoking.

The first few weeks after quitting smoking are usually the most difficult. It takes about 8-12 weeks, before any ex smoker starts to feel comfortable with not taking a puff. Withdrawal from nicotine creates a chemical dependency, since the body had developed a need for a certain level of nicotine at all times.

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are generally very high during the first 2-4 weeks, and then the symptoms become more bearable. The person who quits smoking needs to take in a lot of fluids, have moderate exercise, eat fibre rich food to combat the nicotine withdrawal symptoms like constipation, cold and cough, headaches, fatigue etc.

The person needs to be cared for and doctors need to monitor the recovery to avoid any complications. Most of the chronic smokers get into a state of depression and anxiety upon quitting, and this can be cured by medical intervention. In the early weeks after quitting smoking doctors prescribe medications like:

Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) – This is an anti depressant medication. Using bupropion or nicotine replacement therapies alone doubles the odds of successful quitting.

Varenicline (Chantix) – This is a newer smoking cessation medicine. It blocks the effects of nicotine on the brain and eases withdrawal symptoms.

There are several strategies for treating nicotine withdrawal symptoms

Nicotine supplements mentioned below help:

* Gum
* Inhalers
* Nasal spray
* Skin patch

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms should not be a deterrent in quitting, the smoker has to have a resolve in getting out of the habit and improve his or her health and habits.

Make sure you have a look at my home page to get more worthwhile advice on Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms