Five years ago, 72-year-old Zhang Bo experienced family changes and fell into a low mood. The voices around him told him that smoking would relieve stress and dispel anxiety.
So, in that dim moment, he took the first cigarette in his life, and since then he has fallen into an endless sea of smoke. However, fate is not forgiving. Two months ago, a persistent cough made it impossible for Uncle Zhang to sleep peacefully.
In the cold hallways of the hospital, he learned that he had COPD and pulmonary nodules. The doctor's words were serious and firm, and quitting smoking became his only way out. Faced with the threat of disease, Zhang Bo was determined to reform and resolutely discarded all smoking equipment.
The process of quitting smoking was not easy for Uncle Zhang. For the first month, he struggled to restrain his heart's desires and endure physical suffering. However, one morning, Uncle Zhang suddenly fainted in the bathroom.
The children rushed him to the hospital in a panic, where the diagnosis showed that he had suffered from withdrawal syndrome and vertigo due to quitting smoking too quickly.
This fainting had a huge impact on Uncle Zhang's body, and multiple fractures made him miserable. After three months in a hospital bed, the once-resilient old man closed his eyes forever.
The children could not accept the fact that their hearts were full of doubts and anguish: why did quitting smoking have such bad consequences?
01
When you are old, you get sick after quitting smoking?
In the process of quitting smoking, many smokers experience a series of physical discomforts, such as dry mouth and thirst, difficulty concentrating, headaches, insomnia, and anxiety, which are common "withdrawal symptoms" after quitting smoking.
These symptoms are mainly due to the smoker's deep dependence on nicotine. When the human body suddenly tries to break free from the shackles of nicotine, it naturally produces a series of uncomfortable reactions, a condition that is also known as "nicotine withdrawal syndrome" in the medical community.
So, do these withdrawal reactions cause substantial harm to the body? In fact, from a medical point of view, the withdrawal symptoms that occur during the smoking cessation process do not cause real harm to the body.
Rather, these responses are more like a self-protection mechanism for the body to adapt to the absence of nicotine stimulation. They suggest that the body is undergoing a shift away from nicotine dependence.
Usually, this withdrawal reaction is short-lived, and it starts within a few hours of quitting smoking, peaks in about two weeks or so, and then gradually wanes.
In most cases, these uncomfortable symptoms will gradually disappear after about four weeks. Of course, there are a few people who may last for more than a year to completely get rid of the effects of nicotine.
Therefore, the pain and discomfort in the process of quitting smoking is indeed the main reason why many people fail to quit smoking. However, with enough determination and patience, these difficulties can be overcome.
02
Should you quit smoking when you're old?
Three leading experts from the German Cancer Research Center, after an in-depth analysis of research data from many countries, revealed the fact that the mortality rate of people who still smoke after the age of 60 is as high as 83% compared to those who have never been involved in tobacco.
However, when we switch perspectives and compare this group of persistent smokers with those who choose to quit smoking later in life, a reassuring phenomenon emerges: there is a significant reduction in mortality and a reduction in risk by about 28%.
Not only that, but another study published in the authoritative medical journal "Internal Medicine Literature" also provides us with strong evidence. According to the report, older adults who smoke are far more likely to suffer from geriatric diseases than those who have quit.
These data and findings lead us to realize that quitting smoking is still of great value in improving our health, even though the years have left its mark on us.
It is worth mentioning that with the popularization of health knowledge and the increase of publicity in recent years, more and more smokers have begun to realize the importance of quitting smoking for their health.
03
How to quit smoking properly?
First of all, it is important to recognize the dangers of smoking. Smoking is not only harmful to one's health, but also to the health of those around them. Tobacco smoke contains many harmful substances such as nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, which can cause serious harm to the human body. Therefore, quitting smoking is an important step in protecting your own health and the health of others.
Second, make a reasonable quit plan. Quitting smoking is not an overnight process, and requires a gradual reduction in the amount of cigarettes smoked and eventually a complete quit smoking.
You can make a specific quitting plan based on your smoking habits and set some milestones in the plan so you can track your progress.
At the same time, take an aggressive approach to quitting smoking. Quitting smoking isn't just about stopping smoking, it's about taking some positive steps to ease the discomfort of quitting.
For example, anxiety and stress can be relieved through exercise, meditation, or seeking professional help. In addition, alternatives such as smoking cessation patches, chewing gum, etc., can also be tried to reduce the symptoms of quitting smoking.
Also, seek social support. Quitting smoking is a difficult task that requires encouragement and support from others. You can ask your family, friends or doctor for help and encouragement and support. In addition, you can join a smoking cessation group or community to share experiences and insights with other ex-smokers and work together to quit smoking.
Finally, be firm in your beliefs and stay positive. Quitting smoking is a long-term process that requires strong faith and a positive mindset. Despite the challenges and difficulties associated with quitting smoking, as long as you maintain a positive mindset and believe that you can successfully quit smoking, you will be able to overcome the temptation of tobacco and embrace a healthier and better life.