Coping with Smokers Flu:
Self-Care Tips and Home Remedies.

Introduction

Are you suffering from fatigue, headache, and sore throat right after quitting smoking? Curious about what is this change happening in the body? Well, you might be suffering from smokers flu.

Smokers flu is a by-product of quitting smoking, to which your body is addicted. Smokers flu includes some symptoms that last for two-four weeks. These can be treated naturally or with medical aid.

While letting go of an old addiction is tough, this one is easier than you might think. Quitting smoking is hard, but breaking old habits demands time and consistency. If you want to improve your health, you have to swallow this bitter pill. The symptoms are temporary, but the rewards are permanent. This timely inconsistency will land you on safer grounds.

Confused about smokers’ flu symptoms, how long does smokers flu last, and foods that reduce nicotine cravings. Don’t worry! You are on the right platform.

This blog will answer your questions! Moreover, it will guide you with effective remedies to help you cope with the smokers flu.

What is Smokers Flu?

Firstly, let’s start with the basic information about smokers flu.

Smoker’s flu, also known as quitter’s flu, is an aftermath of quitting smoking. These represent the usual symptoms that people experience after saying goodbye to smoking. These symptoms include fatigue, coughing, sore throat, etc. In fact, the symptoms are the result of nicotine withdrawal that has addicted your body for years. Nicotine addiction is not easy to pull out and requires consistency.

Smoker’s flu is not counted as an infection but rather an after-effect of quitting smoking. Nicotine addiction affects 90% of smokers who experience the symptoms after the transition.

The best thing is withdrawing nicotine is not difficult; on the contrary, tobacco and opioids are way harder to leave. Tobacco and opioids are potentially harmful to your health; and withdrawal may lead to serious health issues.

Meanwhile, you can experience the numerous benefits of quitting smoking over time that will motivate you to cope with the after effects.

How Long Does Smokers Flu Last?

Smokers flu is not an infectious disease. Actually, it is not a disease. It is a group of symptoms that appear during post smoking period. Smoker’s flu is considered a healing process after transitioning to nicotine withdrawal.

The duration of a smoker’s flu varies from person to person. It depends upon various factors like smoking duration and intensity, body metabolism, immune strength, etc. However, in most cases, smoker’s flu lasts for two-four weeks.

What Happens When You Quit Smoking and Start Vaping?

Transitioning to vaping reduces exposure to toxins that cause lung and heart diseases. Vaping is the use of devices and specific doses of nicotine lesser than that in cigarettes. The 14 pumps of vaping equal one cigarette, thus reducing nicotine exposure. Vaping could be the best substitute for smoking and aids in letting go of it. It reduces the effects of sore throat from smoking. The studies say that two-thirds of people who switch to vaping with expert advice successfully quit smoking.

Vaping during the post-quitting period also proves beneficial. Vaping has lesser side effects on the lungs than smoking and helps improve health conditions. It may also aid in managing the smoker’s flu till treatment. But vape should also be quitted when there is no more need.

Vape is potentially less dangerous than smoking, but some people might get serious reactions. Although it’s rare, but consult a physician as soon as possible. You can also book a virtual appointment if you live in the USA.

Causes of Smokers Flu

The symptoms of smokers flu are signs of the healing process. The body is recovering from nicotine addiction.

Cigarettes contain nicotine which binds to the neurotransmitters in the brain. This binding induces the activity of hormones like dopamine, serotonin, etc., responsible for controlling certain functions like memory, appetite, mood, etc. Once you quit smoking, the nicotine level drops, and the body has to get used to it. The lack of triggers in the body and the decline in hormone level cause symptoms like appetite change, fatigue, depression, etc. However, these symptoms are timely and will fade away with time.

Smokers Flu Symptoms

The main smokers flu symptoms include irritability, headache, cigarette craving, depression, anxiety, etc. However, many people experience other symptoms like:

Sore Throat from Smoking.
Coughing.
Chest tightening.
Insomnia.
Dizziness.
Dryness in mouth.
Sore gums.
Stomach ache.
Distraction issues.

Coughing might be not just a smokers flu symptoms, but a sign of healing. During smoking, the cilia present in the respiratory canal paralyzes. So they cannot remove the entrapped mucus. When you quit smoking, the cilia regain their function, and thus the symptoms appear.

Some people experience four or more smokers flu symptoms, including sore throat from smoking, coughing, etc., while others may experience all of them. The signs and symptoms and the duration of the symptoms vary from person to person. It depends on the body’s physiological conditions, duration and intensity of smoking.

Foods that Reduce Nicotine Cravings

Although symptoms of smoker’s flu vary from person to person, some food intake might help manage the condition.

The quantity and quality of food aids in managing many diseases’ after-effects. The same is true for smoker’s flu. The significant barrier after quitting smoking is nicotine craving. A simple guide to overcoming this issue is as under:

Avoid spicy and sugary food items- these tend to increase the cravings for a cigarette, and so must be avoided.
Switch to low-calorie foods- opting for crunchy food options with low calories will aid a lot. It will help to satisfy the cravings for crunch while retaining your weight. Food items like apples, carrots, etc., are viable options.
Stretch your meals- hurriedly eating has deteriorating effects on health. Taking a pause between bites and slowly eating increases satisfaction with food. It also aids in improving health conditions, which declined by nicotine. For desserts, opt for tangerines or oranges, which are healthy options too. Crack some nuts to keep your mind busy and distracted from the addiction.

Self-Care Tips and Home Remedies

Although uncomfortable, the smokers flu symptoms improve with time. Here is a list of self-care tips as well as home remedies that will aid you in managing the symptoms well:

Eating healthy- eating healthy is the first step to recovery. Avoiding fast food and sugary items helps in reducing nicotine cravings. During post smoking period, you need food that will sustain energy and balance and help you recover from the smoker’s flu.
Getting rest- after quitting smoking, the body battles to excavate the toxins. So take plenty of rest to overcome the timely inconvenience. Go to bed early, avoid heavy exercise, and your health conditions will restore soon.
Stay hydrated- your body is fighting toxins, so drink plenty of water to flush them out.
Gargle using salty water- it helps to soothe the sore throat.
Breathe deeply- Deep breathing can help improve lung conditions damaged by the effects of nicotine.
Exercise- moderate exercises can help boost your mood and improve your lungs. The best way is to start with light exercises and then shift to heavy ones.

Treatment

The remedies stated above are to be observed first. Although you can opt for medications to treat the symptoms or if the home remedies prove ineffective. These include:

Over-the-Counter-Medications- Use OTC medications to help treat symptoms like pain, cough, etc. Before using any medication on your own, consult a physician first.
Adjust your lifestyle- do things that make you feel comfortable and joyous. It helps to distract your mind, and eventually, the smoking habit eliminates. For some people, exercising proves beneficial and aids in releasing stress and making them feel comfortable.
Distraction- the most effective therapy is to distract your mind. You are more tempted to pick a cigarette after quitting it due to addiction. However, this can be easily controlled by distracting your mind. Go out with friends, exercise, play games, travel; everything that helps distract your mind from opting for cigarettes.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, smokers’ flu is an aftermath of quitting smoking. The nicotine in cigarette smoke is addicting. While it activates the neurotransmitters in the brain, it induces feelings of happiness and relaxation. The nicotine-transmitter binding induces the production of hormones that activates specific feels. So, when nicotine is lacking, the body has to adjust to new conditions, and thus the symptoms appear.

Smokers’ flu takes around two-four weeks to disappear, depending on a person’s strength and metabolism. It also highlights what happens when you quit smoking and start vaping. An alternative route would be to opt for vape, a device with reduced nicotine quantities for inhaling. It aids a lot in quitting smoking. The natural or self-care remedies for a person include changing eating and sleeping habits, exercising, and using medications with a doctor’s advice. Moreover, foods that reduce nicotine cravings might help, like low-sugar and spicy food, increase nicotine cravings. If the symptoms continue, see a doctor or book a virtual appointment.

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Coping with Smokers Flu: Self-Care Tips and Home Remedies.