Nicotine addiction is incredibly common nowadays, and many people may not realize they are experiencing it. Here are a few side-effects of nicotine addiction, as well as some signs that may show you are suffering from it.
What is Nicotine Addiction
Firstly, nicotine addiction is simply the need to have nicotine at almost all times, no matter the situation you are in, physically or medically. There are many ways to get past it, such as quitting completely, learning how to get a vape prescription to lower your intake, or seeking medical help.
Effects of Nicotine Addiction
There are several side effects of nicotine addiction, but the ones listed below are widely regarded as some of the most serious and the ones you need to pay attention to the most.
Cancers
Many cancers can be caused by smoking or inhaling nicotine, such as lung, throat, and mouth cancer, to name a few. Even if your nicotine direction isn’t a direct cause of cancer, it can greatly increase your chances of developing the disease.
However, quitting can easily turn this around and not only drastically drop your chances of developing cancer, but also help your lungs and organs recover from the damage smoking has caused.
Heart & Circulatory Problems
Smoking and nicotine have been shown to increase your blood pressure and heart rate, as it constricts blood pressure and puts increased strain on your heart. Because of this, you become more prone to heart attacks and heart disease.
The main issue with this is that smoking immediately causes these issues, and it is not something that only develops over time. It simply gets worse over time, meaning the longer you carry on smoking or vaping, your chances increase.
Diabetes
Diabetes is something many smokers and nicotine users don’t realize is a side-effect of their condition. However, it is more common than you may think. Smoking has been shown to increase your insulin resistance, meaning you are setting yourself up to develop Type-2 diabetes.
Not only does it get worse if you smoke and you are unaware of your condition, but if you are diabetic and continue to smoke, you can drastically increase the speed at which your complications can take over, and can easily become life-threatening.
Complications During Pregnancy
There are countless problems associated with smoking and nicotine intake during pregnancy. These problems include everything from miscarriage to developmental issues once your child is born.
One of the more severe problems is the possibility of SUD, or sudden unexpected death, in infants, as they are often born with weaker lungs and immune systems.
Tooth & Gum Disease
Yellowing of your teeth and fragile teeth are only two of the problems you may face when smoking. Gum disease is all too common among smokers, and this can lead to constant infections, the need for tooth removal, and, in the worst-case scenario, cancer.
If you already suffer from teeth or gum issues, smoking can worsen these to the point of needing medical help, or potentially some type of surgery.
Signs of Nicotine Addiction
Now that you understand some of the consequences associated with nicotine addiction, here are a few signs that, more often than not, show that you suffer from nicotine addiction.
Nicotine Withdrawal
Firstly, experiencing withdrawal or withdrawal-like symptoms is one of the most common signs of nicotine addiction. These symptoms can differ, but they often appear as headaches, stomach aches, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping.
In simple terms, withdrawal will make your body experience side effects that aren’t the norm, showing that your body is craving nicotine.
Mood Swings
Mood changes and mood swings are another common sign of nicotine dependence. People who consume a lot of nicotine will become agitated, easily angered, or even depressed if they go a long time with nicotine.
This is another fairly common sign as nicotine use is tied into the brain, releasing “feel-good” chemicals that make us happy; therefore, if there is no nicotine, your mood will change negatively.
Constant Cravings
Constant cravings are another sign of nicotine addiction, as it shows your body’s dependence on it. This is more prevalent in people who are still desperate to smoke or consume nicotine even when it is the last thing they should be doing, such as when they are sick.
Failure to Quit
While this may sound obvious, not being able to quit is another clear sign that you may have a nicotine addiction. This means that no matter how hard you try or what you try to do to quit, you end up going back to your old habits.
If you are in are in this position, you may need intervention from a medical professional who can provide the tools and treatment you may need.
As you can see, these are but a few of the side effects and signs of nicotine addiction. It is a serious issue that many don’t pay enough attention to until it is too late. However, it is never too late to quit, and you can easily lower or completely eliminate the chances of developing any of the above issues simply by quitting.
