4 Effects of Withdrawal
1. Digestive: You may experience heartburn, indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea. Symptoms usually get worse before they begin to improve.
2. Respiratory: Sinus congestion, coughing, phlegm and a slight hoarseness can occur.
3. Circulatory: You may feel dizzy, stiff, or even tingling in your toes and fingers.
4. Sleep: You may experience insomnia as well.
These effects are a direct result of your body repairing the damage that smoking has caused, and starting to smoke again will only set back your plans of a healthy lifestyle. If you fight through your withdrawal stage (which should only last 3-4 weeks) you will see immediate and long-lasting health improvements.
To give you an idea of the benefits that you will experience once you quit smoking, the American Cancer Society has created a timeline that describes what you can look forward to in your new, smoke-free life.
20 minutes after quitting
Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
(Effect of smoking on arterial stiffness and pulse pressure amplification, Mahmud A, Feely J. Hypertension.2003:41:183)