Medical and health institutions in the United States and all over the world have already concluded that cigarette smoking is related to numerous health problems. Recent research studies have shown that cigarette smokers have dangerously high risk of getting lung cancer than those who does not smoke. Other major health problems that can be acquired from cigarette smoking include throat cancer, oral and lung cancer, and other various lung illnesses such as smoker's cough, emphysema, premature wrinkles, lack of stamina and endurance, bloodshot eyes and decrease in libido and loss of desire.

Do you know that in every stick of cigarette, there are 4,000 or so chemicals and that at least 60 of these chemicals are identified as those which can cause cancer? Most of us would think of lung cancer as the main disease caused by cigarette smoking. However, lung cancer is just really one of the many diseases as smoking is also known to cause bladder cancer, as well as pancreatic, kidney, cervix and esophageal cancer.

When you smoke, the nicotine in your cigarette interacts with your brain chemistry. The toxins in the smoke reduce oxygen flow to your brain and the adrenalin suppressing qualities of nicotine bump up your blood sugar levels. The net result is you have become used to chemicals in your brain, reduced oxygen levels and higher than normal blood sugar levels.

When you quit smoking, the continuing effect of the nicotine and other toxins stops and your brain's 'normal' environment changes very rapidly. Within three days there will be a 20% increase in blood oxygen levels and a continued suppression of blood sugar as well as no nicotine or other toxins. The result is that your brain goes into a period of adjustment whilst it comes to terms with its new, healthier environment, no longer bathed in nicotine and toxins. This change manifests itself in headaches that are both irritating and tiring.

The best bet is to drink plenty of fluids and consider taking an appropriate painkiller whilst the headaches persist.

4) Cravings

The act of quitting smoking means that your body is no longer being given a supply of nicotine. As a result, you start suffering from nicotine withdrawal symptoms that manifest themselves as cravings to smoke. As a smoker, you have always associated nicotine with cigarettes so now that you are in need of nicotine, your body is craving a cigarette in order to overcome the nicotine shortages in the blood stream. Cravings normally peak after the third day of a quit and then subside quite rapidly after that.

Some other side effects

• Headaches and tingling sensations in limbs
• Common cold like symptoms
• Nausea, fatigue, drowsiness and digestion problems like constipation and diarrhea
• Insomnia and disturbed sleep
• Mental confusion and weakened concentration
• Reduction in blood pressure and return of blood pressure and heart rate to normal levels.
• Mood swings, irritability and restlessness
• Mild or even severe depression
• Cravings for tobacco