A former smoker experienced prolonged headaches after he quit smoking. Here's what happened
The calming neurological effects of nicotine, how it creates a pleasurable feeling and a sense of relaxation, is what keeps smokers coming back for more.
A former smoker, Mohd Amin Fuad can very well relate to this. He became a social smoker at the age of 18 and gradually turned into a heavy smoker, smoking a pack a day in the following years, going back and forth between cigarettes and vape.
But it was in the year 2016 when he developed bronchitis that Amin decided to completely break away from his smoking habit.
Soon after he quit smoking, Amin began experiencing excruciating headaches, his sinus flared up, and his bronchitis began to worsen.
“One day I was eating at a restaurant and suddenly I felt like the world was spinning. I couldn’t look up, it felt like I was experiencing vertigo.
“It was so bad that the restaurant staff had to help escort me to my car. I remember that day so vividly and I never want to go through that again,” he said in an interview with Sinar Daily.
These symptoms that Amin had experienced was due to the effects of nicotine withdrawal from the body, but he wasn’t aware of it at the time.
“I didn’t know what was happening to my body - I consulted various doctors, specialists, I even opted for traditional medicine, you name it. But nobody could tell me what was wrong.
“It was only weeks later that we were able to pinpoint the root of the problem. All thanks to my mother who made friends with a lady while strolling at the park. She opened up about my health condition and it just so happened that the woman's son had also experienced a similar problem," he said.
What he couldn’t bear with the most was the continuous headaches that lasted for months - it reached a point where he was left with no choice but to apply for an extended leave from work as completing daily tasks was almost impossible.
After various consultations and tests, he was advised to opt for surgery to improve his sinus condition, however things did not look up for Amin as it appeared as though the headaches saw no end in sight, even after he went under the knife.
In fact, on his wedding day which took place three months after he quit smoking, his prolonged headache was still very much evident.
“If it wasn’t for painkillers, I wouldn’t have made it through the solemnisation ceremony,” he said.
Smoking cessation effects varies from one person to another. In Amin’s case, his body didn’t respond well when he quit cold turkey.
Dr Sasikala Devi Amirthalinga, a family medicine specialist from IMU Healthcare explained that the common symptoms of smoking withdrawals include headaches, nauseousness, increased appetite and constant craving for nicotine.
“The longer you smoke, and how much you smoke will determine the severity of the symptoms. The more you smoke, the longer it takes for the nicotine to be released or detoxified from the body,” she said.
“The sinus congestion should go away within a few months, but if it continues to prolong, then it’s best to go for further check-ups,” said Dr Sasikala.
GETTING HELP
Dr Sasikala explained that there are treatments available in Malaysia to help those who want to quit smoking. Walk into any public health clinics and you can find a smoking cessation programmes where patients can discuss with doctors on their plans to quit.
“Besides public health clinics, local pharmacies also offer free and friendly stop smoking services. Pharmacists may advise to use nicotine patches for example.
“But the first step towards quitting is having the right mindset. You may relapse along the way, but you can always try again.
“Every bit of not smoking with help reverse the damage on the lungs, kidney, bladder, blood circulation. Don’t stop trying,” she said.
Other initiatives by the government to reduce the usage of tobacco includes the Mquit programme, and the recent announcement in its pans to ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to those born after 2005.
MOVING ON
For Amin, the constant headaches finally stopped close to eight months after he quit smoking.
“The day I woke up with no headache, was the happiest day of my life. However, I still experience sinus problems to this day and chesty coughs once in a while.
“It’s been almost five years since I quit smoking and I vow never to smoke again. I suffered a lot. I wouldn’t say that I’ve recovered 100 per cent, but my condition has drastically improved.
“Now my focus is to just exercise regularly, drink lots of water and maintain a healthy diet,” he said.
