Constipation is one of the most common withdrawal symptoms associated with Long use of tobacco in any form, either smoking or chewing. Taking tobacco as first thing in the morning or before going to the washroom is associated with smooth bowel evacuation. Mostly this is psychological and rarely a physical dependency.
Washroom – has been the best hiding place, and you enjoyed your tobacco
peacefully here!
The Abdominal symptoms like constipation may also be related to the changes you are making in your routine since quitting tobacco.
Some of the causes to be noted are:
- Change in food – Change in diet pattern and type of food tends to be part of the quit plan. Frequency of food intake increase and also food is used as an alternative to cravings.
- Stress – Anxiety and stress related to quitting tobacco or routine work may manifest physically as abdominal symptoms.
- Physical Activity – For many there is likely to be change in physical activity one tends to become inactive, lethargic in the early days of quit journey. These may be contributor to the abdominal symptoms
- Medications – check the medicines you are taking some of the medicines might be having constipation as side effects. Some common medicines like painkillers (tramadol) has side effects of constipation. Varenicline used for quitting tobacco may cause nausea and constipation
These may trouble you initially but resolves very quickly in a few days.
The withdrawal symptoms needs to be noted and addressed, it may require behavioral intervention and many a times require medications for coping up with it as given below:
- Deep Breathing and Meditation may calm control your anxiety and stress.
- Light physical activity – walk, cycling etc helps
- Water intake as a routine. Water 2 glasses early morning and half an hour before food – keeps you hydrated avoids bloating and aids digestion and softens stools to ease motions. (Related Reading –
- Add fibres to your diet – fruits, vegetables etc
- Warm Lemon water with honey in the morning
- Jeera water as it has wonderful effects on your intestine
- Warm milk with haldi at night
- Medicines – Isabgol, Lactulose, Rarely pegylated glycol may be required
- Medicines to increase motility of intestine may be given when absolutely required
- Allopathic medicines like Proton pump inhibitors, digestive enzymes, liver enzymes may be required and to be taken under guidance and prescription of specialists.
The digestive imbalance can be taken care with proper intervention and make your journey to freedom from slavery of tobacco easy.
The ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Program incorporates all the above in the digitized protocol based intervention program designed by Mr. Rishabh Agrawal, Director and CEO, ICanCaRe.
ICanCaRe team of Certified tobacco Cessation Specialists and Quit Coaches work with you to make your journey smooth, easy, interesting and achievable.
ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres with its India’s first digital protocol based assessment process guide intervention as per requirements.
Do visit the ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres or register online by visiting our page or call ICanCaRe quitline 011-43077695.
