Many people face significant challenges when trying to quit smoking. With a variety of products and methods available to support these people in their journey to quit, nicotine withdrawal devices are one of the available options. Follow us to learn more from the Dalili Medical website. Details in the following lines.

**Is nicotine withdrawal devices effective or just an illusion?**

There are many modern tools that help withdraw nicotine from the body, such as nicotine gum and nicotine patches, which can be used without the need to consult a doctor. However, these methods are not fully effective in quitting smoking, but rather are temporary solutions and do not contribute to cleansing the body of nicotine.

**Can nicotine be hidden from the blood?**

Nicotine can only be hidden from the blood by completely quitting smoking. As nicotine reaches the reward center in the brain and gives a feeling of comfort for up to 48 hours, making the body need a new dose. Therefore, the only way to remove nicotine from the blood is to stop smoking and cleanse the body of it. We must take into account that:

- Nicotine is the main ingredient in tobacco that causes addiction.
- Shortness of breath is one of the most prominent symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
- The nicotine withdrawal device is not effective, but it alleviates the severity of withdrawal symptoms, especially for long-term smokers.

**How ​​to cleanse the body of nicotine**
Cleansing the body of nicotine requires joining a detoxification program under the supervision of a doctor specializing in addiction treatment. The examination steps include the following:

1. Knowing the duration of smoking and the health condition of the smoker.
2. Conducting medical tests to determine the percentage of nicotine in the body.
3. Taking some medications that help speed up the exit of nicotine.

There are also some natural methods that contribute to cleansing the body of nicotine:

- **Drinking water**: Drinking water daily is one of the most effective ways to speed up the exit of nicotine from the body through urine.
- **Exercising**: Exercise helps get rid of nicotine derivatives through sweat.
- **Eat vegetables and fruits**: Foods rich in fiber and antioxidants help cleanse the body of nicotine and remove toxins.

**How ​​long does nicotine stay in the blood**

The duration of nicotine in the body ranges from 7 to 10 days after smoking the last cigarette, but this period varies from person to person based on several factors.

**Factors affecting the duration of nicotine in the body**

 

1. **Health status**: The better the health of the smoker, the easier it is for him to get rid of nicotine.

2. **Duration of use**: The shorter the period of nicotine use, the easier it is to get rid of its effects in the body, unlike smokers who use nicotine for long periods.

3. **Nicotine use with cannabis**: If a person uses cannabis with nicotine, it is necessary to join a detoxification program, as it will be difficult to cleanse the body of nicotine.

4. **Antibiotics**: Some antibiotics, such as phenobarbital, can help speed up the body's clearance of nicotine, while other medications may delay this process.

5. **Gender**: Women's sex hormones, such as estrogen, help metabolize nicotine more quickly than men.

**What is a nicotine withdrawal device?**

 

A nicotine withdrawal device is a device that helps gradually reduce the level of nicotine in the body by providing a small dose of it, which reduces the craving for nicotine and relieves the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. A nicotine withdrawal device is an effective way to help people quit smoking almost completely.

A nicotine withdrawal device is classified as a nicotine replacement, which provides low levels of nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoking.

There are two main types of nicotine withdrawal devices:

1. **Nicotine inhaler**: Also known as a nicotine inhaler, it is a device that looks like a plastic cigarette, and supplies the body with a small dose of nicotine through a vapor that is inhaled from a cartridge at the front of the device, where nicotine enters the bloodstream through the lining of the nose and mouth.

2. **Nicotine nasal spray**: It is a spray that contains a low-concentration nicotine solution, which is used through the nostrils, where the spray is absorbed by the lining of the nose.

The permissible dose of nicotine nasal spray ranges from one to two sprays in each nostril, once or twice an hour.

**Are there any side effects of cleaning nicotine from the body?**

 

The side effects resulting from cleaning the body from nicotine are withdrawal symptoms resulting from stopping use, including:

- Feeling nauseous.
- Vomiting and diarrhea.
- Headache.
- Increased appetite.

**Desire to smoke tobacco:**
- Feeling depressed and sad.
- Negative mood swings.
- Apathy and difficulty concentrating.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Anxiety and stress.

Tobacco addicts face more severe withdrawal symptoms, as a result of addiction to nicotine, which the body finds difficult to get rid of easily.

**Advantages of nicotine withdrawal devices:**

Nicotine withdrawal devices have several benefits, including:

- The ability to control sudden desires for nicotine.
- Relieving nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
- The ability to control the amount of nicotine consumed throughout the day.
- Keeping hands busy.
- Achieving quick results compared to other quitting methods.
- The ability to combine the nicotine withdrawal device with other quitting methods.

**Disadvantages of nicotine withdrawal devices:**
Like any other device, nicotine withdrawal devices have some disadvantages and side effects, including:

- Obtaining them requires a prescription.
- The need for repeated use throughout the day to control cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- MayCauses a range of side effects such as: irritation of the nose and throat, rhinitis, sneezing, coughing, tears, headache, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, and stomach upset.
- Not suitable for people with sinus diseases, nasal problems, or breathing difficulties, such as asthma.

**Nicotine replacements:**
Controlling cravings for nicotine is an essential part of the smoking cessation process. Therefore, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved five forms of nicotine replacement therapy, which are:

- Nicotine patch.
- Nicotine gum.
- Lozenges.
- Nicotine inhaler.
- Nasal spray containing nicotine.

These replacements work to provide a level of nicotine without exposure to tar, carbon monoxide, and other toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke, and they also help reduce withdrawal effects such as mood swings and cravings that may appear when quitting.

**Nicotine Alternatives: Patch:**
The patch is small in size, as it releases a constant and slow amount of nicotine into the body through the skin. It is placed on a hairless area of ​​skin between the waist and neck, such as the chest or arm.

**Advantages**
Its role is characterized by the following:

- Ease of use and the possibility of combining it with other methods.
- Available in various doses without the need for a prescription.
- Helps control the urgent desire to take nicotine and withdrawal symptoms for 24 hours at a time.

**Disadvantages**
The disadvantages of the nicotine patch include:

- The need to replace it every 24 hours.
- It may cause itching and a rash at the site of application.
- It may lead to insomnia.
- The inability to adjust the desired amount of nicotine quickly when withdrawal symptoms or a strong desire to smoke appear.

**Nicotine Alternatives: Gum**
Gum is a fast-acting form of nicotine alternatives, as nicotine is absorbed through the lining of the mouth.

**How ​​to use**

To be effective, follow these steps when chewing gum:

1. Chew the gum until you feel a stinging or tingling sensation in your mouth to release nicotine.

2. Keep the gum between your gum and the lining of your mouth to allow nicotine to be absorbed until the tingling sensation stops.

3. If you need more nicotine, chew it again and keep it.

4. Repeat the process for 30 minutes and then dispose of the gum.

It is important not to eat or drink for at least 15 minutes before and during use of the gum.

**Advantages**
Among the most prominent features of nicotine gum:

- It allows control of the amount of nicotine, which helps in managing sudden desires to obtain it.

- It can be used with other methods.
- It is available for purchase without a prescription in two concentrations: 2 mg and 4 mg.

**Disadvantages**
Among the disadvantages of nicotine gum:

- It may cause mouth irritation, ulcers, jaw inflammation, heartburn and nausea.
- May stick to braces.
- Requires frequent use.

**Nicotine replacement: Lozenges**
These lozenges contain a small amount of nicotine, are placed between the gums and the lining of the mouth and are slowly sucked until they dissolve, allowing the nicotine to enter the bloodstream.

**Advantages**
Include:

- Available without a prescription.
- Does not require chewing, which means they will not stick to braces.
- Can be used with other methods.
- Helps control nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

**Disadvantages**
Include:

- May cause mouth irritation, hiccups, heartburn and nausea.
- Requires frequent use to control nicotine cravings.

**Nicotine replacement: Nicotine inhaler**
A plastic tube that resembles a pen, releases nicotine immediately after inhalation, where it is absorbed through the lining of the throat and mouth into the bloodstream.

**Advantages**

- Can be combined with other methods.
- Allows you to control the dose of nicotine, which helps in managing sudden desires to obtain it.

**Disadvantages:**

- Requires a prescription to obtain the product.
- Not suitable for asthma patients.
- May cause irritation in the mouth and throat.
- Requires frequent use.

**Nicotine alternatives: Nasal spray**

 

The nasal spray works to deliver nicotine to the bloodstream quickly, where it is absorbed through the lining of the nose.

**Advantages:**

- Allows you to control the urgent desire to obtain nicotine by adjusting the dose.
- Its effect is faster compared to other products.
- Can be used with other means.

**Disadvantages:**

- Requires a prescription.
- Not suitable for sinus patients or any nasal problems.
- May cause irritation in the nose and throat, in addition to rhinitis and sneezing.
- Requires frequent use.