Help please

[Tayschw10]

I'm 18 and I occasionally smoke cigarettes. 1-2 every so often. Yesterday I smoked half a cigarette and this morning I woke up with a scratchy throat, then progressively throughout the day I started to have an increase in my heart rate and some agitation in my chest. I'm very worried but I'm not sure if I should see a doctor or if my symptoms seem worse because I'm stressing over them. Should I see my doctor? Should I be worried?

[Secretsmokerbabe17]

Hello  quit smoking while you can because it sounds like with a scratchy throat and everthing your having a abnormal reaction to nicotine/ciggs in general !  Use will power and remember your stronger than some chemical infused stick ..go cook and medititate daily ! Zzzz  cya

[Joe62644]

18, I remember when.... Now I am 50yrs and I've been smoking for 34+yrs and I can't figure out how to quit. My wife smokes and has no intention of quitting, which only compounds the problem. I'd tried quitting on several occasions. I'm here to tell you QUIT while you can, it only gets harder and harder over the years. If you don't get hit by a bus or some such, smoking will kill you in any one of a myriad of ways. I hope your problem isn't serious and has only jolted you out of your seat. I wish I'd been many years ago.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry, but yes, nicotine in smoking causes palpitations and heart disease along with atherosclerosis. Also, 18 years is too young an age to start dabbling in smoking. When you smoke on and off, you can suffer from nicotine withdrawal. This can also cause similar symptoms along with upper respiratory tract symptoms like scratchy throat and cough. Please consult your doctor regarding this. Hope this helps. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.