It can be a difficult thing to quit smoking, which can be an unpleasant process. For some, it's hard to find motivation unless there is an immediate problem to be solved, but the problem with smoking is that immediate problem is often a serious disease. Early signs you should stop smoking are sometimes subtle, but if you look for them, you'll know when your smoking habit is becoming a true problem. By watching for these signs you should stop smoking, you can give yourself a chance to kick your habit before it becomes too late.

Breathing Problems

One of the clearest warning signs you should stop smoking is a persistent cough. It can come in the form of frequent colds, in or out of the wintertime. A heavy cough can be signs of chronic bronchitis, as well as a precursor to lung cancer. Also, if you're asthmatic and smoke, you may start to notice that your asthma is getting worse, which is also a result of smoking.

One sign you should stop smoking, that of shortness of breath, is an indicator that you may be suffering from emphysema, which effectively reduces the amount of oxygen your lungs can get to your body. This particular symptom can be particularly subtle, since it can sometimes be mistaken for simply being out of shape. However, it's important that if you're noticing any problems breathing, you need to take it as a sign to stop smoking.

Other Irritation

Another sign you should stop smoking is frequent sore throats. Cigarette smoke can irritate the lining of your throat, which results in soreness. Similarly, it also irritates and damages cilia, tiny hairs that line your air passages on the way to the lungs. These cilia keep various particles from getting in your lungs and damaging them, and by damaging them, you're contributing to lung disease.

Similarly, if you have an increase in stomach problems, that is also a clear sign you should stop smoking. Smoking increases the acid production in your stomach, which can have negative effects in the form of ulcers and acid reflux, which is more commonly known as heartburn. These problems can lead to discomfort before and after eating, and in some cases, also lead to increased risk of stomach cancers. If you are having this, or any other signs you should stop smoking, or if you're just concerned about your health in general, talk things over with supportive friends or family, as well as your physician, and come up with a plan to quit, for the sake of your health.