Facebook Pixel
Q: 

How long does it take for your body to heal/recover after smoking cigarettes?

By February 13, 2009 - 2:19pm
 
Rate This

I quit smoking nearly 10 years ago after nearly 20 years of smoking almost a pack a day.

I read somewhere that it takes the body a very long time to "heal" itself after all that poison in the system which is a bit disappointing after all the work it takes to quit.

does anyone know if the body ever really recovers from a 20 year smoking habit? I was under 35 when I quit.

thank you

Add a Comment153 Comments

Hello its really great decision to quite smoking .I smoked for over 4 years my age now 25 but my face looks that of 35-40 its due to smoking now its been 4 day since I have quite smoking .I feel discomfort high blood pressure head ache insomnia night mares pain in the chest so as lungs my eyes feels like they are stretching but its due to with drawl of nicotine . I keep myself hydrated all the time by drinking 20 glasses of water and 5 glasses of lemon juice daily with green tea .it will take almost 10 years for your body to heal completely as before smoking it was my advise to u is do not use medication simply drink & eat a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables it will help u recover ur loss taking low doss aspirin is also good one/day it will prevent blood clots but do not use over medications
Treatment I do is now :-
1.Drink 20 glass of water daily
2.5 glass of lemon juice daily
3.4cup of green tea daily after meal
4.do cycling for 1 hr daily which boosts my blood flow
Note: After u quit smoking never take sleeping pills for sleeping it is due to the nicotine with drawl u feel changing habits in sleeping doing it so may result in stroke !!
U can take muscle relaxants once/day for comfort as it have no adverse effects after u quit smoking
The above prescription is working good for me
Thanks

June 6, 2017 - 8:38am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I'm asking in behalf of my husband of 38 years. He is 79 and smoked for 65 years and so far is 60 days smokefree. He has expierenced vivid nightmares, insomnia, pneumonia and a very COPD attack which put him in the ER. He feels strange and not himself. He has been given a daily inhaler for COPD, but can anyone share if these withdrawal symptoms will ever subside. Now he is also expienceing dizziness. Please help!!!

March 20, 2017 - 10:42pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I went to the hospital on the 17 about 2:30 in the morning, due to copd don't want to smoke anymore it's been 5 days know, smoked for 40 years but the panic attacks is were I am having trouble. How long will it take to get through the panic attacks.

November 21, 2016 - 2:43pm

Great decision, yes of course, you can beat smoking habits. In starting days, you will feel some difficulties such as headache, discomfort, etc. So, be careful and take advice from your nearest doctor.

May 16, 2016 - 4:30am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I smoked for 40 years. The last 20 I cut to less than half pack then quarter pack, sometimes only a couple. I stopped lots of times. Last time I stopped in October. I always thought that once I smoked in moderation all was ok. I was in good health. On Thanksgiving, massive heart attack, widow maker. I was lucky, a stent, no damage and a fresh chance. Doc said I did everything right except smoking. I feel great now. No cigarettes for four months, running in cardiac rehab. Quit and stay quit. It's never too late

February 17, 2016 - 7:29pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Welcome everyone! I recalled that year about this time when I joyed this forum. Good news I too quit after smoking for 30+ years now at age of 51. I will never go back to starting smoking. Prayer changes things and that is what it took for me to stop. Blessing to all and good luck! You have the power to quit!

October 16, 2015 - 8:09am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi TO All ...!!!
As me and my friend has decided to quit smoking today. We were smoking about 4 years . When we saw the pics on the internet and the side affects of cigarettes we were shocked and decided to stop it as it would be better for us .

So , it is Our appeal to others smokers to Quit it today by breaking all the cigarettes and throwing the lighter and match box from their pockets. it is only to way to ending this habit.
Many Thanks and ENJOY YOUR SMOKING FREE LIFE.
IMRAN AND SALMAN
FROM PAKISTAN.

October 16, 2015 - 7:16am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hello!
I have been smoking for 15 months, about 10 cigarettes per day. I am only 16 years old and I'm quitting today. How long will it take for my lungs to recover?

June 29, 2015 - 7:13am
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

You have taken the first important step. Stick with it.

Here is the link to a timeline slide show, "What Happens When You Quit Smoking"
http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/quit-smoking-timeline#1

Maryann

June 29, 2015 - 8:43am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Maryann Gromisch RN)

i smoked for 25 yrs and i am a non smoker as of jan1st 2016 for 5 months i quit cod turkey woke up one day and told myself im tired of not be able to breath i just hope my brain chemicals will in time repair and start to heal my name is cynthia coyne i live in california

December 18, 2015 - 10:39pm
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment

All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.

Addictions

Get Email Updates

Addictions Guide

Have a question? We're here to help. Ask the Community.

ASK

Health Newsletter

Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free!