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
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"How Quickly Do the Benefits of Quitting Start?"
* "Just 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your blood pressure and
pulse rate drop to normal and the body temperature of your hands and
feet increases to normal."
* "A mere 8 hours after your last smoke, the carbon monoxide level
decreases and the oxygen level in your blood increases to normal."
* "Just 24 hours after your last cigarette, you substantially lessen
your chances of having a heart attack."
* "Two days after your last cigarette, you will notice that your
ability to taste and smell is enhanced."
* "Three days later, your breathing should be noticeably better
because your lung capacity will be greater."
* "Your circulation will improve and your lung functioning will
increase up to 30% within two weeks to three months after quitting."
* "Between one month and nine months, the cilia in your lungs will
regenerate, allowing your body to clean your lungs and reduce
infection."
* "One year after quitting, your risk of coronary heart disease is
half that of a smoker."
* "Five years after quitting, your risk of stroke is reduced to that
of a nonsmoker."
* "Ten years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate is about half
that of a continuing smokers. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat,
esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases."
* "Fifteen years after quitting, your risk of coronary heart disease
is that of a nonsmokers.
(U.S. Surgeon General's Reports (1988, 1990)
October 31, 2011 - 3:07pmThis Comment
Don't listen to that doctor. Within 1 year all function of your lungs should return to normal and regrow cilia(hairlike fibers). If you have quit 10 to 15 years. You are as close to 100% cured than the nonsmoker is. Your risk for heart attacks and cancer is normal as a non- smokers. You are fine. Yes, it is better to quit by 35(good choice). I always said that myself,but found myself going back smoking. Electronic cigarettes may be the next way. Smoking through water bongs may be a lung saver. If I just had 10,000 pieces of nicoderm gum for like $50, I would be quit for sure.
June 2, 2011 - 8:31pmThis Comment
Hi there, I gave up the smokes and the one thing that got me through it was the electric cigarette :) I found after awhile i was fine without it :) I would recommend it to anyone Best of luck x Chrissy
September 19, 2012 - 10:00amThis Comment