Everyone knows that quitting smoking is good for your
health. But did you know the health benefits of quitting start within minutes of having that last
cigarette? The lists below break down the benefits experienced during the minutes,
days, and years after you quit smoking.
20 minutes after you quit, your:
- Blood pressure drops to normal.
- Pulse rate drops to normal.
- Body temperature of hands and feet returns to
normal.
Eight hours after you quit, the:
- Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to
normal.
- Oxygen level in your blood increases to normal.
24 hours after you quit, your
chance of heart attack decreases.
48 hours after you quit, your:
- Nerve endings start re-growing.
- Ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
Between two to 12 weeks after you quit:
- Your circulation improves.
- Walking becomes easier.
- Your lung function increases up to 30%.
Between one to nine months after you quit:
- Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and
shortness of breath decrease.
- Cilia regrow in your lungs, increasing your ability
to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection.
- Your body’s overall energy level increases.
One year after you quit, your
excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
10 years after you quit, your:
- Risk of lung cancer death decreases by almost
half for former one-pack-per day smokers.
- Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker.
- Risk of cancer to the mouth, throat, and
esophagus is half that of a smoker.
15 years after you quit, your:
- Lung cancer rate is similar to non-smokers.
- Precancerous cells are replaced.
- Risk of cancer to the mouth, throat, esophagus,
bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.
- Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker.
Quitting smoking is one of the
number-one things you can do to improve your overall wellness. However,
research indicates that quitting “cold turkey” is only successful for
approximately 2% of people. Though the process of quitting can be daunting, the
good news is that there is more help available to assist you than ever before.
The current recommendations for
tobacco treatment include utilizing some form of Nicotine Replacement Therapy
(NRT), such as gum, lozenges, or nasal spray, in conjunction with medication
and counseling. New NRTs and medications are designed to help with many withdrawal
symptoms, cravings, and even weight gain. With this type of treatment program,
the success rate for quitting goes as high as 42%!
For help quitting, contact the Mid
Coast Hospital Tobacco Treatment Program at (207) 373-6585, call the
Maine Tobacco HelpLine at 1-800-207-1230, or sign up online for free counseling and NRTs
available to Maine residents.
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