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

By Bargain Lover February 13, 2009 - 2:19pm
 
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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 Comment104 Comments

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Anonymous

I am not sure where you're getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent information I was looking for this information for my mission.

February 26, 2013 - 5:26am
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Anonymous

I quit smoking by reading a book, I read it 5 times!...but it worked. I smoked for 42 years. I quit with absolutely no withdrawals. It worked. I've been free for 4 months and still going strong

January 30, 2013 - 10:42pm
Susan Cody HERWriter Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hi Anon

What's the book? Maybe it can help others!

Best,

Susan

February 1, 2013 - 2:00pm
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Anonymous

I was a smoker for 35 years....got up to 2 packs a day and chain smoked like a freight train. I've been quit now for 12 weeks. Always told myself that I "couldn't"...or that I would try. Well what finally worked for me was wanting to go out with a very lovely lady who didn't smoke and telling myself that she wouldn't want to go out with anyone who did. I quit by using the patch and the lozenges for those tough "need now" spots. I feel better than I have in a very long time. I can breath again without my lungs feeling like they have a "band" around them. I know in time that things will only get better and that I will never go back to lighting up. Do I want one? You bet!! But it is alot easier now to tell myself "NO!!!!". In fact.....it is very easy. I never got the irritable feeling at all like I thought I would. And yes, we have been going out now for 6 weeks and so far, everyhing is perfect!!!!

December 18, 2012 - 2:20pm
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Anonymous

though they do heal somewhat, never return to a perfect state as if you had never smoked. This doctor explained that the lungs are not like the liver which can recover from a very bad state. Basically when you stop smoking, you stop further damage.

December 13, 2012 - 4:12am
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Anonymous

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.

December 11, 2012 - 4:33am
MaryDeb

well smoking is bad for the person who is smoking but it is even harmful for the passive smokers. So it is bad for you as well as your family members and close friends.

November 28, 2012 - 2:54am
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Anonymous

I've smoked for about 17 years. I've tried chantix, nicotine gum, e cigarettes, patches, etc. etc. Today I've been one week without a smoke. Yes this is a very small victory but belive it or not I've never gotten this far in 17 years. My secret, Grace. My unborn little girl. She will be here November 17th and when she looks at me for the first time I think she'll be proud.

September 16, 2012 - 6:41am
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Anonymous

I am taking champix and it has not only helped me not smoke for 3 weeks after an 18 year habit it has also helped me not feel like gambling. I take it with food because I have to fight not vomiting if I take it on an empty stomach. I am calmer which helps me spend more quality time with my family

June 30, 2012 - 5:21pm
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Anonymous

Alveoli are tiny sacs in the lungs that perform gas exchange. That is the main process of respiration where the body gets rid of carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen which is used in metabolism.
They have supply of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood surrounding their surface giving them a high blood supply. They also have thin walls and a moist surface. This is all required for them to work correctly. It's my understanding that they are the only part on a human body that I am aware of that does not heal itself... AT ALL, if damaged from say smoking. So while yes your lungs will feel clearer from not smoking... And you might even be able to take deeper, longer breaths. But due to the damage caused to Alveoli from smoking, No matter how much you breath in... Your still only going to absorb the same amount of oxygen into your blood stream. So really the sooner someone quits smoking... The less permanent damage is done. Not to discourage anyone. Because when you stop smoking every other part of your body does heal. Which can even be broken down to someone's immune system from infections or viruses. (Better, cleaner body... better immune system )

June 19, 2012 - 1:31am
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