ask: How long does it take for your body to heal/recover after smoking cigarettes?
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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I had always thought that after 10 years or so of not smoking, the lungs would recover 100%, however I was recently listening to a radio programme about this very subject and supposedly the lungs, 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.
February 13, 2009 - 4:13pmI was most disappointed at this news myself. I quit smoking after a 12 year or so habit and thought that I would regain my "virgin" lungs!
It is certainly better to quit than to continue though!
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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 - 8:31pm"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 - 3:07pmhttp://ezinearticles.com/?Quit-Smoking-Effects---A-Timeline-of-What-to-E...
I found this timeline so you can see what to expect after the years pass as a non smoker. It's great to see that chances of stroke and lung cancer decrease dramatically!
February 13, 2009 - 4:45pmThanks for your post. This really help me!
May 15, 2010 - 10:28pmWho is the person who wrote this, i don't see any medical qualifications in relation to the person who wrote it????
February 6, 2012 - 2:17pmThat's a really interesting link, thks. It looks like much of the body can return to normal even if the lungs are never quite the same.
pity cigarettes are so addictive but at least I stopped in time :)
February 14, 2009 - 1:41pmGreat site, thank you for the information. I am quitting smoking very soon. I have a 21 year history of smoking already and it is certainly time for me to quit. Actually, I go to my physician in two days in order to obtain Chantix. I was supposed to quit earlier in the year but there was a problem with my insurance that caused the delay.
I cannot wait to join you in the non-smoking world. I applaud your desire and years without smoking. I have tried several times, unsuccessfully, to stop and this is certainly an aspiration of mine. Do you have any suggestions on how you were able to remain smoke free for so long? Did you have any bad days? How did you overcome the addiction?
February 14, 2009 - 1:47pmCongratulations! I, too, am taking Chantix right now. I have a 19 year habit and I am two weeks into the "clean" zone. If you need to chat with someone who is walking the same path, let me know. Chantix is AMAZING. I think you'll agree!! My best.
April 10, 2009 - 12:26pmCongratulations to all of you! I too am on Chantix. Outstanding drug, right? I have a 11 year or so habit and at 27 I figured there was still time to safe my life. I have 9 days completely smoke free. You need very little willpower on this drug...well, at least for me. Good luck on your journey.
January 13, 2010 - 10:17am