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The
Benefits of Quitting Smoking
So, you've been smoking
for years and you feel it's too late to quit, the damage has already
been done or you won't get sick from smoking. The truth is that
these are myths that prevent people from giving up smoking and
making a positive change in their lives.
When you quit smoking
your body immediately benefits. Within 20 minutes of the
last cigarette, both your blood pressure and pulse rate drop to
normal levels. Within eight hours the carbon monoxide level
in your blood drops and the oxygen level increases.
After two days
of not smoking, your ability to smell and taste are enhanced.
After three days
of quitting, your bronchial tubes relax. If the tubes are undamaged
you will find it easier to breathe and your lung capacity will
increase.
Between two weeks
to three months your circulation will improve, walking and
breathing becomes easier and your lung function may increase up
to 20 percent.
At one to nine
months the coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness
of breath you may have experienced will decrease over a number
of weeks. The cilia will regrow in your lungs, increasing your
body's ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection.
Within one year
of quitting, your body's overall energy level increases and your
skin may take on a healthy glow. Risk of heart disease attributable
to smoking declines by approximately 50 percent.
After five years
of quitting, the death rate from lung cancer for you (if you smoked
one pack a day) decreases from 137 per 100,000 to 72 per 100,000
people.
After 10 years
of quitting, pre-cancerous cells are replaced and cancers such
as mouth, larynx, oesophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decrease.
(There are 50 chemicals in tobacco smoke that cause cancer.)
Quitting smoking
can be very rewarding physically and mentally because you have
the power to take control of your health and feel good about yourself.
If you need help, contact your local Health Unit.
(Adapted
from material produced by the Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit.)
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