Lung Health after Smoking Cessation

Millions of people quit smoking every year, and lung health after smoking cessation has become a prominent theme among healthcare professionals. About 47 percent of smokers attempt to quit annually.  This is not surprising given that the number one cause of preventable death in the worldwide is smoking. Over 400,000 people die every year from smoking, and an additional 50,000 people die from secondhand smoke as well. A lifetime of smoking can also lead to a variety of lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease. Unfortunately, smoking cessation is the beginning of a long road, but the destination is a much healthier and happier place.

Lung Health after Smoking Cessation

The human body is constantly fighting for a state of equilibrium. That is why our body fights infection and heals itself when we are injured. When smoke is introduced into the lungs, the body fights back. When smoke leaves the lungs, they start to heal immediately. Although the response is quick, the progress is incremental when it comes to lung improvement:

• First day – Your blood pressure will drop along with your heart rate. Carbon monoxide levels will also drop to the body’s normal levels.
• First month – Your lungs will become more efficient in the ability to process oxygen, causing your circulation to improve.
• First 9 months – The cilia in your lungs start to function properly again reducing the risk of lung infection. Also, coughing and shortness of breath should vastly decrease.
• Ten years later – Your risk of lung, mouth, throat, bladder, kidney and pancreas cancer drop dramatically.

Permanent damage is caused by smoking, and though you benefit immediately from quitting,  quitting does not completely erase the risk of developing a lung-related disease.

Read more on Lung Institute.