What happens in our body within the first 24 hours after you quit smoking, 2 weeks later, in the 1st, 5th, and 10th year?
What happens after you quit smoking? How does smoking addiction begin?
Each cigarette contains more than 4,000 chemicals that are toxic, irritating, cancer-causing or facilitating the appearance of cancer for the body. At least 81 of them have been proven to cause cancer directly.
What happens in the body after you quit smoking?
First 24 hours:
In the 20th minute, pulse, blood pressure and body temperature return to normal. In the 24th hour, carbon monoxide gas in the blood decreases rapidly.
After 2 weeks – 3 months:
– Your effort capacity increases.
– Decreases if there is a cough, disappears within 3 months.
– If there is phlegm, it is reduced by half in 2 weeks.
– It is easier to breathe.
– Your sense of smell and taste improves.
In year 1:
– Your risk of having a heart attack begins to decrease from the first days, at the end of a year the risk is reduced by 50 percent.
– The risk of brain hemorrhage and vascular disease (Buerger’ in the legs) is reduced by 30-50 percent.
– Lung diseases that can lead to respiratory failure, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), are prevented from occurring and stop progressing, if any.
In year 5:
– The risk of mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder cancer is reduced by half
In the 10th year:
– Your risk of paralysis is reduced to the same level as those who have never smoked in 5-10 years.
– Lung cancer, mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreatic cancer risk continues to decrease.
In the 15th year:
-The risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack is the same as those who have never smoked.
35 percent of men and 15 percent of women die from “smoking”
Nicotine is the substance that makes people addicted to cigarettes. Nicotine has negative effects on our body that accelerate heart rate, raise blood pressure and increase the risk of blood clotting. Smoking is the cause of 35 percent of all cancer-related deaths in men and 15 percent in women. Smoking is the cause of 90 percent of lung cancer-related deaths.
How Does Addiction to Smoking Occur?
Nicotine is a very powerful psychological stimulant agent. One in three people who try smoking for the first time become addicted to a single cigarette. Nicotine, which is absorbed from the cheek in an average of 10 seconds when smoking, reaches the brain and causes changes such as hormonal releases, pleasure, relaxation, calming, increased concentration, which occurs with the arouse of the center, which allows the secretion of hormones such as serotonin.
In order for these changes to continue, your body begins to want more nicotine, which in this case leads to an increase in the amount of cigarettes smoked. The reason is the development of tolerance in the body against the effects of nicotine. This means:
As the amount of nicotine in the body increases, its effect decreases, the amount of nicotine needs to increase further to ensure the continuation of changes such as reward. Now our body wants to take this substance when it is not necessary.
When we do not do this behavior, the feelings we feel such as irritability, tension, concentration disorder, appetite increase, depression, etc. have become a medical disorder that we can control with our will. If the person wants to quit smoking and is struggling on their own, they can contact a specialist and benefit from proven medical treatment methods.
What happens when you quit smoking?
After you smoke your last cigarette, your body begins to change. Here are just a few of the benefits of quitting smoking:
- Your blood pressure goes back to normal.
The nicotine in cigarettes can cause your pulse and blood pressure to rise, increasing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. But within as little as 20 minutes after smoking your last cigarette, your blood pressure begins to normalize. - You can breathe easier.
Within just 8 hours of quitting smoking, your body’s oxygen levels will increase and your lung function will begin to improve. As your lungs begin to heal, you may feel less short of breath, cough less and find it easier to breathe in the coming weeks and months after you quit.
Your risk of developing cancer decreases. - Your risk of developing cancer decreases.
After you take that final puff, your risk of developing lung cancer is cut in half. Your risk for developing esophageal, bladder and pancreatic cancers decreases, too. - Your skin, hair and nails look better.
Smoking stains your teeth and nails with an unsightly yellow film. It can also dull your skin and make your hair brittle. Quitting improves blood flow, making your skin look more radiant and your smile look brighter. - You lower your risk of developing heart disease.
When you stop smoking, you’re helping your heart. Within eight weeks of quitting, your cholesterol levels improve. After a year of not smoking, your risk of heart disease is cut in half. After 15 years nicotine-free, your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack are the same as someone who has never smoked.
No matter if you’re a new smoker or have been smoking for years, it’s never too late to quit.
How to quit smoking
The thought of quitting smoking can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Before you quit, make a plan. Contrary to popular belief, studies have found that quitting cold turkey is not the most effective route.
Instead, go slow. Start by talking to your doctor. They can point you in the direction of free resources available to quit and help you build a plan to stop smoking for good.
Other steps you can take to quit smoking include:
- Throwing out your ash trays, cigarettes and lighters: Doing this can help you avoid temptation. You can also go one step further and ask friends and family members not to smoke around you.
- Replace your craving: When cravings strike, chew gum, drink water or go for a walk. Getting your mind off cravings can help you move past them.
- Join a smoking cessation support group: Build a support network of folks who are all trying to quit smoking, too. These support groups can boost your confidence and help you see you aren’t alone in quitting. If you can’t find a local support group, you can find virtual support groups online (some which even correspond through text messaging).
- Use nicotine replacement therapies: There are many devices available for purchase (including nicotine patches, gum and inhalers) to help step you down from nicotine gently.
- Try medication: If you need extra support to quit, your doctor may recommend prescription medications that can help.
- Sign up for health coaching: A health coach can help you work through the physical and emotional effects of quitting smoking with personalized sessions.
- Most importantly, don’t give up: You may have a few stops and starts along the way, especially if you’ve smoked for a long time. That’s okay. Be gentle with yourself and keep trying until you’re ready to quit.