Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking

It is interesting that a person can smoke for years and just 20 minutes after quitting there are health benefits. Twenty minutes after quitting smoking your heart rate and blood pressure drops and 12 hours being smoke free the carbon monoxide level in the body decreases to that of a normal person. These health benefits of quitting smoking can mean a great deal for people who suffer from high blood pressure and other physical problems. Quitting smoking is one of the best things a smoker can do to improve the quality of their life.

Other health benefits of quitting smoking include improved lung function and circulation, 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting. Within 9 months shortness of breath and coughing decreases and your body is more capable of dealing with mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection. After only 1 year of not smoking the excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a person who smokes.

Long-term health benefits of quitting smoking include reducing your risk of a stroke due to smoking and being smoke free for 10 years drops the lung cancer rate to about half that of a smoker. The risk of developing other types of cancer is also decreased; mouth, esophagus, throat, bladder, cervix, and pancreas. After 15 years of not smoking the risk of coronary hearth disease is that of a nonsmoker.

Above discusses some of the short-term and long-term benefits of quitting smoking but don’t forget that by quitting smoking you can help stop:

• Stained teeth
• Bad breath
• Premature wrinkling of the skin
• Yellow fingers and fingernails
• Bad smelling hair and clothes
• Gum disease

Quitting smoking will also improve your sense of smell and taste. You will find yourself with more energy and feeling better about yourself. Have you ever consider the benefit of quitting smoking on your bank account? Not only is smoking a disgusting habit it is expensive. For whatever reason you decide to quit smoking the end result is worth it. Get started improving the quality of your life and those around you.

Additional Benefits of Quitting Smoking

"12 hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide (a gas that can be toxic) in your blood drops to normal."

There are many benefits to quitting smoking. First and foremost when you quit smoking you will decrease your risk of serious smoking related illnesses and diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, and cancer. Your family will be healthier as well, they won't be around your smoke and smell it on your clothes and in your car. For women who are pregnant you won't only be improving your health but the health of your unborn child. Your chances of having the baby early or having a baby with a low birth weight are greatly reduced when you quit smoking during pregnancy.

Short-term benefits of quitting smoking include: Your blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature will return to normal and your body starts to heal itself. The carbon monoxide and oxygen levels in your blood will return to normal. Your chances of having a serious heart attack decreases by almost half.

Your nerve ending start to re-grow and your ability to taste and smell will improve. Your breathing will become easier as your breathing passages relax and your lung capacity increases. Walking becomes easier as your circulation improves and your lungs heal. Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath will decrease. Your overall energy will increase.

Long-term benefits of quitting smoking include: After you quit smoking you won't have to ever worry about leaving your your work place, a friends home, or a restaurant to have a cigarette. Over time your fingers will lose that yellow tinge to them and your skin will have less wrinkles. Your chances of dying from lung cancer is less than it would be if you did not quit smoking. Your chances of getting cancer of the throat, bladder, kidney, or pancreas will also decrease.

"15 years after quitting, your risk of heart disease is now the same as someone who doesn't smoke."

Nearly 80 percent of those who quit smoking gain weight. The average weight gain after quitting smoking is just five pounds. But keep in mind that 56 percent of people who continue to smoke will gain weight too. The bottom line: The health benefits of quitting smoking far out weigh any risks from the average weight gain that may follow quitting smoking.

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