Benefits of Quitting Smoking

By: Jamie Emerson
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Cancer
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February 1, 2022
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5 Min read

breaking-cigarette-in-half-quitting-smoking

The damaging effects of tobacco from smoking cigarettes can negatively impact almost every part of the human body. Despite knowing how destructive this habit is, it can still be hard to quit smoking, especially during periods of stress or uncertainty. There are so many health benefits that come from quitting cigarette smoking that it is worth the short-term discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. Within minutes of smoking that last cigarette, the body begins to heal and recover. The following are just some of the amazing benefits of quitting smoking.

Lowers Cancer Risks

The potential to develop cancer is huge for those who choose to smoke cigarettes. Smokers are not only more susceptible to developing lung cancer, but they are also at a greater risk for twelve different cancers including pancreas, liver, colon, stomach, cervix, rectum, and more.

These cancers greatly increase the risk of premature death and also affect the health of survivors for the rest of their lives. Quitting smoking is one of the most critical actions one can take to reduce the risk for cancer.

Improved Circulation and Reduced Risk of Heart Attacks

Nicotine is not only the most addictive chemical in cigarettes, it also causes blood vessels in the body to narrow and the vessel walls to weaken. The result is a limited amount of blood that can pass through these blood vessels, causing the vessels to stiffen. It also makes it easier for plaque to adhere to the walls of blood vessels resulting in blocked arteries and poor circulation. Eventually, blood vessels can become fully blocked, possibly resulting in a heart attack or stroke. Additionally, a lower extremity blood vessel blockage can be so severe that the lower leg and foot receive inadequate circulation such that amputation is required. The only way to reduce these risks is to quit smoking. It takes only a few months after quitting for circulation to improve significantly.

Less Coughing, Lung, and Throat Pain

Smoking cigarettes results in the inhalation of many chemicals into the body. This causes a “wet cough” to develop to try and clear the chemicals from the membranes of the mouth, throat, and lungs. Over time, the tiny hair-like cilia that line our airways lose their ability to help push foreign substances out of the lungs which only makes the coughing worse. Too much coughing further irritates the lungs and throat, leaving smokers with daily pain. Quitting smoking stops the flow of chemicals into the body. The cilia have time to heal and the compulsion to cough reduces until it ceases completely.

Decreased Lung Disease and COPD Risk

Smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This term is used to describe a group of diseases that result in severe breathing and airflow problems, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking destroys tiny air sacs in the lungs while also leading to thickened, inflamed airways and increased mucus production, which blocks normal airflow. Early symptoms of COPD may be slight shortness of breath, wheezing, a tightness in the chest, or a persistent cough. Ultimately, many people that develop COPD from smoking damage their lungs so badly that they end up needing daily oxygen to survive. A huge benefit to quitting smoking is preventing the development of COPD. While some damage may never fully heal, it only takes a few months after quitting for lung function to start increasing again.

These are only a few of the many different diseases that are caused by smoking. Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps one can take to reduce the risk of premature death and to start living a healthy life. There are numerous online resources, services, and health care providers to help smokers who want to stop smoking. Don’t wait another second! Today is the best day to quit.