I gave up smoking 2 weeks ago, i am 52 and have smoked for 30 yrs is it possible to undo all damage done?

Question

I have kept myself quite fit and eaten healthy foods, is it possible that any health proffesionals can answer and tell me that some how i can undo any damamge that i have done

Answer 1

My father-in-Law gave up smoking aged 71. He started when just a nipper of 9.

At the time he gave up smoking his health was in such a poor state that we thought he would not last much longer.

He is now 93 and still going strong.

Is it worth it...Yes!

Will you undo the damage done is a question that no health professional would give you a direct answer to.

Now that you have given up and as you are quite fit this will be a good indicator. Continue to exercise and clock your times and you will soon see the difference.

Well Done.

The health benefits of stopping smoking start almost immediately:

After...

20 minutes: Blood pressure and pulse return to normal

8 hours: Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood are halved, oxygen levels in the blood return to normal

24 hours: Carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body and the lungs start to clear out the build up of tar

48 hours: There is no nicotine left in the body. Taste and smell are greatly improved

72 hours: Breathing becomes easier, bronchial tubes begin to relax, energy levels increase

2 - 12 weeks: Circulation improves, making walking and running a lot easier

3 - 9 months: Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as the lungs have room for up to 10% more oxygen

1 year: Risk of heart attack is halved

10 years: Risk of lung cancer is halved

10 years: Risk of heart attack is at the same level as non-smokers

Medium to long-term: Risk of developing lung cancer, other cancers, heart attack, stroke and chronic lung disease is reduced - the sooner you stop smoking, the sooner your risk starts going down

Medium to long-term: Stopping smoking at any age increases your life expectancy, provided that you stop before the onset of serious disease. Even if you have developed a disease, you can benefit from stopping as your body will be under less strain and be able to fight it more easily

Medium to long-term: A smoker who has suffered from a heart attack can halve the risk of a second heart attack by stopping smoking

Medium to long-term: Ten years after quitting smoking an ex-smoker's risk of lung cancer is reduced by 30 - 50% compared with that of a continuing smoker

Medium to long-term: Smokers who stop before the age of 35 have a life expectancy not significantly different from that of a non-smoker

Medium to long-term: Smokers who give up smoking between 65 and 74 years of age have a better life expectancy beyond 75 than those who continue to smoke

For life:
Reduce stress
Any physical activity is easier
Don't tire as quickly
Improve sense of taste and smell
Improved skin

Answer 2

I also gave up smoking 2 weeks ago(tommorow) and I smoked 25 a day for 30 years.I am 46 and i beleive it will take 10 years to have the same lung health as a non smoker however with everyday there are benefits.We now have no carbon monoxide in our blood so our oxygen levels are much better.This means better skin and hair and healthier tissues.We will decrease our chances of heart attacks and strokes almost immediatley alongside some cancers.Obviousley the amount of tar in our lungs and consequent damage will take a lot longer but it has got to be worth it has'nt it?I was dreading a painful agonising premature death from a smoke related disease and know i have hope.I just wish i had never started smoking in the first place as giving up is very hard.We have just achieved the single best thing we can ever do for our health and a balanced diet and moderate excercise will have us fit as fiddles in no time.Keep up giving up.

Answer 3

I have read that our bodies will heal to a certain point what damage we have done while smoking. Our lungs will clear up some and we will start to breath better and maybe even get rid of most of the cough. But, there is no going totally back to health before we caused the damage. Besides our bodies break down everyday no matter how healthy we are. That is part of life.

Answer 4

First off, congratulations on stopping smoking after so long. I can imagine it's taken some serious willpower to do that!!

Your lungs begin to rebuild themselves immediately after you stop smoking. It is a slow process, but it is happening. You can't undo any damage you've done, but you can prevent new damage from occurring, mainly by staying away from cigarettes AND cigarette smoke.

Get to the doctor and have a physical, tell him what you've done and ask him if he has any suggestions as far as diet and exercise.

Good for you. I hope you can stay smoke free.

Answer 5

Your body is already undoing damage done by smoking at a very fast rate. The rest is somewhat unknown however eating well and excercising reguarly will help a great deal. The most successful way to quit is cold turkey. People who use that method tend to stay smoke free longer than people who use the patch and other like methods. Good Luck.

Answer 6

I'm not a health pro, but I do know that the effects of tobacco dissipate. The thing is that your lungs need to be left alone so that they are not irritated with tobacco smoke long enough for your body to break down all the gunk inside. Will you be back to 100%? I'm not sure. I do know that my parents quit smoking in their 30's. My dad is 67 years old and does not even show it. And he used to be a 1 1/2 packs a day smoker!

just keep up the good habits, and hopefully all will be well. Exercise helps, since that will quicken your heart rate and breathing and help you break up the black mucus inside your lungs. Of course, eating a sensible low-fat low-sodium high-fiber diet helps!

Answer 7

Well done! Yes, there will be a lot of clearing of your lungs and other withdrawal symptoms. I was lucky when I stopped, I could not breath too much smoke in because I felt ill, so it's all down to the amount of tar and other chemicals ingested. Don't smoke another and you will be rewarded with improved health. I think the damage will be reversible given time.

Answer 8

By stopping smoking you undoing the damage already. Its hard going for the first few months but keep up the good work. I stopped 7 months ago and can only say good luck and keep at it. The best thing you have done for yourself.

Answer 9

well done for giving up. my husband gave up nearly 4 years ago he found it tough but kept on. now he doesn't need his inhaler for asthma and is very rarely. you should see a benefit in your health and your wallet.you cant undo any damage if any as been done but you can help it by not smoking. good luck and keep up the good work.

Answer 10

You will have noticed by now that you can taste your food better and have a better sense of smell. The affects will never go completely. But in 10 years your lungs will have recovered a lot and it will be worth it. Try writing in your diary every week how much money your have saved and in a years time give yourself a "reward" with the money. I have better sinuses, breathing, sense of smell and taste after just 4 years nearly - it will be 4 years in May. That would have cost me £6000 or $10,000 if you are American - I bought a car with the cash!