How long does it take for a smoker's lungs to recover after quitting smoking?

The direct impact of smoking is on the lungs. It causes great damage to the lungs. It is certain that the lungs will gradually recover after quitting smoking, because after quitting smoking, the lungs will get a significant rest and recuperation, and the health of the lungs will gradually improve. After quitting smoking, the incidence of lung cancer will show a significant decrease. Therefore, quitting smoking has only benefits and no harm. For people who smoke all the year round, it is best to quit smoking.

How long does it take for a smoker's lungs to recover after quitting smoking?

1. Quit smoking for 20 minutes

Your blood pressure and pulse will return to normal, and the temperature of your hands and feet will rise, eliminating the problem of cold hands and feet.

2. Quit smoking for 8 hours

The levels of nicotine and carbon monoxide in the blood will be reduced by half. The oxygen level in your blood will increase and return to normal, and you'll react faster, sleep better, and feel stronger.

3. Quit smoking for 48 hours

Most of the nicotine is eliminated, and the sense of smell and taste gradually improves. The lungs will begin to clear themselves of phlegm and other lung toxins.

4. Quitting smoking for 72 hours: Breathing ability is improved

A smoker's bronchial tubes begin to relax within 72 hours, and breathing capacity increases accordingly.

5. One week after quitting smoking: lung villi regenerate

One week after quitting smoking, the cilia in the lungs begin to regenerate. The cilia in the lungs have the function of filtering impurities and preventing infection.

6. Three months after quitting smoking: Cilia return to normal

Once the cilia return to normal, they can effectively remove dead and damaged cells. At the same time, bronchial tissue begins to heal.

7. One year after quitting smoking: Lung function improves

Body tissues and cilia continue to recover for years after you stop smoking. The result is a gradual improvement in lung function.

8. Ten years after quitting smoking: cancer risk is reduced by half

The American Lung Association points out that 10 years after quitting smoking, former smokers' risk of lung cancer can be reduced by half compared to smokers.

But medical research statistics also show that about 70% of smokers will relapse one week after quitting - this is a rather alarming proportion. The reasons for relapse are nothing more than psychological changes in the smokers who quit smoking and some physical withdrawal reactions.

People who have quit smoking generally believe that there are two most unbearable things in the process. One is physical. They always cough in the early stage of quitting smoking. The other is mental. They always feel itchy in their hearts when they don’t smoke, and they feel unmotivated at work. Therefore, when encountering such problems while quitting smoking, people often give up.