by
Stepy —
October 7, 2019
- We have all heard before how detrimental smoking is to our health. Years of research have shown that cigarettes are one of the most dangerous products that humans consume, if not the most dangerous. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that every year, an estimated 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or smoke exposure, and around 8.6 million suffer from serious smoke-related diseases. Smoking is not just dangerous to smokers. People who are exposed to second hand smoke have increased risk of smoke related diseases as well.
-
- It is never too late to quit.
-
- The American Cancer Society (ACS) states that after just 20 minutes, your body already begins the healing process. The ACS published a timeline showing how your body heals after quitting smoking.
-
- 20 minutes after quitting:
- Your heart rate and blood pressure that is raised from the nicotine in cigarettes begins to drop.
-
- 12 hours after quitting:
- The carbon monoxide in your blood drops to normal levels.
-
- 2 weeks to 3 months:
- Your blood circulation, which is affected by smoking improves, and your lung function improves. Your breathing will also improve, and the cilia in your lungs that gets rid of debris and mucous heals.
-
- 1 year:
- Your risk of heart disease gets cut in half.
-
- 2-4 years:
- The risk of having a stroke drops back down to normal.
-
- 5 years:
- The risk of mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder cancers gets cut in half. Also, the risk of developing cervical cancer drops to the levels of someone who has never smoked.
-
- 10 years:
- The risk of death from lung cancer will be cut in half. The risk of developing pancreatic cancer has also dropped.
-
- 15 years:
- The risk of having a heart attack drops to the same amount as a person who doesn’t smoke.
-
- “So as hard as it is to kick the habit, try and try again,” Dr. Oz states, “as you can see, it won’t take long for your body to thank you.”
-
- For the top heart health foods.
- For a cancer-fighting drink.
- REFERENCES:
- 1. Oz, Mehmet, MD. “You Wanted to Know: Recovering from Smoking.” The Oz Blog. Doctor Oz, 23 Aug. 2013. Web. 07 Sept. 2013.
- 2. “When Smokers Quit – What Are the Benefits over Time?” Cancer.org. American Cancer Society, n.d. Web. 07 Sept. 2013.
- 3. “Tobacco Use.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Nov. 2012. Web. 07 Sept. 2013.
