how long does it take? (smoker question)

[fr0z3n]

Hi guys... just wanted to ask if you have some knowledge or ideas on How long will my body (specially my lungs) to recover from smoking?...

 

I am 21 years old, smoking for around 6 -7 years I think with an average of 5 - 6 sticks per day. I hope it's not too late for me to quit, I ve already tried in the past but I always fail. It came again to my mind after reading a magazine (i think from jehova's witnesses) about quitting smoking. I got some ideas on how to quit but because of the depression and stress because of my recent breakup (though Im feeling much better now), it made me rely on smoking for some relief...

 

Now I am decided to quit, I have already set my goals on quitting smoking and also for a much better me. I also computed the money that I will save once Ive stopped smoking because I cant smoke without a drink or beverage that means everytime I smoke, I also spent some of my money for drinks even though Im not that thirsty...

 

My start date to quit is on june 14 and the magazine said that the first day that I can tel Im free from smoking is after I manage not to smoke for 2 straight weeks.

[shuttlefish]

[Assuming you are talking about cigarettes]

 

In theory, all nicotine is gone from your body in 7 to 10 days. However, in my experience, it is the physical habit which is harder to break. You started smoking at a pretty young age so they may be tougher than some to break.

 

After about 3-4 months you will start feeling alot better. It will go in stages really. A few weeks and you will notice your sinuses are clearer, a few months you get your breath more back, and a year you will feel great!!!!!!

[NightLily]

It is definitely not too late for you to quit. My grandpa smoked from his teens until he was late 50s and was able to quit so I don't think there is any sort of deadline.

 

And I can't say when you will feel better because it really depends on what your issues are but while many of the symptoms you are having will go away, smoking creates damage to the body and lungs that can't be reversed (the severity will of course depend on your current state).

 

If you are having real issues with your breathing you should go to a doctor as smoking can cause certain lung diseases.

[fr0z3n]

[Assuming you are talking about cigarettes]

 

In theory, all nicotine is gone from your body in 7 to 10 days. However, in my experience, it is the physical habit which is harder to break. You started smoking at a pretty young age so they may be tougher than some to break.

 

After about 3-4 months you will start feeling alot better. It will go in stages really. A few weeks and you will notice your sinuses are clearer, a few months you get your breath more back, and a year you will feel great!!!!!!

 

Yeah, I think I have an idea about that physical habbit that you are talking about... I can sometimes feel that the addiction fromnicotine is fading (specially after I quitted for a month 2 yrs ago) I hope I can beat and break this habbit specially if I feel stress or even while walking going to school every morning... I want to start working out and doing some cardio but in my state right now, I always get tired easily (Im living a sedentry lifestyle, no excercise just walking aroung 10-15minutes and no other physical activities)....

[LivingToday]

Like others have stated, it is not too late. It might also be an oral fixation once the nicotine is out of the system.

 

I did hear once from doctors that it takes as long as you smoked for the lungs to heal again (and I'm sure the amount per day affects duration too). But I think the basic formula is 5 years smoking = 5 years for lungs to reheal.

[fr0z3n]

It is definitely not too late for you to quit. My grandpa smoked from his teens until he was late 50s and was able to quit so I don't think there is any sort of deadline.

 

And I can't say when you will feel better because it really depends on what your issues are but while many of the symptoms you are having will go away, smoking creates damage to the body and lungs that can't be reversed (the severity will of course depend on your current state).

 

If you are having real issues with your breathing you should go to a doctor as smoking can cause certain lung diseases.

 

I seldom feel any issues about my breathing but I often feel some pain on my chest, Im planning visiting a doctor for an x ray and a check up before the date that Ive stated above so I will have an idea on the current state of my health... I wish I dont have any major problem as I have already suffered from primary complex for 6 months (thats what they called) when I was 2 yrs old...

[Red Fox]

Hi guys... just wanted to ask if you have some knowledge or ideas on How long will my body (specially my lungs) to recover from smoking?....

 

I found a site which was produced by the National Health Service in the UK and explains what benefits you get from stopping smoking over a period of time. The highlights are below and I have a link to the site further down this post.

 

After 8 hours of not smoking: "Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal."

 

After 24 hours of not smoking: "Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris."

 

After 72 hours of not smoking: "Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase."

 

After 3 to 9 months of not smoking: "Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%."

 

After 10 years of not smoking: "Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked."

 

link removed

[fr0z3n]

Like others have stated, it is not too late. It might also be an oral fixation once the nicotine is out of the system.

 

I did hear once from doctors that it takes as long as you smoked for the lungs to heal again (and I'm sure the amount per day affects duration too). But I think the basic formula is 5 years smoking = 5 years for lungs to reheal.

 

So it might take me 5-6 yrs to recover but I also heard about the withrawal thing that they say and I dont have any idea about that thing, maybe it's the cause why I failed quitting smoking after I managed to stop smoking for a month... Im afraid that this might happen again... its so hard to fight the urge to smoke....

[fr0z3n]

thanks for the link red fox that you gave... Ill be checking that right now... I feel motivated upon reading that there still hope and its still possible to quit smoking, most of my classmates are smokers and classes will start on june 7, I need all the motivation that I need before that day...

[doityourself]

Think of all that money and energy your going to save, no more running to the store in the middle of the night, going outside in the cold cause you cant smoke indoors anymore. Not hacking up your lungs in the morning.

 

Good Luck from one smoker to a ex smoker.

[fr0z3n]

thanks DIY... thats what ive been thinking alot, 2 weeks of not smoking means I can save some money enough to have a facial treatment (Im also suffering from acne problem but it's stable now)...

[doityourself]

Smoking causes alot of stress on you and your body, I would wait a couple of months before you go to doc, your smoking may have contributed to your acne.

 

I would say save what you would have spent and go on a trip or buy something youve really been wanting.

[fr0z3n]

Smoking causes alot of stress on you and your body, I would wait a couple of months before you go to doc, your smoking may have contributed to your acne.

 

I would say save what you would have spent and go on a trip or buy something youve really been wanting.

 

thanks again diy, i'll be adding that on my list on why should i quit smoking... Does an X-ray is enough just for me to know the current state of my lungs (i.e. if it's still in good condition or if I have some of what they called "spots"?) as I still dont know the cause of the pain that I occasionally feel around my chest, it's not that painful, just a slight pain that i feel...

[testcase]

Yea get an XRay of your lungs. Never too late to quit smoking! I smoked about a pack a day for ~10 years. 2 packs a day for probably 5 of those. Quit about a year ago don't miss it at all. The actually nicotine addiction will be gone pretty quick. The rest is just your physical addiction that correlates stress to wanting a cigarette.

 

I'll say I'm glad I quit smoking an encourage any other smokers to do so. I'm in the best shape of my life now and things only get better. It is not easy to quit that is for sure. It is definitely worth it though to break yourself free of a worthless habit.

[ScreenagerX]

Today is day 3 for me after a pack a day for the last 5 years & I must say this time has been the easiest ever that I've tried to quit. I think it was a mindset as I actually really want to quit this time. I know I enjoy it but its just my mind telling me I enjoy it from the kick they give me.

[fr0z3n]

Today is day 3 for me after a pack a day for the last 5 years & I must say this time has been the easiest ever that I've tried to quit. I think it was a mindset as I actually really want to quit this time. I know I enjoy it but its just my mind telling me I enjoy it from the kick they give me.

 

I wish you all the best dude... I also read about that in the magazine, they called tobacco as a false friend (inside your mind)...

 

I really need to stick to this, 1 more year and i'll graduate and after that Im planning to work abroad but before that I need to pass a strict medical examination...