Does anyone have suggestions or kowledge on recovering from smoking?
I quit smoking a few weeks ago after 31/2 year of the junk! Is it possible to heal my lungs?
If not, how far back to normal can I get?
If my lungs can somewhat heal, how long will this take?
Thx for any input
It's pretty simple, when you stop smoking you will begin to recover. I read that it takes 5 years to undo the damage but gull80 could speak to that with authority.
Originally posted by gull80
Unfortunately you may not be able to undo all of the damage. For example, I have seen many individuals who developed emphysema years after quitting. However, after approximately 10 years, I believe, your risk of developing cancer approaches that of a nonsmoker.
Are there other factors in that 10 year equation such as amount smoked, age quit, etc?
You're right, SCY.
I heard that 5 year recovery time as well, not sure from where. However, as I mentioned before, 3 months I started to feel the benefits.
Unfortunately you may not be able to undo all of the damage. For example, I have seen many individuals who developed emphysema years after quitting. However, after approximately 10 years, I believe, your risk of developing cancer approaches that of a nonsmoker.
Originally posted by GoRedFoxes
Alex, Mexico City? I have to change my statement, to say ...; Pack of Smokes, $1.20;... (LOL)
Hey, I can appreciate talk about how unhealthy smoking is, I have no problem whatsoever agreeing to that, and just have reasonable, logical discourse over it. It's the Militant Anti Smoking group I have a problem with, and they are the ones I like to beat in the pool. :-) It's like the seatbelt or helmet laws. The state has no right to tell me I can't hurt myself. Education is the constitutional path to a healthy existance, not legislation.
"Stupidity used to be a capitol crime, let's reinstate it."
Yes Mexico City, about 2,000 miles south from NYC . LOL!
And I wish people down here would respect the laws as US people do in the USA, specially the ones related to smoking. Maybe I am a kind of militant anti-smoking mexican that you can beat in the pool.:confused:
Originally posted by aquageek
Are there other factors in that 10 year equation such as amount smoked, age quit, etc?
The real question is, did you inhale?
It always amazes me that smokers jump on the personal liberties and freedoms bandwagon but find it is perfectly acceptable to drive up everyone else's health/life insurance premiums, stink up our establishments, clog the health care system with their self imposed and totally avoidable horrible and chronic conditions and toss their butts anywhere they please.
How about this, the next time a smoker is at the doctor's office and another customer who doesn't smoke comes in, why don't you tell that person that your repeated visits and health problems are your own fault and tell the otherwise healthy nonsmoker to go before you? The nonsmoker is heavily subsidizing your visit if they have insurance so they should really go first.
Marlen, good luck and stick to it. I had quit for about 3 months, and felt so much better in the pool (aquageek), but stress levels got be back. It's like what Samuel Clemens once said, "Quitting smoking is the easiet thing I have ever done, I've done it 100 times". LOL.
About the Militants, I don't include those who want to enjoy a smokefree dinner, or cocktail hour. I include those who push health related legislation through our system. It should be left to the resturaunt/bar owner. Before we had our laws here in NY, there were a dozen or so bars which voluntarilly went smoke free. These bars were PACKED!
You want to put tax dollars on it? Why not legislate procreation to only those who can afford it or can prove they can manage without government assistance (kind of like getting a mortgage)?
Like I said, stupidity used to get you killed. Now we are trying to protect the stupid from themselves, whereby, depleating the gene pool. (Oh, everyone is going to love that one!)
Since swimming is so healty (probably one of the most healty sport known), maybe we should start a Militant group, lobby state legislatures, and make it law for everyone to swim (or some form of exercise).
