Healing Starts As Soon As You Stop LUNGS Healing Starts As Soon As You Stop

Function Our lungs allow oxygen to enter our bodies and help remove carbon dioxide. Many things can cause lung damage, so we need to know and understand these things in order to change or avoid them. Smoking, secondhand smoke, pollution, toxins and chemicals are just a few.  

Health Exercise – Aerobic exercise in particular, such as jogging or biking, helps the lungs and heart learn to better take in oxygen, dispel carbon dioxide, and distribute oxygen rich blood throughout the body. Limit smoke exposure– It is well known that smoking wreaks havoc on your lungs, but secondhand smoke and even “thirdhand smoke,” being in an environment where smoking occurred, is believed to damage your body as well. Try to limit your smoke exposure in any form. Nutrition – Eating well is beneficial for numerous reasons, but eating antioxidant rich foods such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale was found in one study to reduce participants risk of developing lung cancer by 50%.

Smoking – Short Term Smoking causes your lungs and airways to become irritated. Your airways narrow and airflow is reduced as well, leading to wheezing and coughing. More mucus builds up in your lungs and airways. It also thickens in size. Heart rate and blood pressure increase. The activity of the “cilia” in your lungs, which help remove mucus, is slowed down, leading to mucus buildup.

Smoking – Long Term Can cause premature aging and wrinkling of the skin Decreased immune system function Increased risk for developing lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung disorders Male health – Smoking can lead to erectile dysfunction, poor sperm quality and sperm defects Female health – Increased risk for certain types of cancers, such as cervical and ovarian, as well as reduced fertility

Quitting – Short Term 20 minutes - Blood pressure and heart rate decrease from their elevated rate 8 hours - The blood begins to clean itself and regain normal levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide 1 month – Circulation and lung function begin to improve 1 year – Coronary heart disease risk is reduced 50% compared to a continuing smoker Ongoing – Breath improves, stains from nails and teeth clear up, coughing and wheezing decreases, and your physical energy improves

Quitting – Long Term 5 years – Risk for stroke is significantly reduced compared to continuing smokers and continues to go down with time 10 years – Lung cancer risk is 50% less than those who still smoke 15 years – Coronary heart disease risk is close to that of those who have never smoked Fewer colds and infections Risk for other cancers decreases significantly as well the longer you stay smoke free

Sources www.everydayhealth.com www.upmc.com www.lung.org