If you are an active smoker, but you are thinking about quitting smoking, then this article is the right one for you. Moreover, you will see how amazing your body is, and how quickly it actually begins recovering.
20 minutes after quitting: your pulse, blood pressure, and the temperature of the hands and feet will stabilize.
8 hours after quitting: the nicotine levels in your blood will lower down to 6, 25% on daily basis, a total reduction of 93,75%.
12 hours: the blood oxygen levels will normalize as well as the carbon monoxide levels.
24 hours: you will become anxious and this will return to pre-cessation levels in 2 weeks after quitting smoking.
48 hours: the damaged nerve endings will regrow while the senses of smell and taste become normal. At this stage you will feel additional anger and irritability.
72 hours: At this stage of non-smoking your body will be completely free from nicotine and the nicotine metabolites will have been removed through the urine. The chemical withdrawal will be more intense, and you will feel restless. The craving will increase with any quitting day in the “average” smoker. In recovering smokers, the lung bronchial tubes leading to the air sacs will start relaxing. Furthermore, your breathing will become easier and the capacity of the lungs will increase.
5-8 days: The average craving episodes are usually 3 per day, each less than 3 minutes. However, these minutes will be difficult since they may appear as hours.
10 days: 2 crave episodes per day, each one less than 3 minutes.
10-14 days: at this point of the quitting, your addiction and craving will have lowered significantly. The blood circulation in your gums and teeth will be similar to that of a non-smoker.
2-4 weeks: At this point you will no longer feel anxious, angry, or impatient. Moreover, the difficulty concentrating, insomnia, depression, and restlessness will disappear. However, if you still experience some of these symptoms at this stage, consult a physician.
21 days: The number of acetylcholine receptors will be reduced whereas the receptor binding will have similar levels as in non-smokers.
2 weeks to 3 months: the risk from heart attack will be significantly lower while the lung functioning will be improved.
3 weeks to 3 months: the circulation will be bettered and walking will be easier for you. Moreover, the coughing will be part of the past. However, if this is not the case, you have to consult a professional since persistent cough may indicate serious problems.
8 weeks: insulin resistance in smokers will have normalized.
1 to 9 months: The fatigue, shortness of breath, and sinus congestion will be lowered. The cilia will regrow in the lungs, thus increasing your lungs’ capability to handle mucus, maintain your lungs clean, and reduce infections. What’s more, you will be more energetic than previously.
1 year: the risk of coronary diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and strokes will be lowered to less than a half.
5 years: the risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage will have decreased to 59%. If you are a female ex-smoker, the risk of diabetes should be same to that of a non-smoker.
5 to 10 years: the risk of stroke becomes the same as that of a non-smoker.
10 years: the risk of lung cancer is between 30% and 50%. If you were an average smoker, the risk of death caused by lung cancer should have lowered to half. Additionally, you will have a decreased risk of developing throat cancer, mouth cancer, pancreatic and esophagus cancer. The risk of diabetes will be the same as that of a non-smoker.
13 years: the risk of coronary disease will be the same as that of a non-smoker. And the risk of pancreatic cancer will decline significantly.
20 years: the risk of death caused by diseases related to smoking will be the same as that of a non-smoker.
These points are great indications that our bodies are truly wonderful in every sense. Moreover, by reading this, you realize that smoking endangers your overall health on all levels; however, your body is able to recuperate if you are only strong enough to put an end to this detrimental habit. Therefore, the decision is yours!
Source: Health line