Regain your health and reverse the effects of smoking

As far as I see it, you either smoke or you don't. The notion that you can be a social smoker is denial at best. The effects of smoking a few cigarettes every weekend are not that far removed from someone who smokes a few cigarettes every day. It's time to cut the excuses, put down the cigs and start to reverse the damage in as little as 20 minutes.



Here's a list from ASH of improvements your body makes after you put down the last stick.

20 minutes

• Pulse rate returns to normal

8 Hours

• Levels of poisonous carbon monoxide in the blood decline, this chemical impairs your red blood cells' ability to hold oxygen. This means improved aerobic capacity and reduced stress.
• Nicotine in the body drops to 10% of what it was immediately post cigarette. Dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline levels in the brain drop. Here comes the craving.

24 Hours 

• Nicotine and carbon monoxide are almost back to normal levels.

48 hours

• Ability to taste and smell improves

72 hours

• Constriction of airways reduces, breathing is easier and energy levels are higher.

"Smoking sucks! The one thing I would say to my kid is, 'It's not just that it's bad for you. Do you want to spend the rest of your life fighting a stupid addiction to a stupid thing that doesn't even really give you a good buzz?"

Katherine Heigl











6 weeks

• Cilia in your lungs grow back and lung function will increase by 30%, no more smokers cough as your lungs begin to clean themselves again.
• Circulation improves
• Skin complexion improves, reduction in paleness and jaundiced appearance.

3 months

• Increased sexual performance. Smokers with erectile dysfunction tend to get back into the swing of things after 3 months.
• Increased testosterone and reduced rate of hair loss.

 
"Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times"

Mark Twain












9 months

• Risk of heart disease is halved compared to regular smokers

10 years

• Your risk of cancer is half that of a regular smoker

15 years

• Your risk of heart attack is that of a non-smoker

This month is 'Stoptober', if you would like to join the hundreds of thousands of people giving up smoking this months then please visit https://stoptober.smokefree.nhs.uk/ for free advice and support.