Table of contents
Listen to the summary of this article in this podcast:
Cigarette has been known for years as one of the most important preventable causes of death and disease in the world, and almost all smokers know that this habit is harmful to health. However, what often creates real motivation is the tangible realization of the changes that occur in your body, face, daily energy, and even relationships with those around you after quitting smoking. Some people are more worried about lungs and heart, others are more important to them about changes in face, body odor or physical activity ability, and some people think about financial costs. Accurate and step-by-step recognition of these positive consequences can provide a clearer picture of the value of this decision and change one's perspective from losing the pleasure of smoking to real gains. In this article from your doctor, you will learn about the benefits of quitting smoking.
What are the benefits of quitting smoking?
Quit smoking is one of the most important decisions to maintain the general health of the body, and its positive effects start from the very first hours after quitting. The benefits of quitting smoking from the first day include improving the function of the heart and lungs, increasing oxygen supply to the organs and starting the process of cell repair, and with the continuation of this process, the risk of many chronic diseases will decrease significantly. This change improves not only physical health but also mental state, daily energy and quality of life. The most important benefits of quitting smoking are:
- Improving breathing and increasing the blood oxygen level that starts from the first hours of quitting
- Decreasing heart rate and blood pressure which helps heart health
- Improving the sense of smell and taste due to the restoration of nerve receptors
- Reducing cough and shortness of breath by improving lung function
- Decreasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer over time
1. Cleansing the body after quitting smoking
It is interesting to know that even within a few hours after quitting smoking, body cleansing begins. At this stage, the body begins to clear nicotine and other toxic substances from the blood. As a result, instead of these substances, healthy oxygen reaches the tissues and the tissues get a chance to repair themselves. The result is that the internal organs of the body return to their normal state and the person becomes more beautiful in appearance.
2. Cleaning the lungs after quitting smoking
Smoking causes serious and significant lung damage and dramatically increases the risk of developing dangerous diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Quitting smoking not only reduces the likelihood of these diseases, but over time can also significantly improve lung function.
Only within a few months after quitting smoking, lung capacity increases and daily activities such as walking or climbing stairs become easier for a person. In addition, the risk of lung cancer, which is one of the most important causes of death in smokers, gradually decreases.
English text: 10 years after quitting the death rate from lung cancer is about half that of someone who continues to smoke href="https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/advantages-quitting-smoking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mentalhealth
3. Blood concentration after quitting smoking
One of the unpleasant side effects of smoking is the increase in blood concentration. In fact, due to the accumulation of nicotine and harmful gases such as carbon monoxide in the body, oxygen does not have enough space to be transported through the blood. As a result, the person experiences a decrease in oxygen levels. In this situation, the body produces more red blood cells to compensate for this disorder, and the increase in their number is equal to the increase in blood concentration. When you quit smoking, these harmful substances are removed from the blood and blood oxygen returns to normal levels. As a result, the blood concentration gradually reaches its normal level and the function of the vessels and the heart also improves.
4. Weight gain after quitting smoking
Most smokers are naturally about 2 to 3 kilograms below their normal weight, so gaining weight after quitting will actually bring them back to their ideal weight. After quitting smoking, a person's appetite improves, because nicotine is one of the factors that reduce appetite. On the other hand, the sense of taste and smell is also enhanced and the food seems tastier. Besides all these things, improving mood and increasing energy can also cause weight gain. This weight gain is not only natural, but also helps to improve a person's appearance and general health.
5. Lip color change after quitting smoking
Studies show that smoking or using tobacco are the main causes of gum disease, tooth loss, and dark lips. By reducing the blood flow in the mouth area, the nicotine in cigarettes causes the natural color of the lips to change and damages the oral tissues. By quitting smoking, the risk of gum disease decreases, the smell of the mouth becomes more pleasant, and the appearance and health of the lips and teeth improve. In this way, the person regains his beautiful and refreshing smile and his self-confidence increases.
| Area | Benefits of quitting smoking |
|---|---|
| Physical health | Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, mouth cancer, and lung diseases |
| Respiratory function | Improving lung function, reducing cough and Shortness of breath, increased breathing capacity |
| Skin health and appearance | Improving skin color and texture, reducing premature aging, whitening teeth and good breath |
| Mental health | Reducing anxiety, improving mood, increasing concentration and sleep quality |
| Oral and dental health | Reducing tooth decay, improving health Gums and reducing the possibility of tooth loss |
| Increasing life expectancy | Quitting smoking can add several years to a person's life. |
6. Reducing the risk of heart diseases
Cigarette produces various chemicals such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, which cause disturbances in the heartbeat rhythm and increase the possibility of high blood pressure and heart diseases. But when you quit smoking, you actually stop carbon monoxide from reaching your body. This makes more room for oxygen to reach the blood vessels and organs of the body. It is interesting to know that only within 24 hours after quitting smoking, heart rate, blood oxygen level and blood circulation improve significantly.
English text:
healthwire
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among smokers.
Text translation:
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among smokers.
7. Increased sense of smell and taste
Continuous smoking gradually weakens the senses of taste and smell. Nicotine and other harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke, by making structural changes in the taste buds, reduce their sensitivity and function, and by damaging the related nerves, they disrupt the function of these senses. These harmful compounds also damage the olfactory receptors in the nose and reduce the ability to detect smells. By quitting smoking, the process of rebuilding the taste buds begins and the olfactory receptors become more active again. As a result, a person experiences flavors and aromas with greater clarity and intensity.
8. Strengthening the immune system
Smoking can weaken the immune system and make a person more vulnerable to infections and diseases. After quitting smoking, the immune system restores its normal function and thus improves its ability to fight diseases. This improvement helps to strengthen the overall health of the body and reduces the risk of common colds and respiratory infections.
9. Reducing the risk of cancer
Quitting smoking is one of the most important things that smokers can do to reduce the risk of cancer. Smoking is not only the main cause of lung cancer; It is also related to other types of cancer, including:
- mouth
- throat and larynx
- Mary
- bladder
- Kidney
- Pancreas
- Cervix
- Large intestine and rectum
10. Life extension
Smoking significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke by narrowing blood vessels; Therefore, quitting smoking can prevent deaths from these serious diseases. In addition, quitting smoking plays an important role in increasing life expectancy by reducing the risk of various types of cancer. Quitting smoking also improves quality of life, improves sleep regulation, and overall helps a person live a healthier and longer life.
11. Psychological and social benefits of quitting smoking
One of the benefits of quitting smoking is that shortly after, the symptoms of anxiety and depression decrease. Some people feel more relaxed and comfortable when they are no longer dependent on cigarettes, and others say that their quality of life has improved. Quitting smoking may give you a sense of personal satisfaction. You can be proud of yourself for taking such a big step for your health. Also, if people around you blame you for smoking, you will no longer hear such negative criticism and your relationship with your spouse, children and friends will improve.
Finally, you don't need to leave gatherings to go outside and smoke, so you have the opportunity to feel more present at social events. All these things can improve your mood, self-esteem and mental and physical health.
Benefits of quitting smoking for hair and face
The effects of facial changes after quitting smoking are quite evident. By stopping the use of nicotine and other toxins, the blood flow and oxygen supply to the skin and hair follicles improves. After quitting smoking, the skin will gradually become fresher and clearer, and the process of premature aging, wrinkles, and dullness of the face will be reduced. Hair also falls less due to better intake of nutrients and their strength and thickness increases over time. Also, quitting smoking can reduce dryness of the scalp and hair fragility and help to improve the natural color of the face, because the body has the opportunity to regenerate cells and repair the damage caused by smoking.
The benefits of quitting smoking for the brain
Quitting smoking has positive and significant effects on brain health, because by cutting off nicotine and toxic substances, blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain tissue improves. After quitting, concentration, memory and information processing speed gradually increase and the risk of early cognitive decline decreases. Also, quitting smoking reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, which plays an important role in preventing diseases such as stroke and dementia. With the gradual regulation of neurotransmitters, mood swings and psychological dependence are reduced and the chemical balance of the brain is closer to the natural state. In general, quitting smoking helps to improve mental performance, nervous health and increase the quality of life.
Conclusion
Quitting smoking actually means starting a series of gradual but important changes in your body and lifestyle. From the first days and weeks when breathing improvement, cough reduction and energy increase are felt, to the following months and years when the risk of heart disease, stroke and many cancers is significantly reduced, the path of this decision is accompanied by numerous achievements. Along with these aspects, the change in the appearance of the skin and face, the improvement of the smell of the mouth and the atmosphere of the house, the increase of financial power and the feeling of more control over the body and life, provide a more complete picture of the value of this choice. Finally, the positive effects of quitting are reflected in both the current and future health of the individual.
Your doctor takes care of your health!
