Quitting smoking can lead to significant health improvements. According to Dr. (Col) SP Rai, a consultant in pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, the human body begins to heal almost immediately after the last cigarette.
Tobacco negatively impacts nearly every organ in the body, including the heart, blood vessels, brain, and skin. Despite the extensive damage caused by smoking, Dr. Rai emphasizes that recovery starts right after quitting.
Changes in the body can be observed quickly. Just 20 minutes after smoking cessation, heart rate and blood pressure start to decline towards normal levels. Within 12 hours, carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal, and oxygen circulation improves.
Over the following weeks and months, blood flow enhances, and lung function begins to recover, making physical activities easier. Notably, after one year of being smoke-free, the risk of coronary heart disease is reduced by approximately 50% compared to those who continue smoking.
With sustained abstinence, the benefits continue to accumulate. After five years, the risk of stroke decreases to that of non-smokers, while after ten years, the likelihood of dying from lung cancer is nearly halved compared to current smokers. By fifteen years, the risk of coronary heart disease approaches that of someone who has never smoked.
In addition to these improvements, symptoms such as coughing and breathlessness diminish, and the lungs begin to clear out accumulated substances. Individuals may also notice enhanced taste and smell, increased energy levels, and healthier-looking skin.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com via Google News.
