I quit smoking cigarettes 2 months ago. Does your lungs ever replenish and become their normal state? -
If so, how long is the process? Does it depend on age? I am 24 and have been smoking since age 16.
You are young, so you-ll recover almost 99% !
It will take 7 years before complete regeneration (all your body cells - but those of heart and brain - are dying and being replaced by brand-new one. the compllete process takes 7 years)
There you go for more info :
http://index-go.com/health_fitness_medic…
It can take a long time but since you are young hopefull your lungs will clear up. It is hard to tell how much permanent damage was done without having pulmonary testing done. Congrats on not smoking though.
Your lungs actually start to heal 30 minutes after your last cig, it is just most of the time you light up again, so yes give it time and try some cardio to help build back your healthy body.
Yes, they actually do - after two to three years generally. Then your lungs will look as though you never smoked at all.
Good for you and hang in there!
yay for you and yes they do!
Since everybody-s physiology differs timing depends;also the amount on a regular basis you used to smoke (your pack per day average) will affect recovery. For someone young as yourself and a relatively limited exposure in terms of years you lungs can recover more quickly. As cells in our body do regenerate, your lungs should be great.
That-s the reason to stop smoking anyway, because the lungs can heal from the insult the chemicals in the smoke impart.
I smoked 2 packs/day for 20+ years. I am 47 years old. Five months ago I had 5 bypass open heart surgery (CABG), at that time I was also diagnosed with COPD (Emphysema) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Smoking was my only risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Smoking is a large factor in the COPD. Emphysema is a non-reversible disease but damage can be stopped by quitting smoking and symptoms somewhat relieved by getting treatment.. With the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis genetics seems to play a role, smoking may be a contributing factor but the actual cause is unknown (idiopathic). What is known is that the immune system seems to kick into overdrive and when damage occures the scaring caused is exaggerated. People that work around metal and wood (me) dusts seem to have a greater occurrence of IPF. IPF is irreversable disease. In fact it is a progressive disease. Current treatments provide relief from the symptoms and at best slow it-s progression. IPF is often fatal disease with about 2/3 of patients dieing within 5-6 years of diagnosis.
See the links below for more information on these three diseases.
I am very pleased to hear that you have quit smoking. I too quit the day I went in the hospital for the bypass surgery. My heart surgeon prescribed Bupropion, the brand names are Welbutrin and Zyban. I would suggest that you have your doctor take a Chest X-ray and perform a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT). From there he/she can determine if further testing is needed and how often to retest.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Terry
20 Minutes After Quitting: Your heart rate drops.
12 hours After Quitting: Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting: Your heart attack risk begins to drop.Your lung function begins to improve.
1 to 9 Months After Quitting: Your Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
1 Year After Quitting: Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
5 Years After Quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s 5-15 years after quitting.
10 Years After Quitting: Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s. Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.
15 Years After Quitting: Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker’s
Yes they do but it takes time. It wont happen over night.
Studies have shown that lungs can and do revert to a -non-smokers- state when one quits smoking.
The extent of the of -fix- depends on the age of the person and how much they smoked for how long.
You are still young and don-t have too many years as a smoker. If you QUIT NOW, you likely won-t have much of an increased risk for smoking related diseases in the future (e.g. cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema).
The longer you wait, the less the damage is reversible, but SOME risk is always averted by quitting, so it-s never too late to stop.
I-ve read that it takes on average 10 years for your lungs to be as capable as pre- smoking. It varies with age and length of smoking and amount you smoked. It-s worth mentioning, as well, the lungs do continually rejuvenate and -heal- themselves before that time. So, it is still beneficial, of course. Although, sometimes there are cases where the lungs and/or respiratory system can never get back to what they were. Such as when a person has aquired asthma from their smoking habit. Best of luck - kudos on quitting- I know it-s the hardest thing I ever had to do, but after 6 mos. I feel 100%!