Smoking is a tough habit to break. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70% of smokers want to quit — but only a few are successful each year. While quitting is essential to improving your quality of life, it’s important to be aware of the effects quitting can have on your body. But you can make the transition easier by understanding what to expect after you quit smoking. Learn more about the changes you may experience as your body heals from smoking.
Withdrawal Symptoms
When you quit smoking, physical changes occur in your body as it adjusts to the absence of nicotine and other chemicals from cigarettes. Common withdrawal symptoms include cigarette cravings, anxiety, irritability, trouble sleeping or concentrating, fatigue, restlessness, and increased appetite. These will typically last anywhere from a few days to several weeks after quitting smoking.
It’s important to remember that these withdrawal symptoms are temporary and will subside over time as your body adjusts back to a smoke-free lifestyle. Some people may find comfort in using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as patches or gum, which can help reduce cravings and make withdrawal more manageable. It’s also important to get plenty of rest and exercise while managing nicotine withdrawals — even small amounts of movement like brisk walking or riding a bike can help take your mind off smoking urges and boost endorphins in your body that reduce stress levels naturally.
Dental Health Improvement
One of the many benefits of quitting smoking is improved dental health. The smoke and tar in cigarettes lead to increased bacteria colonies in your mouth, contributing to various dental problems such as bad breath, stained teeth, and gum disease. After quitting smoking, bacteria colonies in your mouth will start to decrease, leading to improved dental health.
This is especially noticeable after the first few weeks of quitting, when you’ll notice improved breath, brighter teeth, and healthier gums. But when the damage has been done, you may need additional help from your local dentist to repair the damage from long-term smoking. This could include deep cleaning and whitening treatments to restore your teeth to their natural luster. They can also recommend additional treatments, such as gum grafts or implants, to help repair any damage caused by smoking.
Improved Lung Function
Over time, smoking can cause damage to the lungs and airways, leading to breathing problems and diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. After quitting smoking, the lungs can start to heal and recover from the damage caused by smoking. This includes improved breathing, decreased coughing and chest tightness, and increased energy levels. Your lung function will improve within just a few weeks and can continue to improve in the months and years ahead.
Additionally, many people who quit smoking will also notice an improvement in their sense of smell and taste. Smoking can damage your taste buds, leading to a diminished sense of taste. After breaking the habit, the taste buds can start to heal, and you may notice an improved sense of smell and taste in foods. Look out for the subtle flavors that you may have missed while smoking.
Reduced Risk of Cancer
Smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer, so quitting smoking can help dramatically reduce your risk of developing cancer. The longer you stay smoke-free, the greater your risk reduction. Quitting smoking can also reduce your risk of developing other serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Many of these long-term benefits will continue to increase the longer you stay smoke-free.
However, cancer can still develop even after quitting smoking, so it’s essential to also make healthy lifestyle choices like eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. This will help reduce your risk of developing cancer and other serious illnesses. Ask your doctor for advice on how to best reduce your risk. They may also be able to recommend lifestyle and nutrition changes that can help you stay healthy for longer.
Putting your health first by quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself today! Whether you choose NRT or rely on willpower alone, know that there are resources available if you need help during this challenging process, no matter how long it’s been since you smoked your last cigarette! Plus, long-term benefits like an improved sense of smell/taste plus reduced risk for illness make all those short-term struggles worth it! So if you’re thinking about taking control of your health today, consider quitting smoking once and for all.
