How fast lungs recover after smoking: Few people know this
When the lungs can clear after quitting smoking (photo: pixabay.com)
Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps toward a healthy life. But do you know how long it takes for your lungs to clear after your last cigarette?
When do the lungs start to cleanse after quitting smoking?
Doctors explain that the process of cleansing the respiratory system begins almost immediately after quitting smoking, but full recovery takes years and depends on many factors.
Just 20 minutes after the last cigarette, heart rate and blood pressure return to normal. After 8 hours, the level of carbon monoxide in the blood drops, and after 48 hours, the senses of smell and taste improve. However, the lungs are an organ that requires much more time to recover.
After 1 to 3 months, coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing decrease as the ciliated epithelium, microscopic "hairs" in the lungs that remove mucus and dust particles, begins to restore its function. It had been paralyzed by toxic substances in cigarette smoke.
After 6 months, lung ventilation improves significantly. Many people lose their smoker’s chronic cough, and the lungs become less vulnerable to infections.
After 1 year, the risk of cardiovascular diseases is reduced by half, and the respiratory system functions much more effectively. However, complete cleansing of the lungs from accumulated tar, toxins, and microdamage takes from 2 to 10 years, depending on smoking history, individual characteristics of the body, presence of chronic illnesses, and lifestyle.
Even after many years of smoking, the body can regenerate. Proper nutrition, physical activity, clean air, and the absence of stress can significantly accelerate the lung cleansing process.
Sources: Medical News Today, Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
