If you're a smoker, we know that it's very difficult to convince yourself of the need to quit smoking. But we assure you, there are just so many reasons why you have to quit smoking. So before we proceed with helpful tips to quit smoking, let's enumerate the benefits that you'll enjoy once you quit smoking.
Why don't we concentrate on the lighter side first? People who smoke tend to have bad breath and yellow teeth. Once you quit smoking however, you'll never have to restrain yourself with a slight smile ? one that doesn't show your teeth to your disadvantage, that is. And you don't have to worry anymore if you're going to turn your date off with your wonderfully stale breath!
The second advantage that you'll enjoy once you quit smoking is that most people would tend to have a better impression of you. Nowadays, only a few people are untouched by nicotine addiction and if you're not into smoking, people would tend to think that you're a disciplined and reliable person.
But those are just the lighter side of things. Let's concentrate next on the cold hard facts. Once you quit smoking, changes could start happening in your life in just twenty minutes.
In less than half an hour, your heartbeat immediately drops ? and by the way that's a good thing because when you smoke, your heart rate is higher than normal. In half a day, the carbon monoxide level in your body goes back to normal as well. In two to twelve weeks, you'll enjoy even more health-related benefits such as improved circulation and increased lung function. In nine months at most, you'll be in possession of cleaner and better lungs and the tendency to cough will greatly decrease. Lastly, you'll also feel that you're not as short of breath as you used to be.
One year after your decision to quit smoking, your excess risk of having a heart coronary disease is already 50% less of a smoker's.
In as early as five years after your decision to quit smoking, the chances that you'll have a stroke is already equal to that of a non-smoker!
In as early as a decade, the probability that you'll die of lung cancer ? which is the fate of most people who don't want to quit smoking ? is half of a continuing smoker already! And in fifteen years? time, the likelihood that you'll experience heart coronary disease ? one of the most serious risks that all chain smokers face ? is that of a non-smoker's!
When You Quit Smoking
Smoking remains the largest preventable cause of death and illness in the UK, with approximately 120,000 people dying of smoking-related illnesses each year. The main diseases caused by smoking are chronic obstructive lung disease, e.g. emphysema, many types of cancer and coronary heart disease - although it is actually associated with over 50 diseases.
It is estimated that one in two smokers will die from a smoking related disease, causing, on average, six to eight years of life lost per smoker. Smokers can also impact the health of those around them, for example their children, through passive smoking.
Smoking not only has health implications, but costs money, is a major cause of fires in the home and is also responsible for a significant proportion of litter on our streets.
What do cigarettes contain?
Tobacco smoke contains around 4,000 chemicals - here's just a few of them and their impact on the body:
Nicotine A drug that stimulates the brain and keeps people hooked on smoking. It is responsible for the withdrawal symptoms experienced by those giving up, such as craving, anxiety, restlessness, headaches, hunger, irritability and difficulty with concentration.
Tar This can settle in and damage the surfaces of the lungs, eventually causing lung diseases.
Carbon Monoxide Combines with haemoglobin in the blood more readily than oxygen, making breathing less effective and putting strain on the heart.
Why give up?
Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health no matter what your age - and you can start to notice the difference almost immediately!
After 20 minutes Your blood pressure and pulse rate fall. This is important because high blood pressure increases your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
After 8 hours The level of carbon monoxide in your blood drops. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that gets into your bloodstream when you smoke and makes it more difficult for your body to get all the oxygen it needs.
After 48 hours There is no more nicotine left in your body. Your taste and smell starts to improve and blood flows round your body more easily, reducing the risk of a coronary thrombosis (a blockage of the arteries or vessels leading to the heart).
After 72 hours Your breathing becomes easier and energy levels increase.
After two weeks Your circulation improves and you begin to feel fitter.
In part two find out more on how I quit smoking with ease, no patches, no gum with ease.
Both Grace Palce - & Roger Les Rabbit are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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