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Conditions We Treat
Do Your Body a Favor - Quit Smoking NowThe longer you put it off, the greater the chance of long-term damage
Countdown to HealthWithin minutes of your last cigarette, your body begins reaping health rewards…20 minutes after quitting:
Kicking the habit at any age brings health benefits to nearly every system of your body, from your skin, lungs and heart to your esophagus, teeth and even your immune system. In fact, whether you’re 35 or 65, your body has the ability to reverse most tobacco-related damage within 15 years of quitting. However…the longer you wait and the more you smoke, the greater your risk for permanent harm. That’s especially true if you have a family history of smoking-related problems like skin wrinkles, infertility, heart disease, stroke, peptic ulcers, emphysema and several cancers. “Many things return to normal after you quit—for example, bronchial irritation and teeth stains go away,” says family physician Bruce Ellsweig, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “But some damage can be irreversible. And we can’t predict that, because it’s different for everyone.” For instance, many former smokers remain at higher risk for lung cancer and heart disease than nonsmokers. Toss out that pack of cigarettes now and you’ll halt further damage and begin the process of recovery (see chart below). Your blood pressure and pulse will drop to healthier levels within minutes, and respiratory symptoms will improve in a few months. After five years, your risk for dying from lung, mouth, throat or esophagus cancer will drop by 50 percent compared to those who haven’t quit. And you’re not the only one who’ll benefit. Exposure to secondhand smoke carries the same health risks as smoking, and is particularly harmful to children. So don’t wait—quit smoking today.
Need Help? To schedule an appointment or to find out more information,
call 610-402-CARE (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday). Thanks to Dianna Mulhern, tobacco treatment counselor with Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, and Cathyann Feher, R.N., health care coordinator of the Coalition for a Smoke-Free Valley, for their expertise. This page last updated 6/13/08 02:05 PM
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