Photo courtesy of Kaiser Permanente.
Have you thought about kicking the nicotine habit to improve your health and reduce your chances of acquiring lung cancer or heart failure?
If you’re looking for extra motivation, then consider quitting smoking during the Great American Smokeout that takes place this Thursday, Nov. 21. Doing so won’t only improve your health, but it will also reverse years of likely damage done to your heart and lungs.
When it comes to giving up the nicotine habit, naturally, you may say that’s easier said than done, as giving up smoking can seem to be a daunting task. You may also think that it’s too late to quit smoking and reverse years of impact on your health.
The truth is to the contrary: no matter your age or how long you’ve been smoking, quitting will improve your health both immediately and over the long term, according to the American Cancer Society.
It’s true that quitting smoking requires strong will and an understanding that the journey to wellness can be challenging. But the rewards to your health are indisputable, and you’re more likely to quit with a good plan and support.
In fact, the American Cancer Society notes getting help through counseling and medications doubles or even triples your chances of quitting successfully.
“It’s a known fact that cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States,” said Dr. Mitika Kanabar, Addiction Medicine, with Pasadena-based Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “That’s why deciding to quit smoking will likely be one of the most important decisions you will make.”
According to the American Cancer Society, smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports smoking causes about one of every five deaths in the United States each year, which amounts to more than 480,000 deaths annually (including deaths from secondhand smoke).
“If you smoke, please know that it’s never too late to quit,” said Dr. Kanabar, noting your body is likely to immediately begin repairing the damage caused by smoking over the years.
According to the CDC, after you’ve smoked your last cigarette, your body begins a series of positive changes that continue for years. For example, the CDC notes within minutes of quitting smoking, the heart rate decreases, and within 24 hours the nicotine level in blood drops to zero.
Additionally, within one to two years after quitting smoking, the risk of a heart attack drops sharply. After three to six years, the added risk of coronary heart disease drops by half. After 10 years, the added risk of lung cancer drops by half. And after 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease drops to close to that of someone who has never smoked.
Quitting smoking can also lessen or delay loss of lung function and slow down the progress of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the CDC. If you already have heart disease, quitting can lower your risk of dying prematurely, getting a new type of heart disease, or having a new or repeat heart attack.
As for women who are pregnant, quitting as early as possible can help protect them against health problems for their developing babies, such as being born too small or too early, Dr. Kanabar said.
To have the best chance of quitting and remaining smokefree, it’s best to know what to expect, what your options are, what tools and quit-smoking medicines are available to you, and where to go for help, according to Dr. Kanabar.
“Quitting smoking is a journey,” Dr. Kanabar noted. “It can be difficult, but not impossible, and you can increase your chances of success with a good plan and support.”
Kaiser Permanente offers important advice and information related to smoking and the benefits of quitting.