I have quit smoking. How to assess the damage that may have been caused when I smoked?

freemind
#1. May 3rd, 2008, at 5:40 PM.

You need to go and see a doctor.. he would take a X-ray of your chest and see if there are any patches in your lungs…you need to eat healthy and exercise to get back in shape completely…

benconsult
#2. May 4th, 2008, at 6:32 PM.

Studies seem to show that you can become almost (but not quite) back to the health risks of never-smokers. There are a lot of statistics available at the American Lung Association:

It takes several years of non-smoking to get there — but by quitting now, you’re on your way — good for you! I found a good resource for motivation and information here:

You can get a full body scan, but you’d probably be best served by a full checkup by your GP.

Below is a great information table from:

When smokers quit, within twenty minutes of smoking that last cigarette the body begins a series of changes.

At 20 minutes after quitting:

* blood pressure decreases
* pulse rate drops
* body temperature of hands and feet increases

At 8 hours:

* carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
* oxygen level in blood increases to normal

At 24 hours:

* chance of a heart attack decreases

At 48 hours:

* nerve endings start regrowing
* ability to smell and taste is enhanced

The first year after quitting:

At 2 weeks to 3 months:

* circulation improves
* walking becomes easier
* lung function increases

1 to 9 months:

* coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decreases

1 year:

* excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker

Long-term Benefits of Quitting

At 5 years:

* from 5 to 15 years after quitting, stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked.

At 10 years:

* risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half that of continuing smokers
* risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases
* risk of ulcer decreases

At 15 years:

* risk of coronary heart disease is now similar to that of people who have never smoked
* risk of death returns to nearly the level of people who have never smoked

Gran Gran
#3. May 5th, 2008, at 4:41 PM.

First of all congratulations on quitting smoking! It is unrealistic to go to the doctor assuming you have damage. No doctor will order tests on a hunch. The minute you stop smoking your body starts healing itself. Unfortunately the damage you have wreaked on your body may not show up for 20 years.

It is more realistic to go to the doctor and asked for a healthy living plan and a physical.

Good luck!
G.G.

at a snail’s pace
#4. May 8th, 2008, at 12:09 PM.

a doctor could tell you what’s going on in your lungs. he/she could take an x-ray, listen to your breathing, etc. I can’t promise you it’ll be 100% reversable. you did, after all, smoke for 8 years. If you don’t think you’ve experienced any ill-effects, you’re in for a real surprise. Once your cravings are gone, you’ll start to feel even better than you did before. You’ll feel like a new person, and you’ll smell a heck of a lot better. Eat right, excercise, and maybe try something to whiten your teeth. I credit you for giving it up. I hope your results are good from the dr.

poteryaniy much
#5. May 10th, 2008, at 2:15 PM.

If you smoked that per day, then you might have some damage I would think. To check I would ask your doctor. He may send you to mri or something - stuff they do to check for lung cancer would be good.

I also heard that each day you don’t smoke, your lungs begin to recover. You may never know how much they recover. But I guarantee you will feel better.