5 Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking

5 Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking

Smoking negatively impacts one’s health in many ways. It increases one’s susceptibility to developing grave disorders like heart disease and cancer. It can also be responsible for one’s early death. Though these risks are an incredible incentive to quit, smoking cessation is not easy. It can result in many withdrawal symptoms, such as intense nicotine cravings, headaches, and irritability. While quitting can be challenging, here are a few benefits of quitting smoking:

Improves respiratory health
One of the primary benefits of smoking cessation is improved lung health. When one stops smoking, the probability of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) declines. COPD is a dangerous condition that results in blocked airways, making breathing challenging for an individual.

Moreover, people with asthma who smoke will also significantly benefit by quitting smoking, as it lowers the symptoms associated with the condition. Also, when one stops smoking, one responds to the treatments better, which, in turn, improves one’s lung function. Lastly, smoking cessation will also help ease other respiratory difficulties one endured, such as coughing, breathing issues, and wheezing.

Improves heart health
Smoking is one of the primary causes of heart disease and heart attacks. However, such risks can be reversed by quitting smoking. It helps lower heart rate and blood pressure, lowering one’s risk of heart attack. In addition, smoking cessation makes the blood thinner, making it less susceptible to forming clots. Hence, the heart will have less work to do, as it can easily transport the blood around the body.

Reduces the risk of cancer
Lung cancer is one of the major causes of death among men and women in the country. When one stops smoking, the probability of developing lung cancer declines significantly. Moreover, smoking is also one of the top risk factors for mouth and throat cancers. By quitting, one keeps one’s mouth and throat safe. Smoking also damages the nerve endings in one’s nose and mouth, dulling one’s sense of taste and smell. Within the first 48 hours of quitting smoking, these nerves begin to regrow, improving one’s sense of taste and smell.

Further, smoking cessation spares several other body organs from cancer. One’s probability of developing cervical cancer also declines. The same is also true for colon, kidney, and liver cancer.

Improves hearing, vision, skin, and breath
When one quits smoking, one eventually starts hearing sharper. Even a mild hearing disorder can result in grave problems. For instance, one may take instructions wrong and spoil the assigned task. Quitting also helps improve one’s night and overall vision, as smoking tends to damage the eyes.

Further, when one spends a few days without smoking, one’s breath will smell fresher. Lastly, smoking cessation works better than anti-aging lotions. Quitting smoking clears blemishes from one’s skin and guards the skin from wrinkles and premature aging.

Breaks addiction cycle
When one stops smoking, it rewires the brain and helps break the addiction cycle. In only 30 days of cessation, many nicotine receptors in the brain will return to normal levels. Thus, the addiction cycle breaks.