The health benefits of quitting smoking start almost immediately, making it one of the fastest ways to improve overall health, according to an expert at ThedaCare.
Consider this information from the American Cancer Society, said Renee Wolf, a health coach with ThedaCare who works with people to help them stop smoking. “Within the first few minutes after quitting, your heart rate drops. Within 24 hours to a few days, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in your blood drop to normal.”
Those are just the immediate effects. One to 12 months after quitting, a person may experience less coughing and shortness of breath. “In the years that follow, your health may continue to improve. You can decrease your risk for heart attack, heart disease and many types of cancer, to name just a few health benefits.”
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. It’s an opportunity for people to plan to quit smoking for good, Wolf said.
“Quitting smoking isn’t easy,” she said. “But with the right resources and support in place, it’s within reach.”
Success Through Support
In providing resources through ThedaCare and the American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking program, Wolf has seen firsthand the power of what people can accomplish.
“I worked with someone who quit for the first time after they had smoked for over 20 years and tried everything,” she said. “Working with them, they were able to quit and stay tobacco free.”
Wolf highlighted several important aspects of smoking cessation, emphasizing that its health benefits extend beyond reducing the risk of lung cancer.
“When you think of the biggest health risks associated with smoking, lung cancer may come to mind first. Of course, smoking is the biggest risk for developing lung cancer,” Wolf said. “The benefits of quitting don’t stop there. Quitting smoking decreases your risk for developing many diseases and conditions.”
Some of those conditions include but are not limited to:
- Cancer: acute myeloid leukemia, bladder, cervical, colorectal, esophageal, kidney, liver, lung, oral, pancreatic, stomach and throat cancer
- Lung disease: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, asthma and pulmonary fibrosis
- Heart and vascular disease: heart attack, stroke and heart failure
- Fertility issues
- Type 2 diabetes
- Premature aging
When people quit smoking, they’ll help improve their health and their life in general, Wolf said. That was the case with an individual she helped quit the habit.
“They mentioned within the first month they could breathe better, their taste buds changed in a good way and they didn’t smell like tobacco,” Wolf said. “They no longer need to worry about showering and changing before seeing their grandkids.”
According to the ACA, quitting smoking can save a pack-a-day smoker up to $3,650 a year, help protect others from secondhand smoke, restore a normal sense of smell, improve the smell of breath, hair and clothes, prevent further yellowing of teeth and fingernails, and help make everyday activities easier by reducing shortness of breath.
And there is no safe smoking alternative. All tobacco and nicotine are unsafe. These include e-cigarettes, pipes, cigars, hookahs, heat-not-burn cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Many of these products contain the same harmful chemicals as cigarettes, according to the ACS.
Help is Available
When it comes to quitting, support often makes all the difference, Wolf said.
“Seeking the help of a health professional can dramatically increase the odds of success,” Wolf said. “That could be working with your primary care physician or enrolling in our smoking cessation program.”
People who receive a combination of counseling and medication are the most likely to successfully quit smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Stopping at any age can lead to immediate and long-term health benefits. People who quit smoking can add as much as 10 years to their life, according to the ACS.
Current and former smokers should follow the guidelines for lung cancer screening, which is done through a low-dose CT scan.
According to the American Lung Association, people may be eligible for lung cancer screening if they are between 50 and 80 years old, have a 20 pack-year smoking history, and either currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
“Quitting can feel daunting,” Wolf said. “The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. Connect to support and resources to see what a difference they can make for you.”
For more information on smoking cessation, email quitnicotine@thedacare.org or call 920-454-7912.
