In my career as a doctor, I have met countless patients who want to quit smoking. Many of them stumbled on the road to quitting smoking, but many eventually overcame their addiction and got a new life. Today, I would like to share the story of a patient whose experience has inspired not only myself but also me and many others. Mr. Chang is a long-time smoker who has been smoking since college until he was 40 years old, when he was diagnosed with early lung problems due to a routine medical check-up, which was a huge wake-up call for him. Facing the doctor, he confessed: "If you don't smoke every day, you feel uncomfortable. But he also knows that if he doesn't make changes, his health will only get worse. Mr. Zhang's journey to quitting smoking was challenging. The first few weeks were almost a nightmare for him: unsteady sleep, mood swings, and a constant feeling that something was missing. But he didn't give up, because he knew it was for his health and to be able to have more quality time with his family. Through unremitting efforts, professional guidance and the support of his family, Mr. Zhang finally quit his addiction. After quitting smoking, he noticed that he was breathing more freely and his stamina had improved significantly. Most importantly, his family has seen a difference in his life, and their quality of life has improved as a result.
Breathing more freely, lung function has improved significantly, and it is uncomfortable to feel uncomfortable without smoking every day, which is a true portrayal of many smokers. However, once you decide to quit smoking, you will find that there are so many good things in life waiting for you to experience and feel, especially those related to your health. Among the many benefits of quitting smoking, breathing is easier and lung function is significantly improved. The first stop after quitting smoking: Breathing FreedomMr. Zhang, a smoker with 20 years of smoke, was pleasantly surprised to find that the chest tightness and shortness of breath when he woke up in the morning were greatly reduced. He used to be out of breath at a little trot, but now he can easily complete a three-kilometer morning run, and this change is amazing to him. Amazing Resilience of Lung FunctionThe lungs are one of the most resilient organs in the human body. Smoking can cause inflammation in the lungs, and long-term smoking can also lead to permanent damage to lung tissue, the so-called "tobacco lung". However, after quitting smoking, the inflammation in the lungs gradually decreases and lung function begins to recover. Most encouragingly, studies have shown that even long-term smokers can significantly slow the rate of decline in lung function if they quit smoking, in line with those who have never smoked. In the early stages of quitting smoking, you may experience a process of coughing or even producing phlegm, which is actually the lungs "cleaning themselves". Over time, you'll find that your breathing becomes easier and it becomes easier to do activities that normally make you gasp.
The joy of regaining your breath is not just a physical sensation, quitting smoking can also bring you spiritual satisfaction. Mr. Zhang shared that now he can run and jump with his children without worrying about stopping to catch his breath. This ability to share happy moments with his family was something he had never imagined before. The benefits of quitting smoking won't be all immediately apparent, but each day will bring you closer to a healthy life than the day before. The recovery of the lungs is a gradual process, and over time, not only will it become easier to breathe, but it will also greatly reduce the risk of various diseases caused by smoking, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, etc. Reduced risk of cardiovascular diseaseNicotine and other harmful substances in tobacco can damage the cardiovascular system, leading to increased blood pressure and increased heart rate, and long-term smoking can also increase the risk of atherosclerosis, thereby increasing the probability of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke. But the good news is that these risks start to go down after you quit smoking. Studies have shown that the risk of heart attack can be cut in half a year after quitting smoking. Over time, this risk will continue to decrease closer to that of people who have never smoked.
Starting with a true story, let's use Mr. Li's story to understand the changes brought about by quitting smoking. Mr. Lee was a long-time smoker who smoked at least one pack a day until he experienced a minor heart attack at the age of 45. This event became a turning point in his life and prompted him to decide to quit smoking. At first, quitting smoking was challenging for Mr. Lee, but with the support of his family and doctors, he eventually managed to quit his addiction. After quitting smoking, Mr. Li not only lost weight, but also returned to normal blood pressure and heart rate. What's more, his heart function has improved dramatically, and regular check-ups have shown that his cardiovascular condition has improved dramatically compared to before he quit smoking. Today, Mr. Lee is able to enjoy a more active lifestyle without worrying about the risk of heart disease. The process of heart recovery after quitting smoking is gradual. In the early stages of quitting smoking, the body begins to repair damaged blood vessels and heart tissue. Over time, the burden on the heart will gradually decrease, and blood circulation will gradually improve. All this helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, stroke, etc.
Practical adviceFor people who want to quit smoking to improve their heart health, here are a few tips that may help: Seek professional help: A doctor or smoking cessation counselor can provide effective ways and support to quit smoking. Use smoking cessation aids: such as nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, etc.) can help relieve withdrawal symptoms. Join a support group: Joining other ex-smokers can increase the likelihood of successfully quitting. Maintain an active lifestyle: Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly will not only help you quit smoking, but also further improve your heart health. When you can really taste the aroma of coffee, the deliciousness of pizza, or even the freshness of flowers and dew mixed in the morning air? If these memories are blurry to you, then quitting smoking may make you regain this wonderful feeling that you have not felt for a long time. Let me tell you a story. There was a patient, let's call him Mr. Zhang, who used to be a smoker for more than 10 years. When Mr. Zhang came to me for advice on quitting smoking, one of the reasons he said stood out to me. He said he began to notice that he had a harder time feeling the taste of food at family gatherings, and that even his favorite spicy chicken became tasteless. This frustrated him.
After Mr. Zhang quit smoking, he was surprised by the changes that took place. Not just because he managed to quit smoking, but he found himself regaining his ability to perceive food. About a month after quitting smoking, he began to notice that the aroma of coffee was no longer a single bitterness, but contained rich layers, and the sweetness of the fruit was more distinct, and even the home-cooked food had a different flavor. The damage to taste and smell caused by smoking occurs gradually, and many people are not aware of it when they are under the control of their addiction. The harmful chemicals in tobacco can damage sensory cells in the mouth and nasal cavity, leading to a weakened sense of taste and smell. But the good news is that the damage is largely reversible. After quitting smoking, these sensory cells can be repaired, and the sense of taste and smell is gradually restored. So, what does the recovery process look like? Usually, people start to notice changes within a few weeks of quitting smoking. The first is the improvement of the sense of smell, followed by the improvement of the sense of taste. For many, it's a step-by-step process, but it's definitely something to look forward to. This change not only means that food is tastier, but more importantly, it can significantly improve the quality of life. Imagine being able to enjoy dinner with your family more deeply and be able to rediscover the taste of those foods and drinks you once enjoyed.