In China, where smog permeates every corner of society, smoking has long become a common phenomenon, like a small spark swaying in the wind everywhere. However, as people's health concerns continue to rise, more and more people are beginning to understand the urgency of quitting smoking, just as the first rays of sunlight in the morning gradually break through the fog. Quitting smoking is not only a change in attitude towards life, but also a revolution within the body.
Lungs: From "haze" to "clear sky"
Imagine that your lungs are like a city, and tobacco is the smog. If you smoke for a long time, your lungs will be shrouded in this haze, making it difficult to breathe and your function will decline. But when you quit smoking, the smog begins to dissipate, and your lungs seem to have a clear sky that you haven't seen for a long time. Studies have shown that after 24 hours of quitting smoking, blood carbon monoxide levels drop and oxygen levels rise, and after 30 days, lung function improves significantly, and cough and wheezing symptoms decrease.
Heart: From "congested" to "unblocked"
Smoking makes the blood contain more carbon monoxide, which is like a barrier in the way of blood supply to the heart, causing the heart to work harder, and in the long run, the heart will be "congested". After quitting smoking, the burden on the heart is reduced and blood circulation becomes more unimpeded. According to the Journal of the American Heart Association, the risk of coronary heart disease can be reduced by 50% after one year of quitting smoking.
Blood vessels: from "aging" to "rejuvenation"
The harmful substances in tobacco cause blood vessels to constrict and accelerate the aging of blood vessels. Quitting smoking is like a "younger" maintenance of blood vessels, which become flexible and elastic again. According to a study in The Lancet, after five years of quitting smoking, the risk of stroke can be reduced to the same level as that of non-smokers.
Case Study: Wang's Smoking Cessation Story
Lao Wang is a veteran smoker who has experienced 30 years of spring and autumn and spent time in smoke. The years are like smoke, and the passage of time seems to jump among the smoke clouds, leaving behind the smoky memories of Lao Wang's life. A pack of cigarettes a day has become an indispensable part of his life, like the ship of life setting sail, and the smoke fills his daily life, leisurely. However, as he grew older, Wang began to feel breathless and could not breathe after walking a few steps. The doctor told him it was all the result of long-term smoking. With the encouragement of his family, Lao Wang firmly determined to say goodbye to the smoke, as if facing the breeze, and his heart stirred with a wave of courage and determination to take the journey of quitting smoking. For the first few days, he felt restless, but after persevering, he found that his breathing was getting smoother and his stamina had improved significantly. After 30 days, Wang seemed to have a new lease of life, saying: "I can now run and play with my grandson, which is something I have dreamed of for many years." ”
Testimony of Western medicine classics
Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
According to Harrison Internal Medicine1, quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD, like the sparkling waters of a lake, is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, like ripples in the water of a lake, where inflammation of the lungs and airways dilate are gradually revealed. Long-term smoking is a major risk factor for COPD, and quitting smoking can significantly slow down the disease progression, just like moistening the soil to nourish flowers and plants, improve lung function, and reduce the risk of acute exacerbations.
Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease is like avoiding a reef and getting out of danger, and it is like taking care of your health and protecting your body from harm.
Williams Hematology2 emphasizes that giving up smoking can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, just like a fresh breeze in a river, indulging in a swim and relieving the body and mind. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and smoking is closely related to the occurrence of a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. After quitting smoking, blood carbon monoxide levels decrease, oxygen levels rise, vascular endothelial function improves, and platelet aggregation decreases, all of which are as warm and comfortable as the first rays of the morning sun, helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Other health benefits
There are many more health benefits to quitting smoking. For example, quitting smoking can reduce the risk of lung cancer and many other cancersSmoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer, and after quitting smoking, the risk of lung cancer gradually decreases over time. Quitting smoking can also improve oral health and reduce the risk of periodontal disease and oral cancer. For reproductive health, quitting smoking can improve fertility in women and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and fetal development problems.
Quitting smoking is a process of fighting against oneself, and it requires perseverance and determination. But when you stick around and see these wonderful changes happening in your body, you'll find that it's all worth it. Let's use a familiar metaphor for Chinese, comparing the process of quitting smoking to a "big cleaning" of the body, removing the "dust" brought by tobacco and rejuvenating the body. Remember, every step to quit smoking is a big step towards a healthy life. Let's take action together to welcome a healthier and happier version of ourselves!
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