Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis, according to Dr. Mai Manh Tam from the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi. Many smokers are aware of these risks but continue to smoke, believing that not everyone who smokes will get sick.
However, quitting smoking can offer numerous health benefits. After just 20 minutes of quitting smoking, the heart rate and blood pressure return to normal. Nicotine in cigarettes stimulates the production of adrenaline, which makes the heart beat faster and increases blood pressure. Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and leading to fatigue and weakness. By quitting smoking, these effects can be reversed.
Smokers often experience coughing and produce more phlegm than non-smokers, with decreased ability to clear it from the respiratory tract. Symptoms of cough and shortness of breath tend to improve after quitting smoking for 1-9 months. The body begins to recover respiratory and circulatory functions after 2-12 weeks without smoking. Quitting smoking can also help prevent other health problems such as coronary heart disease and various types of cancer including lung cancer.
While quitting smoking offers numerous health benefits, many people struggle with nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, weight gain or loss, increased appetite or decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting, headaches or dizziness, chest pain or palpitations.
It is important to understand the benefits of quitting smoking
