I lost the thread somewhere around here, but I meant to reply to what Sooz said about your body's being miraculous and healing itself. It reminded me of these facts that I had read before about the benefits of quitting, which begin within the first 20 minutes!
Ever wonder what happens to your body the moment you stop smoking?
Within 20 minutes of smoking that last cigarette, the body begins a series of changes that continues for years.
20 MINUTESBlood pressure drops to normal. Pulse rate drops to normal. Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal.
8 HOURSCarbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal. Oxygen level in blood increases to normal.
24 HOURSChance of heart attack decreases.
48 HOURSNerve endings start regrowing. Ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHSCirculation improves. Walking becomes easier. Lung function increases up to 30%.
1 TO 9 MONTHSCoughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease. Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection. Body's overall energy increases.
1 YEARExcess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
5 YEARSLung cancer death rate for average smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half. Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 years after quitting. Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker's.
10 YEARSLung cancer death rate similar to that of nonsmokers. Precancerous cells are replaced. Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.
15 YEARSRisk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.
What Are Some Rewards of Quit Smoking!
Immediate Rewards Within 12 hours after you have your last cigarette, your body will begin to heal itself. The levels of carbon monoxide and nicotine in your system will decline rapidly, and your heart and lungs will begin to repair the damage caused by cigarette smoke.
Within a few days you will probably begin to notice some remarkable changes in your body. Your sense of smell and taste may improve. You will breathe easier, and your smoker's hack will begin to disappear, although you may notice that you will continue to cough for a while. And you will be free from the mess, smell, inconvenience, expense, and dependence of cigarette smoking.
Immediate Effects As your body begins to repair itself, instead of feeling better right away, you may feel worse for a while. It's important to understand that healing is a process; it begins immediately, but it continues over time. These "withdrawal pangs" are really symptoms of the recovery process.
Immediately after quitting, many ex-smokers experience "symptoms of recovery" such as temporary weight gain caused by fluid retention, irregularity, and dry, sore gums or tongue. You may feel edgy, hungry, more tired, and more short-tempered than usual and have trouble sleeping and notice that you are coughing a lot. These symptoms are the result of your body clearing itself of nicotine, a powerful addictive chemical. Most nicotine is gone from the body in 2-3 days.
Long-range Benefits It is important to understand that the long range after-effects of quitting are only temporary and signal the beginning of a healthier life. Now that you've quit, you've added a number of healthy productive days to each year of your life. Most important, you've greatly improved your chances for a longer life. You have significantly reduced your risk of death from heart disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and several kinds of cancerp;not just lung cancer. (Cigarette smoking is responsible every year for approximately 130,000 deaths from cancer, 170,000 deaths from heart disease, and 50,000 deaths from lung disease.)
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Although reducing your chances of premature death and illness is important, they aren't the only benefits of quitting smoking. Think of the money you will save by not having to buy tobacco, lighters, ashtrays, matches and so on. Your costs for cleaning clothes, carpets, and furniture may go down. The re-sale value of your car and house may go up. Your clothes may last longer (no chance of accidentally burning a hole). Your life and house insurance premiums may go down. Your sense of taste and smell will be enhanced. You will enjoy your food more. You will look and feel younger. Smoking causes wrinkling and the appearance of premature aging. You will have more energy to do the things you love. No more yellow teeth or fingers. You'll feel proud of your ability to overcome something so challenging. Many smokers remember the exact day they quit because it is a source of great pride. Cigarettes will no longer control your life. You will be setting a great example for children and other smokers. No need to worry about which restaurant you go to or whether you can smoke in a particular place. No more looks of disapproval or feelings of guilt. No more nagging from people asking when you're going to quit. This was found here: