Health benefits of stopping smoking.

[Andyvon]

I smoked for 31 years and I stopped nearly 5 years ago. I feel completely different, healthy, more money etc and I think I've now beaten it. However, I have now progressed from the 'hope it doesn't happen to me' point to the 'what the hell did I do to myself' way of thinking.

I have been wondering about my chances of now developing smoking-related diseases compared to someone who has never smoked. I have heard that a smoker's chance of developing heart disease reduces to the same as a non-smoker after about 12 months, as do mouth and throat cancer. However, I also believe that it takes about 15 years for the chances of lung cancer to diminish to the same! Can I take it that I am still at high risk of that then? Then there are other conditions such as emphasema etc. God - why did I ever touch them?

I know these things depends on individuals and their diets and lifestyles etc. I have meant to ask my GP when I have seen him but we have always been talking about something else. Does anyone have any clearer ideas of how the risks reductions with time and when an ex-smoker can expect the same risks as someone who never smoked?

[Loosehead]

Firstly well done!

You are still at a higher risk than you would have been if you'd never smoked howeever it's a curve and it is estimated that after 10 years in most people you would be 99% of what you would have been had you never smoked. There's probably a graph some where but I would say that after 5 years you would be getting on for 90% of what you would have been had you never smoked. The body has remarkable recuperative powers if you let it and it will undo the damage you did for those 31 years. Well done again and welcome to the "clean" world.

[Andyvon]

Thank you both of you - I am chuffed. I think I can honestly say that stopping smoking was the second hardest thing I have ever done in my life. The hardest thing I have ever done - is stay stopped! (I have met many people who stopped but who started again).

I have put on about 2 and a half stone in weight. That won't go - but I reckon that's a fair trade and at least I have a whole load of new clothes!
I love the clean world Loosehead. I can remember my first experience of smelling blossom and flowers when I was 40. I started smoking when I was 9 and I didn't know there was a world of smell and fragrance. I also realise that the things I had put down to age - aching legs, tiredness, breathlessness etc were actually smoking effects as they have now gone!

Thanks for welcoming me to the clean and non-smoking world! I just feel upset when I see kids smoking now.

[Andyvon]

I've got to agree with you No.10. It was just will power - I didn't bother with the patches or anything. I actually set a date five months ahead and by the time it arrived I couldn't wait to stop. That was my key but it's different for everyone. I really don't want to know about smoking now.

Tobacco suppresses the appetite and when you stop smoking you get peckish. I've never been a drinker so that's no problem and I walk a minimum of six miles a day. I usually leave the car at home now unless I am collecting a lot of shopping or something. If its raining I put on a coat.

The main problem is my eating habit or pattern. I got used over the years to only eating once a day at tea time and I'm still doing that now. We also eat a fair amount of fruit too but that is in the evenings.I know it's smaller meals and often. As you say, I stopped smoking so I can change the eating habit too. Then I'll have to buy a lot more new clothes!

I'm impressed with you losing 3 stone. I hope you do lose the extra one by Xmas. Thanks for the answer and have a good Xmas.

Andy.