Treatment

Motivational Factors

Listed below are some motivational facts from the American Heart Association on how your body recovers after your last cigarette.

Within 20 minutes:

• You stop polluting the air
• Blood pressure returns to normal
• Pulse rate drops to normal rate
• Temperature of hands and feet increase to normal

Within 8 hours:

• Carbon Monoxide level in blood drops to normal rate
• Oxygen level in blood increases to normal

Within 24 hours:

• Chance of heart attack decreases

Within 48 hours:

• Nerve endings adjust to the absence of nicotine
• Ability to smell and taste is enhanced

Within 72 hours:

• Bronchial tubes relax, making breathing easier
• Lung capacity increases

Within 2 weeks to 3 months:

• Circulation improves
• Walking becomes easier
• Lung function increases up to 30%

Within 1 to 9 months:

• Coughing, sinus congestions, fatigue and shortness of breath all decrease
• Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection
• Body's overall energy level increases

1 year:

• Heart disease death rate is halfway back to that of a nonsmoker

10 years:

• Lung cancer death rates drop
• Precancerous cells are replaced
• Incidence of other cancers--mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas--decreases