There is no question that creating a quit smoking timeline can be very challenging. Without a doubt though, should you succeed in following your quit smoking timeline, you will be able to get back on the road to better health similar to a non-smoker’s condition. Basically it won’t not matter how long you have been smoking.
According to the National Cancer institute, what matters is that you have decided on quitting smoking now. Should you stop smoking at age 30, chances of premature death from smoking induced diseases will have been reduced by 9%. Quitting smoking at age 50 on the other hand reduces the same type of risk by as much as 50% as against smokers who never stopped or get on a quit smoking timeline.
As of 2008, the Journal of the American Medical Association printed an analyzed version of the Nurse’s Health Study which monitored 121,700 female registered nurses since 1976. The ages of the female nurses ranged from 30 to 55 and were residents of the United States. The study focused on the mortality rate of smokers, former smokers, and non-smokers. Non-smokers in this study refer to those who have never tried cigarettes before in their life.
According to the study, majority of the women who quit smoking observed reasonable health benefits after five years within the quit smoking timeline. The same study also revealed that those who did not get on a quit smoking timeline and continued to smoke increased their chances of dying of smoking related diseases, like lung cancer, stroke, and coronary heart disease, by as much as 20 times the normal. Former smokers on the other hand who quit smoking reduced the risk to only five times as likely. Let us take a look at the health benefits of getting on a quit smoking timeline with focus on the long-term benefits of quitting smoking.
• In the same manner that smoking side effects are seen on smokers, quit smoking side effects can also been seen on former smokers and those who get on a quit smoking timeline. These side effects are manifested as symptoms or nicotine withdrawal syndromes on majority of people who quit smoking. The most common symptom which occurs with 70% of people who quit smoking is, not surprising, cravings for a cigarette. Poor concentration, depression, and restlessness on the other hand are experienced by about 60% of smokers who get on a quit smoking timeline. Lightheadedness, sleep disturbances, aggression, and irritability are other smoking withdrawal symptoms that can be experienced and are usually the reasons why some smokers find it difficult quitting smoking.
• Long-term benefits from quitting smoking can usually be observed after five years. At this stage of the quit smoking timeline increased appetite has already been consistently observed. The risk of stroke has also been reduced similar to a non-smoker’s risk factor. This means that is already increased blood circulation and better heart condition with the reduction of the risk of coronary heart diseases. This of course does not discount the other health benefits already achieved by the former smoker prior to reaching the five-year mark. Cue induced crave episodes which are the common fear of smokers should already be non-existent at this point with the former smoker also exhibiting better mental function.
• With the continued commitment to stop smoking, the former smoker gets additional health benefits upon reaching 10 years of the quit smoking timeline. At this stage, the now non-smoker has drastically reduced his risk of pancreatic cancer and other types of cancer to half compared to those who continue smoking. This means that risk mouth cancer, lung, throat, bladder, kidney, and esophagus is also reduced greatly. This means that the risk of developing lung cancer which is a common fear of smokers is already lowered. The common risk of ulcers is likewise lowered to levels similar to a non-smoker’s condition. At this point of the quit smoking timeline the body has already complete brought back to health majority of the organs which have been affected by the smoking habit. Your commitment to pursue the quit smoking timeline also provides you with the additional benefits of quitting smoking regardless your age.
• The possibility cannot be discounted that despite passing the 10-year mark of the quit smoking timeline, some people may still succumb to nicotine withdrawal tendencies. For those who have built the self-control and confidence to stop smoking will gain additional health benefits once they hit the 15-year mark as a former smoker. During this point of the quit smoking timeline it can be observed that the risk of coronary heart disease will be at a point similar to a non-smoker’s. This means the risk of developing heart disease, risk of heart attack, and even stroke will be the same as the chances of those who have never lit a cigarette before in their life. Death from smoking related diseases are also placed at a level almost the same as those who have never smoked and greatly higher than those who never quit smoking.
• At the 20-year mark of the quit smoking timeline, the risk of getting smoking related diseases drops to normal levels similar to a non-smoker’s chances. This means that cancer, heart attack, stroke, and emphysema among others will be quite unlikely compared to those who still continue to smoke. For women, the 20-year mark of the quit smoking timeline offers additional health benefits. At this point, the risk of dying from smoking associated diseases is almost negligible and remains at the same risk factor as a woman who has never lit a cigarette in their life.
It is common knowledge that cigarettes have a substantial impact on the daily life of both smokers and non-smokers alike. Shortness of breath, poor sense of taste and smell, as well as other smoking side effects are greatly observed. For better personal hygiene and overall health, getting on a quit smoking timeline is the best option for you.
