This was on the Open Marine Forum and IMHO it also belongs here.
The Respiratory Therapist in me wanted to post this info for you guys.
It makes me proud when people stop smoking. I was a smoker from 13-25. I smoked 2 packs a day of Marb. Reds. I quit cold turkey. It was one of the hardest things I had to do. You will find yourself coughing a lot. This is your little cilia starting to work again.
If you are trying to quit and fall back to smoking don't get down on yourself. You can do it when you are ready.
What happens when you quit smoking?
TIME AFTER QUIT SMOKING DESCRIPTIONS
20 minutes Your blood pressure drops to normal.
Your pulse rate drops to normal.
Your body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal.
8 hours The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
The oxygen level in your blood increases to normal.
24 hours The chance of a heart attack decreases.
48 hours The nerve endings start regrowing.
Your ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
2 weeks to 3 months Your circulation improves.
Walking becomes easier for you.
Your lung function increases up to 30 percent.
1 to 9 months The coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease.
Cilia regrows in your lungs, increasing ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection.
Your body's overall energy increases.
1 year The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
5 years The lung-cancer death rate for an average former smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half.
Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker 5-15 years after quitting.
The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker's.
10 years The lung-cancer death rate is similar to that of a non-smokers.
The pre-cancerous cells are replaced.
The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.
15 years The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker.
SECOND HAND
Notice to Readers: Publication of Surgeon General's Report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke
The Surgeon General's report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke (1), was released on June 27, 2006. The report is an evaluation and synthesis of evidence regarding the health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke. An update of the 1986 report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking, the report also adds information regarding secondhand smoke to the smoking and health database developed for the 2004 report, The Health Consequences of Smoking; the database is available at http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco.
The six major conclusions of the latest report are as follows:
Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and in adults who do not smoke.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma. Smoking by parents causes respiratory symptoms and slows lung growth in their children.
Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer.
The scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
Many millions of Americans, both children and adults, are still exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces despite substantial progress in tobacco control.
Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. Separating smokers from nonsmokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate exposures of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke.
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From: ADenard
Thanks for posting that Renee. I smoked 18 - 31 or so. Quit for 7 years. Smoked for one. Quit for one. Smoked for 6 months and now have been quit since my B-Day March 25th. It was the same day as my daughters 12 year B-Day party. Let's see.....15 11,12,13 year old, roller skating for the first time in at least 15 years and the first day not smoking....not the brightest bulb in the box apparently. Thanks for the added motivation.
-usmcholmans
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From: Lori
Thanks, Miss Renee, for posting this on the 20th! Today is my 18-month Quit anniversary!
Smoke-free: 546 days
Cigarettes not smoked: 21,849
Money saved: $3,822.00
Lifetime saved: 5 months, 16 days, 20 hours
WOO-HOO!
Now, David...YOUR TURN!
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From: Renee
Way to go!!
My uncle finally quit after 42 years. He had a heart attack. I am very proud for him.
I see people daily that are very sick. It has a profound impact on you when a 60 year old man is weaping asking you if you smoke. He lived through Korea. He died before Chris and I were married and he wanted to attend. It is the reason I quit.
Keep up the great work! You too Mark!
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From: SgtG27
Good grief Renee, you used to smoke cowboy killers? Wow...you really ARE a Marine wife!
Congrats on staying the course Lori and Mark!