Ride With Kirk

I once again have stopped smoking. I sure feel like I am getting better at quiting all the time. Unfortunately it seems like I have been good at starting again too. Well this time will be different!

I found these on my computer and thought I would post them here.

The benefits of stopping smoking include:

After 20 minutes

• Blood pressure and pulse are normalized, blood circulation increases.

After 8 hours

• The level of carbon monoxide in the blood falls.

After 48 hours

• Carbon monoxide from smoke and nicotine have disappeared completely.

After 2-3 days

• Less or no phlegm in the throat, fewer breathing difficulties.

After 5-7 days

• Your senses of taste and smell will improve, your breath is fresher, your teeth are cleaner and your energy levels higher.

After 2-3 weeks

• Physical withdrawal symptoms will stop, and you can now go several hours without thinking about smoking. Your risk of blood clots (thrombosis ) is reduced.

After 4 weeks

• Coughing, blocked sinuses and breathing difficulties should disappear. Less fatigue. More energy. The lungs are better able to resist infection.

After 2-3 months

• Lung function improves by 5 per cent.

After 1 year

• The risk of developing cardiovascular disease is halved.

After 2-3 years

• The risk of developing severe pneumonia or flu is the same as for a non-smoker. Your risk of heart disease, angina (chest pains) and stroke continues to fall.

After 5 years

• The risk of throat, esophageal and bladder cancer is halved.

After 5-10 years

• The risk of developing cardiovascular disease or thrombosis (blood clots) is the same as for a non-smoker.

After 10 years

• The risk of lung cancer is halved. The risk of developing osteoporosis decreases.

After 15-20 years

• The risk of lung, throat, esophageal or bladder cancer is the same as for a non-smoker. But heavy smokers (20 a day) have double the risk of lung cancer for the rest of their lives.