Lungs and cardiovascular system So fast the body regenerates after quitting smoking

Stay away from cigarettes: quitting smoking can extend life

Smoking is known to be associated with significant health risks. Nevertheless, millions of Germans still regularly take their cigarettes. Health experts therefore repeatedly point out how much the body can benefit from stopping smoking.

Tobacco consumption puts your health at risk

"Smoking is a major health risk and the leading cause of premature mortality," writes the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Among other things, tobacco use favors twelve types of cancer such as lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer, cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis), chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD (smoker's lung).

Tobacco use increases the risk of cancer, lung and cardiovascular diseases. Experts explain how quickly the body benefits from stopping smoking. (Image: Knut Wiarda / fotolia.com)

Good reasons for smoking cessation

There are many good reasons for giving up smoking. Although some smokers can stop more easily, most people find it very difficult to quit smoking.

Smokers need a firm will to get out of their addiction. Experts say cold withdrawal is the best way to stop smoking.

The fact that it pays off to overcome the "inner pig" and to keep the fingers of cigarettes, also show scientific research.

For example, South Korean researchers recently reported that heart and blood vessels in particular benefit from smoking cessation.

Successes shortly after smoking cessation

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) points out on its website to other good reasons why the body does well to quit smoking:

"Just three days after the last cigarette improves the function of the respiratory tract," write the experts. In addition, the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are also reduced.

"Already one week after a stop smoking the blood pressure drops. Two years after a smoking cessation, an ex-smoker has almost the same risk of cardiovascular disease as a non-smoker for life, "explains the DKFZ.

The success of a drug treatment for cardiovascular diseases will be improved.

But that's not all: "Within a few years after smoking cessation, the risk of illness for most tobacco-related cancers has dropped significantly - the sooner the person stops smoking, the more effectively the risk of illness can be reduced."

According to the experts, an ex-smoker has only half the risk of lung cancer ten years after smoking cessation, as if he had continued to smoke permanently.

In addition, people who leave the fingers of cigarettes, look healthier: "After a smoking stop the discoloration of the teeth disappear, the skin is smoother and gets a fresher appearance, the unpleasant smell of hair and clothing disappears," said the DKFZ.

And: "Ex-smokers become physically fitter, healthier and are more resilient."

Extended life expectancy

It is never too late to quit smoking: "Quitting is worthwhile at any age - no matter how much and how long you have smoked," writes the DKFZ elsewhere.

"The health benefits of quitting smoking are immense at any age. If you stop smoking, you can extend your life expectancy by an average of 10 years, "say the experts.

In addition, the quality of life is significantly improved because the agonizing symptoms of secondary diseases of smoking (heart disease, COPD, cancer, etc.) are avoided. (Ad)