Why You Should Quit Smoking

If you smoke tobacco, there are many reasons to quit. We all know that smoking can cause lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease among other health problems – yet many of us still smoke. The benefits from quitting are huge and quitters see results immediately. Even just a half hour after you quit you will reap the rewards of living tobacco-free. The more time you remain smoke-free, the more exponential those benefits become.

Quitting can keep improve your health significantly, free up spending money, help stabilize your mood – and even affect you in ways you may have overlooked. Quit smoking ASAP to see improvements in your everyday life today. Below is a list of 5 undeniable advantages from being smoke free.

You will Live Longer

Smoking can reduce your life expectancy. To stop will give you a new chance to live longer and stay healthier. Smoking is perhaps one of the worst habits you can do to harm your body over time. The Surgeon General states that smoking causes damage to almost every organ in the body.

Statistics from the American Cancer Society show that approximately 50% of all smokers who continue smoking will die from a smoke related disease. The number one killer caused by smoking is Cancer. Smoking is directly related to 15 forms of cancer including lung disease and heart disease. People who are able to quit smoking by the age of 50 can reduce the risk of smoke related death by half. 

Your Body Can Undo the Damage Done by Smoking

Your body will start to repair itself just hours after you’ve had a cigarette. After someone has stopped for around a week to 10 days, they start to notice that their sense of taste and smell is clearer. Heart rate and blood pressure will also improve, along with your circulation. Breathing and cardiovascular activities will also become easier. Additionally, you will look better. Smoking can cause skin damage, wrinkles, stain teeth and cause bad breath.

You Won’t Be Exposing Others to Second Hand Smoke

Smoking may not always be intended as a group activity, but smokers expose those around them to the toxic tobacco smoke. Prolonged exposure to second hand smoke can be devastating, especially for children. Second hand smoke has all the carcinogens found in smoke that is inhaled into the lungs. Studies show that pregnant women who are exposed to smokers on a regular basis have an increased risk for birth defects and stillbirth than those who aren’t in contact with smokers. This indicates that smoking can harm unborn children.

You Will Save Money

Of course it’s not all about the money but tobacco can be an expensive habit. Many people spend thousands of dollars a year on tobacco. You will have some extra spending money without the need to purchase cigarettes. Other fees you might not consider can include medical costs from smoke related health problems, not to mention higher insurance rates.  

Smokers With Genetic Predispositions Face Higher Risks

Some people have genes which make them more prone to developing arthritis. People with those kinds of genetic vulnerabilities are even more likely to develop such problems if they smoke. In fact, according to The Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatism, genetically vulnerable smokers can be 15 times more likely to develop arthritis than those with the same genetic profile who don’t smoke.

Swedish researchers conducted a study that questioned participants about their smoking habits and tested them for a genetic marker called shared epitope (SE). SE is a serious risk factor related to rheumatoid arthritis. In comparison to those who participated that never smoked and didn’t have SE genes, smokers with SE genes had a 7 times higher risk to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

There are too many good reasons to quit smoking. Your health, family, finances, looks – whatever your reason, consider quitting immediately. Besides the health benefits, there are many deadly conditions caused by tobacco use including blindness and mental decline. Stopping is easier said than done. If you are thinking about quitting, Total Home Health Inc. can help. Contact us today to connect with a local professional that can get you started on the road to a healthier life.