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Can the damage I've done by smoking be reversed?
So I recently discovered that I have stage 1 hypertension. My resting blood pressure is 145 over 85 with a pulse rate of 90. I've decided that it's time to be an adult and make a few changes in my life, including quitting smoking.
I started with Hookah when I was 18, my usage peaked to about 3 sessions a week but never more than that. I stopped using shisha and begun smoking cigarettes at age 19, I averaged about 2 cigarettes a day (Natural American Spirits, if it matters which brand. Alternating between lights and full bodied packs). I turned 20 last month, and I just smoked my last cigarette.
For what it's worth, I'm 5' 11" and weigh ~320 pounds (I'm trying to work on that as well, already lost 10 pounds awhile back), I work a blue collar job so my lifestyle isn't 100% sedentary.
But in conclusion, I was wondering how much damage I could have possibly done, and if it's possible to reverse it. I don't think I feel any different than I did when I didn't smoke, but that was a long ago so I'm not 100% certain. Any answers are appreciated, thanks.
4 Answers
- JasonLv 77 years agoFavorite Answer
You haven't smoked enough for long enough to do irreversible damage. We don't tend to see irreversible damage until around 20 pack-years (packs per day x years smoked). I would be surprised if you had any noticable reduction in your FEV1 at all. Your lungs are quite likely near normal already. If there is any damage, it won't take long to recover. In most folks we start to see some degree of improvement right away. Even with a significant smoking history people are often back to normal after ten years of being smoke-free. Obviously, the less you smoked the less damage there is to recover from and the less time it will take.
If you really want to know for sure, then a pulmonary function test would be in order. Spirometry is the basic test and shows the majority of what we look for in smoking-related illness. Lung volumes and a diffusion study can help further suss out certain abnormalities, but in someone your age with such a short smoking history I'd start with just plain spirometry.
Best wishes.
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Source(s): Respiratory therapist and pulmonary function technologist (B.S., RRT, CPFT) - Anonymous7 years ago
You should make contact with a health care provider. This is a significant issue. We suggest using Teledoc. With Teleadoc you'll be able to speak straight to US board certified doctors 24/7. You can use your cell phone, tablet or any pc. I'm using this service for more than 4 years. Check it out at: http://is.gd/teladoc
- Anonymous5 years ago
If you don't stop, the damage will be permanent... your choice
- Anonymous7 years ago
the effects of smoking can take a while to go, but some start instantly