Do the lungs recover after we stop smoking? 

Stop smoking-reminders are very common and we are somewhat aware of the damage smoking causes to the lungs. However, will the lungs recover after we stop smoking? Does it clean itself when we stop smoking? 

The answer is the lungs start to clean itself when we stop smoking. The healing and regeneration speed depends on how long and how much one smokes. It also depends on how much damage smoking already caused to the lungs. So the sooner someone stops smoking the quicker his or her body starts to heal. Smoking irritates and inflames lung tissues. This causes the lungs to develop protective muscles. Smoking causes two permanent damage to the lungs. 

Types of damages

1. Emphysema in which alveoli are destroyed. Which decreases lung surface area and their ability to exchange oxygen. 
2. Chronic bronchitis which smaller airways leading to alveoli becoming inflamed preventing oxygen from reaching the alveoli. 

Lungs recovery

Lungs can repair themselves over time. Pulse would start to become normal after 20 minutes of smoking. And after 8 hours oxygen levels start to recover. The harmful carbon monoxide in the blood becomes half. After 2 days all carbon monoxides are out. It then start clearing out mucus. Making the person cough more than usual. One can notice an improvement in sense of taste and smell. 

After 3 days breathing feels easier. The bronchial tubes start to relax and overall energy begins to increase. 2 to 12 weeks after blood will start pumping better. After 3 to 9 months, any cough or breathing problems will improve as the functions of the lungs improve by up to 10%. 

After 1 year the risk of heart attack reduces to half compared to that of a smoker. And after 10 years the risk of death from lung cancer would reduce to half compared to that of a smoker. 

Stopping smoking can improve and boost both physical and mental health as well as well-being.