How Do the Lungs Recover After Quitting Smoking?

The Lung-Cleaning Process After Quitting Smoking

While cigarettes and tobacco products harm the entire body in many ways, the respiratory tract and lungs are most affected. One frequently asked question concerns whether, and how much, quitting smoking benefits the lungs. Live Science published research in June 2017 explaining how lungs recover after quitting smoking.

Even a single cigarette immediately begins damaging the lungs through its chemicals. Like eyelashes protecting our eyes from external factors, the lungs contain microscopic hairs with important functions called cilia (lung cilia). These hairs protect and clean the lungs during breathing as though brushing and sweeping. Cigarette chemicals slow their movement and reduce their function; indeed, tobacco smoke paralyzes cilia. Our lungs therefore become vulnerable to harmful airborne molecules, dust and chemicals. Heavy mucus production follows. Mucus that cannot be cleared because these hairs are damaged may cause lung inflammation and infection.

The image above: Lung cilia, colorized electron microscope view.

What Changes Occur in Our Body After Quitting Smoking?

After quitting smoking, the lungs and airways are no longer exposed to further harmful chemicals, so new hairs emerge and grow, reducing mucus and infection. Another improvement is noticeable in breathing. Smokers know what breathlessness means, especially during exercise or even brisk walking. Carbon monoxide levels causing this decrease after quitting, and red blood cells can carry oxygen more effectively.

Coughing may continue during the first few weeks after stopping tobacco. This actually indicates that the lungs are recovering and beginning to clean themselves. It shows that protective hairs are renewing, growing and beginning their cleaning tasks.

However, prolonged smoking damages the lungs’ smallest air units, the alveoli , which may lose elasticity. This can cause the airway disease known as emphysema . This condition makes breathing very difficult. These lung changes are permanent and hard to reverse.

The body functions in a way that favors renewal and healing. In particular, increasing healthy lifestyle habits improves lifespan and quality of life. After 10 years, former smokers’ risk of lung cancer and other smoking-related cancers decreases considerably, although not to the same level as people who never smoked. By quitting right now, you can take the most important step toward a healthy life for yourself and your loved ones.

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