Most health professionals will tell you that a well-rounded diet and exercise are crucial to your health. That is certainly true, but don’t forget about your daily routine! Poor habits, like smoking, have a direct impact on your overall health and can cause some serious health issues for you later in life.

Tobacco is highly addictive, and it can be really hard to think about quitting. However, putting down the cigarettes for good will only benefit you and your family in the long run.

Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN team explains more about the impacts of smoking and how to start the quitting process.

Why Is Smoke Bad For Your Lungs?

Your lungs have the vital job of absorbing the oxygen you need to breathe while also removing carbon dioxide and other gases that your body doesn’t need. If you inhale smoke, that smoke will travel to your lungs and other major organs like oxygen does. Instead of providing your organs with fresh, clean air, you are exposing them to thousands of carcinogenic chemicals with each inhale you take. Over time, tar will start to build up in your lungs as a byproduct of the smoke and your other organs will suffer because of that.

Your heart and liver will have a harder time working, your skin will sag and teeth will start to yellow and fall out, and your hearing and vision can even be affected. Over time, the chronic exposure to these chemicals will increase your risk of various serious diseases.

Diseases Caused By Smoking

• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Lung cancer
• Heart disease
• Emphysema

When Will My Body Feel Better When I Quit Smoking?

Your body will directly benefit each day that you don’t smoke. Over time, your sense of taste and smell will start to return to normal, your skin and teeth will look better and your risk of developing those diseases diminishes. Your lungs can even start to clear of that dangerous tar buildup!

Your family will even benefit from your choice to quit. Not only will you be healthier, but your kids and spouse will be able to avoid the effects of secondhand smoke and will be able to breathe cleaner air. Secondhand smoke does increase your children’s risk of developing respiratory issues and asthma, so quitting will help everyone in your household live their healthiest lives possible.

Discover Your Path to Quitting

• Find your reason why.
• Research different medication options.
• Consider counseling.
• Surround yourself with positive support.

We are always here for you. Stop by AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN any day of the week.