Smoking risks

[baarley]

I am the person who asked about the risks associated with smoking, you responded on 9/3. I forgot to state that I did smoke previously from 17trs to 22 yrs. The first two years were mostly on weekends and the remainder was probably 1/2 pack per day. Which probably amounts to 3 pack years. I did not smoke for 25 years until recently. I am almost 6 months quit and  am still extremely worried because I was smoke free for so long and then started after a 25 year marker. I would like to know if the radioactive  polonium 210 is the same as having a chest x-ray for every pack and a half? I am  aware that the half life is 138 days. Does the half life decrease the amount of exposure or are we really subjected to high levels of radiation?  I also wanted to knoew about DNA adduncts. What are they and do the numbe rs never return to the amount of a never smoker? I have also heard that when you smoke you destroy the lining of the lungs. I am also interested in knowing how long it takes lung cells to be replaced. Finally, will my recovery for my current 2years of smoking be complicated because of the smoking 25 years ago? I do get more upset as I read more about the effects of smoking and vow to stay smoke free. I regret having smoked especially the current episode because I had never thought of them in most of my adult life and feel I have really opened myself to great harm because of a previous history. Thank You for this great service you provide I am grateful for your time and expertise.

[National Jewish]

Your current 2 years of smoking combined with your smoking 25 years ago means you have about 5 ˝ pack-years of smoking.  This remains below the 10 to 20 pack-years that are generally needed to be at risk for emphysema/COPD, heart disease, and lung cancer.  It is still very likely that your risk of these diseases will approach that of someone who has never smoked after you have not smoked for 1 to 2 years.

In the healthy lung there are small hair-like projections called cilia that clean the lungs by moving mucus up and out.  Smoking can paralyze or permanently damage this cleaning system.  When you quit smoking your lungs begin to recover from the inflammation caused by the smoking.  As long as you have quit smoking before there has been permanent damage then you will get better as the cleaning system cleans.  This may take up to a year after you stop smoking.  You have made an excellent decision to stop smoking!

[EROS]

This amount of smoking is not even considered in the danger zone!! Get real.

Do you have symptoms, I bet not. You would have a constant cough, phlegm and shortness of breath, if you do not have these symptoms there is more than likely nothing wrong.

The effects smoking on your lung health is generally felt at the time you are smoking. People who smoke do not give up and then get ill years later unless they have cancer. You have nearly as much of a chance of cancer as someone who never smoked.

The general amount for problems is smoking 20 a day for 20 years. If you want to be really sure get a HR CT and a Pulmonary Function Test.

[baarley]

Thank You for your comments I guess I am so upset about the smoking because i started reading all the risks and the cancer risk scares me the most. I was also on a raw food diet with carrot juice and green juices for 8 years so to start smoking again was against my principles. I also have a hard time  understanding if the lungs get clear or risks go down. I am taking clear lungs, smoke shield(antioxidant), lung factors. I walk on the beach everyday for the fresh air and am hoping the lungs will clear. Thanks so much for your comments I am really upset and am trying to get info as I have asked others and have gotten no info exept here.

[baarley]

There is a new study out on smoking from the tobacco control. The study states 1-4 cigarettes per day increases your risk of lung cancer 5 times for a woman and 3 times for males. This was on the news and the info comes up under tobacco control study for smoking. This is the kind of info that makes me extremely upset.

[EROS]

Your posts are verging on the ridiculous, you obviously have some sort of deep rooted fear thing going on.

Tell you what, take a walk into the sleaziest bar you can find, you know the type, frequented by some old timers who have been burning the candle at both ends for probably 50/60 years. Take a look at how many are smoking and note their ages. Then consider how much you smoked????

Life is a lottery my friend, we can only do so much to stay well. You smoked because at that time in your life it was the right thing to do for you. Don’t continue to beat yourself up.

You’re only worry seems to be cancer! This disease is even rare in smokers, i.e. although rates are higher than the normal population very few smokers get lung cancer. What is more common is emphysema and COPD. You do not seem to have any of these from what you write.

As I said already, get some Pulmonary Function tests done, then have a HR CT, speak to the doctor about your concerns. If this doesn’t sort the problem our go and see a good shrink.

I did see some news about that report! I am looking forward to reading it. All smoking is bad, for some its worse than others.
Get a check up and then forget about it!

E.

[jaybo33]

Hi:

   I smoked 1/2 pack from 1981 to 2005. I quit maybe 20 times for about a month during that time. Never for longer. 6 weeks ago I quit cigarettes for good. I can do it now, I know. I will never be a regular smoker again.
   I run Marathons; running has greatly helped me quit. 2 years ago I trained for the Baltimore thon, 26.2 miles, ran it in 4 hours and change, smoked through my training. But it increased my heart rate too much. I was 200 lbs, down from 249 earlier that year.
   Now I am heavier, 240 lbs, but I can breathe better and am learning to diet as a lifestyle, not a whim. I am 6 foot 2, 42 years old. I will run the half-thon next week in Baltimore, 13.1 miles. I'm a little slower, and have knee issues, but I made it through my training.

   The point. Today I took a series of tests, LUNG FUNCTION TESTS, at a pulmonary specialist. I requested this from my PCP. ALL 14 TESTS were normal, after smoking for 24 years, minus the months I gave it up. I wasn't ready to quit cigs til now. I believe I came to my senses in time. Great day it is to go run 4 miles!

THRIVE!
Jaybo33








My Pulmonary Function Analysis:

     (All results NORMAL)



SPIROMETRY

FVC:    5.37 Liters

FEV1:    4.19 Liters

FEV1/FVC:    78%

FEF25-75%:    3.78 L/sec

FEF50%:    4.62 L/sec

PEF:    10.2 L/sec

MVV: NA





LUNG VOLUMES

TLC:    7.26 Liters

RV:    1.89 Liters

RV/TLC:    26%

FRC N2: NA





DIFFUSION

DLCO:    31.7 mL/mmHg/min

DL Adj:    31.7  mL/mmHg/min

DLCO/VA:    4.33 mL/mHg/min/L

DL/VA Adj:    4.33 mL/mHg/min/L

VA:    7.32 Liters





MAXIMAL RESPIRATORY PRESSURES

PI max: NA

PI Volume: NA

[baarley]

Thanks so much for posting I still am not feeling much better about what I have done I am just worried that something will happen as a result of smoking  Keep up the good Quit and The running