Seniors Can Benefit From Quitting Smoking Now

Smoking: It Is Never Too Late to Stop
By Caring Space

Although the challenge of quitting smoking seems too great for the benefits that will result, there are many short term and long-term benefits of kicking a bad habit like smoking at any point in one's life. Many senior citizens, especially those who are life-long smokers, may not realize that they too can gain from quitting. Still, it is especially important that senior citizens try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Those who provide elder care for senior citizens should encourage them to quit smoking.

Some of the benefits of quitting smoking include:

•Having a lower risk for cancer, heart attack, and lung disease
•Having better blood circulation
•Having no odor of smoke on your belongings and in your house
•Having a better sense of taste and smell
•Having healthier family members
•Adding more years to your life and having more energy to do other activities that you enjoy
Smoking is bad for your health because it damages the lungs and airways, causing swelling and complications with breathing and clearing mucus from the lungs. Smokers who cannot easily clear the airways often develop a chronic cough which can lead to chronic bronchitis. Some smokers develop emphysema where the lung tissue is destroyed and makes breathing very difficult.

Life long smokers have a 50% chance of dying from a smoking related disease. Smoking does not only cause direct effects as referred to above, but it can also lead to the development of other illnesses like:

•Heart disease. A combination of smoking and high cholesterol or blood pressure will increase the likelihood of heart attack.
•Cancer. The risk of cancer in the lungs, larynx (voice box), esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix increases as you smoke more.
•Respiratory problems. Smoking increases your susceptibility to the flu, pneumonia, and other infections that interfere with the breathing passages. This is more dangerous for senior citizens who are already at risk to the adverse affects of these diseases.
•Osteoporosis. Women especially who are past menopause can experience earlier and more severe bone weakening if they smoke regularly.
Quitting smoking is beneficial for people of all ages, including senior citizens. This statement is valid in that the effects of quitting are immediate as the body begins to heal after smoking has ceased. This is evident in the following trends observed in people who have quit smoking:

•The chance of heart attack and stroke drops within the first year of quitting.
•You are half as likely to develop heart disease within one year of quitting.
•Flow of blood to the hands and feet get stronger after quitting.
•Breathing becomes easier within a few months.
•The chances of cancer are decreased (within 10-15 years after quitting, your chances of developing cancer may be as low as that of a nonsmoker).
•Although there may be some weight gain, your health will most likely be better regardless.


For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524