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Many smokers in their 50s, 60s, or older have been smoking
for years. It isn’t uncommon to hear some of these folks say "I’ve smoked
since I’ve been 15 and I’m as healthy as a horse!"
| While sometimes that’s true, older smokers
as a whole have higher risks from smoking because they have smoked longer, tend to be
heavier smokers, and are more likely to suffer from smoking-related illnesses. No matter
your age, you will have immediate health benefits if you quit smoking. For example: |
Medicare
will
cover up to eight face-to-face counseling sessions in a
12-month period. |
- Within 20 minutes of smoking the last cigarette: your blood pressure and
pulse rate drops to normal and the temperature of your hands and feet increase.
- Within 8 hours: the oxygen level in your blood increases.
- After 24 hours: the chance of having a heart attack decreases.
- Within 3 days: breathing is easier.
- Within 2 to 3 months: circulation improves, walking becomes easier, and
lung function increases up to 30%.
- In 1 to 9 months: coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, & shortness of
breath decrease and energy increases.
- Within 1 year: the risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a
smoker.
- Within 2 years: the risk of heart attack drops to near normal.
Additionally, smokers are more than twice as likely as nonsmokers to develop dementia
of any kind and Alzheimer’s disease. Smokers also have two to three times the risk of
developing cataracts, the leading cause of blindness and vision loss.
There
are a number
of resources
available to
help you
quit smoking. |
The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline is a free resource
that connects you with a trained cessation counselor. The toll-free number is
1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Medicare Part B will cover up to eight face-to-face
counseling sessions during a 12-month period. The sessions must be ordered by your
doctor and provided by a qualified doctor or Medicare-recognized provider. Contact your
doctor to get the ball rolling. |
For those receiving benefits from Medicare Part D, check your plan. Some
insurance plans cover the cost of prescription nicotine replacement therapies. These
therapies are another tool to help you succeed in your quit attempt.
And, finally, don’t be discouraged!
Many tobacco users try to quit 5 to 7 times before they achieve long-term success. Each
quit attempt teaches you a bit more about what worked and didn't work for you. Remember,
you CAN do it and you will be healthier as a result.
Sources: American Lung
Association, American Cancer Society,
U.S. Department of
Health & Human Services
Updated: 3/11/08
For more information, contact:
Tobacco Free Nebraska
P.O. Box 95026
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-5026
Phone: (402) 471-2101
E-mail: TFN Info |
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