AboutMichael Dean Expertise Can answer
General information on tobacco addiction, and resources for quitting.
Information on current cancer research and the health effects of tobacco.
The risk of smoking for lung cancer and other cancers, as well as SIDS, heart disease, and vision loss.
The best place to start is 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Cannot answer
Specific medical questions
Experience Cancer Researcher for over 20 years
Author of the book "Empty Cribs-The impact of smoking on child health" www.artsciencepub.com.
Author of over 200 scientific articles on cancer, genetics and human disease.
Multiple interviews in print, TV and radio media.
Organizations American Association for Cancer Research
American Association of Human Genetics
Publications Scientific journals (Science, Nature, NE Journal Medicine, etc.)
Scientific American, Discovery Medicine, Nature Reviews in Cancer
Education/Credentials PhD. in Biochemistry from Boston University School of Medicine
Awards and Honors Young Investigator award-American Association of Cancer Research
Expert: Michael Dean Date: 8/27/2008 Subject: Smoking
Question QUESTION: Hi
Ive quit 39 days back after 6 years of smoking. I was a 3-4 cigarettes a day put it was getting to the point where i had started buying packs so that was worrying . A lot has changed in my life after quitting. No more flem when coughing, no shortness of breath, no hiding from the wife and kids to get a quick puff. I still think abt smoking once in while ...will these thoughts go away and when will my lungs be clean of the garbage . Can i do anything to clean them up ...exercise, a particular food . Pls help
ANSWER: Dear Raj,
Congratulations! You are doing all the right things and yes thoughts of smoking will diminish over time, but never completely go away for some.
Yes more exercise is good and lots of fruits and vegetables. Swimming is a great exercise for the lungs, if that is possible.
Ramp up exercise gradually and see a doctor if you are not in great shape.
Keep it up!
Michael
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QUESTION: Hi Michael
I've been doing a lot of walking since I quit , try and climb 10 -15 flights of stairs every other day and some light weights as well. Was always big on fruits/ veggies and am keeping to that. have dropped tea totally as that was a smoking trigger ..have also made some lifestyle changes to not be in situations where i wld smoke. on the face of it and in retrospect it seems easy but in reality i'm scared,scared that if i touch a cancer stick ever again, i'll be doomed forever. am in decent shape but have noticed that i have put on some weight ..its not a big deal as i know it will go once i ramp up the workouts. is there any food in particular or a vitamin i cld take to accelerate the cleaning / recuperating process. thanks
Answer Raj,
Those are good steps for recovery. You are right a bit of weight is no worry, and staying away from situations that you might smoke in is a great idea. Most people stay quit once they get past the initial period, so don't worry about that.
I know of no particular food or vitamin that accelerates the healing. A multivitamin and some extra vitamin D, if you don't get much sun is good.
