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About Michael 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
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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Smoking Cessation > Quitting Smoking > How long does chest congestion last after quitting?
Expert: Michael Dean
Date: 9/20/2008
Subject: How long does chest congestion last after quitting?
Question
I quit smoking about 3 months ago, except having one about a month ago. I had been wanting to quit for a while and ended up doing so because I became rather ill with a sinus infection, or possibly bronchitis. All of my other symptoms got better after a couple weeks except for chest congestion, and what I was coughing up changed from yellow to clear or whitish. I'm not sure how long chest congestion is supposed to last and it definitely got a little worse after I smoked the one cigarette a month ago. Is it normal to have it this long?
Answer
Leonard,
First congratulations on quitting.
If you have been smoking for a long time, it does take awhile to completely heal your lungs and regain lung function. The tiny hairs, cilia, in your lung that keep out debris, get killed off by smoking and need to grow back.
How old are you and how long and how much did you smoke?
It is worth getting a checkup and lung function test. And it would be good to increase your exercise level to speed up the healing.
Good luck and I hope this helps,
Michael
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