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: 9/27/2007 Subject: Quit Smoking
Question I read the previous question which referred to stopping smoking and feeling tightness in the chest. I quit for 4 weeks last year and had the same thing happen during the entire 4 weeks...went to the doctor and he told me he couldn't find anything wrong and didn't really provide me with an answer. I went back to smoking and just quit again 3 weeks ago. I have that same tightness in my lungs. Sometimes it's hardly bearable. I have had much bronchitis during this past year, so it is very odd that as soon as I stop smoking, my lungs seem to dry up so much that I can barely breathe. Do you have any other thoughts as to why this would be happening?
Answer Dear Barb,
Congratulations on quitting, again. As you can imagine your body has a lot of recovering to do after smoking for so long. The fact that you have had bronchitis indicates that you have much healing to do.
Being congested after quitting is quite normal. Your lungs are healing, the cilia is regrowing and starting to clear out your airways.
But, I would suggest going to back to the doctor, or a different doctor, especially if you are having trouble breathing. It would be good to get a check up and perhaps some medicine.
In the meantime, tea, exercise, especially swimming, and a vaporizer might help. It should get better soon.
Here is a suggestion from one site:
Tightness in the chest
It is probably due to tension created by the body’s need for nicotine; may be caused by sore muscles from coughing. Part of the recovery process may be the lung’s attempt to remove mucus and tar. The normal mucus transport system will start to reactivate itself, which can initially cause coughing. It will last a few days. Deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Be patient; wait it out! Your body wants to return to normal.
If you go to the doctor ask about bupropion (Zyban). This is an anti-anxiety drug that helps many people quit.
Let me know how it goes. I'd suggest giving 1-800-QUIT-NOW a call and seeing what quitting resources are available in your state, just in case you hit a rough patch down the road.
Good luck,
Michael Dean, Ph.D.
Author "Empty Cribs-The impact of smoking on child health"
www.artsciencepub.com
