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: 8/24/2007 Subject: Worried
Question Hi. I have been a smoker for about 6 years and have recently stopped with one or two lapses. I don't cough anything up but have developed a tickly cough over the past couple of days. It feels like I constantly have a tickle in my lungs/chest and when I cough, it doesn't really help it. I have never had smoker's cough and this coughing does not sound like a smoker's cough. It is non-productive and dry sounding. I also had some difficulty breathing the other week and I went to see the doctor who said it was quite probably anxiety and not to worry. As soon as she said that, my breathing difficulty stopped. Now I have this cough and it's making me worry again. I am a self-confessed worrier anyway but is this worry justified? I am 26 years old.
Many thanks
Answer Dear Tom,
That is great that you have quit. Keep up the good work.
As you can imagine your body has a lot of recovering to do after smoking for so long.
A cough after quitting is quite normal. One of the first things that happens is that the cilia in your lungs grow back. These are the small hairs that line your lung and sweep out debris. The healing starts right away, but takes some time. There is more info here: http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/coughing.htm
Try some herbal tea or some cough drops. You should also start or ramp up an exercise program, with consultation from your doctor. Swimming is particularly good for improving lung function, but any aerobic exercise will help.
If the cough doesn't go away in a few more weeks you might go back to your doctor. But I would not worry. She could give you Zyban (bupropion). This is a drug originally developed as an anti anxiety drug, but is very helpful for many people quitting smoking.
Feel free to call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to find out resources in your state. Some states have a free quit line, which could come in handy.
Good luck,
Michael Dean, Ph.D.
Author "Empty Cribs-The Impact of Smoking on Child Health"
http//www.artsciencepub.com
