Living Well and Healthy, Part 4

As we discussed earlier, maintaining lifelong health consists basically of immunization, being physically active, eating right, and having a healthful body weight.  Another health habit to consider is being tobacco-free (Others to follow in our series of articles are: avoiding drugs and excess alcohol; managing stress; taking care of the teeth; practicing safety; pursuing healthy pleasures; helping to make a healthier world).

• Be tobacco-free. Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco is one of the most important things you can do to improve your own health and add years to your life.  If you have already tried to quit smoking, you know how difficult it is.  But with the right attitude and enough help, you’ll eventually succeed. 

         Tobacco use increases your risk for many health problems, 

          including cancer, heart disease, and stroke.  Your smoking 

          habit can also put others at risk.  Children who are exposed 

          to cigarette smoking at home have more ear infections and 

          are prone to other health problems like asthma. The greatest 

          risk to your children is that they’ll learn from you.  Children 

          whose parents use tobacco are more likely to use tobacco 

          themselves.

          When you quit smoking, it doesn’t take long for your body to 

          start to heal and for your risk of developing other health 

          problems to decrease.

1. When you quit smoking, your risk of heart attack is cut in half within one year after quitting.  Five years after quitting, your risk is about the same as that of a person who never smoked.
2. While the lung damage caused by smoking is not reversible, quitting smoking prevents more lung damage from occurring.  Shortness of breath and cough will decrease.
3. When you give up tobacco products, damage to your lips, tongue, mouth, and throat is reduced.  Your risk for mouth and throat cancer decreases.
4. If you have asthma, you’ll have fewer and less severe attacks after you quit smoking.
5. After quitting smoking, a man may have fewer problems getting and maintaining erections.  

(Tips for quitting smoking will appear in Part 5 on Monday, 22 April 2013. – J.P.)