Lung Recovery after Smoking: Why Dr. Azeem Elahi Says It Is Never Too Late to Quit
If you're a current or former smoker, you've likely thought about the damage smoking has caused your lungs. Perhaps you've also thought, "I've been smoking for so long, what's the point in quitting now?"
Dr. Azeem Elahi with CaroMont Pulmonary Medicine is an established and highly skilled physician with specialty training in Interventional Pulmonology, General Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine who wants you to know it is never too late to quit smoking.
“Your lungs can heal remarkably well when given the chance, starting from the moment you put down that last cigarette. I've had the privilege of watching patients transform their health through smoking cessation. After all, the best time to quit smoking was yesterday, but the next best time to quit is today. Every cigarette you don't smoke is a victory for your lungs.”
How Smoking Damages Your Lungs
“In my years of practice, I've seen firsthand the devastating effects smoking has on the respiratory system,” says Dr. Elahi. “Every time you inhale cigarette smoke, you're exposing your lungs to more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic and at least 70 that can cause cancer. This repeated exposure takes a serious toll.”
-
Immediate Effects: Smoking irritates and inflames the airways, causing excess mucus production, chronic coughing and difficulty breathing. The tiny structures inside your lungs (called cilia), normally sweep toxins and debris out. But smoke exposure inhibits this process and cilia becomes paralyzed and eventually destroyed.
-
Long-Term Damage: Over time, smoking causes permanent changes to lung tissue. The delicate air sacs (alveoli) where oxygen exchange occurs become damaged and lose their elasticity, leading to conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema. Airways become chronically inflamed and narrowed, making it harder to breathe with each passing year.
The Cancer Risk
“Perhaps most concerning me as a pulmonologist, the carcinogens in cigarette smoke cause DNA damage in lung cells. This damage accumulates over time, potentially leading to uncontrolled cell growth. Decades of scientific research show that smoking is the leading cause of this devastating disease,” explains Dr. Elahi.
The Road to Recovery: Your Lungs Can Heal
Dr. Elahi says the most encouraging news is that your body begins repairing itself remarkably quickly after you quit smoking.
-
Within Hours: Just 12 hours after your last cigarette, carbon monoxide levels in your blood drop to normal, and your oxygen levels increase.
-
Within Weeks: In as little as two weeks to three months, your circulation improves and lung function begins to increase. The cilia in your airways start to regrow and regain normal function, improving your lungs' ability to clean themselves and fight infection.
-
Within Months: One to nine months after quitting, you'll notice less coughing and shortness of breath. Your lungs' ability to handle mucus improves, reducing your risk of infection.
-
Within Years: After one year, your risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half. After five years, your risk of stroke becomes similar to that of a non-smoker. After ten years, your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of someone who continues to smoke.
“I won't mislead you. Some damage from long-term smoking may be permanent, particularly in cases of COPD or emphysema,” warns Dr. Elahi. “However, quitting smoking prevents further damage and significantly reduces your risk of developing lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases. The lungs have a remarkable capacity to heal when given the chance, and I've witnessed these incredible recoveries throughout my career.”
Taking Action: The Importance of Lung Cancer Screening
If you're a current or former smoker, quitting is the single most important step you can take for your lung health. But it is not the only option available. Some individuals may be suitable candidates for lung cancer screening.
CaroMont Health's Lung Nodule and Lung Cancer Screening Program offers potentially life-saving early detection for those at risk.
“A lung nodule is a small growth in the lung that may or may not be cancerous, and early detection is key to successful treatment,” explains Dr. Elahi. “I encourage you to discuss your individual smoking history and personal risk factors with your primary care physician, who can determine whether you're a candidate for lung cancer screening.”
Early detection matters because lung cancer is most treatable often before symptoms even appear. Regular screening can catch concerning changes when treatment is most effective, giving medical professionals the best chance to help you.
Breakthrough Technology: Ion Robotic-Assisted Lung Biopsy
When screening reveals a lung nodule that needs further investigation, getting an accurate diagnosis quickly becomes the top priority. I'm proud to say that CaroMont Health has completed the first Ion robotic-assisted lung biopsy in the region, bringing breakthrough technology for lung nodule diagnosis to our community.
This advanced procedure represents a significant leap forward in the care I can provide. The Ion robotic platform allows me and my colleagues to reach and biopsy even small nodules in hard-to-access areas of the lung with unprecedented precision. For my patients, this means:
-
A minimally invasive approach: Less trauma to your body compared to traditional methods
-
Greater accuracy in diagnosis: Precise targeting of suspicious nodules for definitive answers
-
Faster answers with less worry: Quick results help reduce the anxiety of waiting
-
Same-day recovery for 99% of patients: Most people return to their normal activities the same day
CaroMont Health is committed to providing advanced technology, critical for catching lung cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. This investment in cutting-edge care means you don't have to travel far from home to access world-class lung diagnostics.
Your Journey Starts Today
Dr. Elahi wants every patient to know they have options.
“Whether you've been smoking for five years or fifty, whether you quit yesterday or years ago, your lungs deserve the best care possible,” he states. “Me and my team at CaroMont Health are here to support you every step of the way. I cannot stress this enough: it is never too late to quit smoking, and it is never too early to have a conversation with your doctor about lung cancer screening. Your lungs begin healing the moment you stop smoking, and with early detection through screening, we can catch potential problems when they're most treatable.”
Take control of your lung health today. Talk to your primary care physician about your smoking history and whether lung cancer screening is right for you. Your future self will thank you for taking this important step, and I look forward to being part of your journey to better lung health.
Take control of your lung health today. Talk to your primary care physician about your smoking history and whether lung cancer screening is right for you. Your future self will thank you for taking this important step, and CaroMont Health is ready to be a part of your journey to better lung health.
For more information about CaroMont Health's Lung Nodule and Lung Cancer Screening Program or the Ion robotic-assisted lung biopsy, contact CaroMont Pulmonary Medicine at 980.834.LUNG.