Seniors
Tobacco’s Impact On Your Health
Seniors who smoke are at greater risk for health problems than their tobacco free peers, including:
- Decreased bone density, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis.
- Increased risk for hip fractures.
- Increased risk for developing cataracts.
- Increased risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
You can do it!
The best thing you can do for your health is to quit using tobacco. Here’s how to get started:
- Write down all of the reasons why you want to quit, and refer to this list when you have a craving.
- Set a quit day, and create a quit plan.
- Tell your family, friends and co-workers that you will be quitting.
- Remember the 5 Ds to help you get through the cravings:
- Delay: The craving will eventually go away.
- Deep breath: Take a few calming deep breaths.
- Drink water: It will flush out the chemicals.
- Do something else: Find a new, healthy habit.
- Discuss: Talk about your thoughts and feelings.
- Get support at Smoking Cessation Opportunities in Washoe County
- Until you are tobacco-free, do not use tobacco in the precense of others.
Q & A
Q: I’ve been smoking for years. Is there any benefit to quitting now?
A: It’s never too late to quit smoking. The benefits of quitting begin almost immediately and get better and better:
- Within 20 minutes – your blood pressure, pulse rate, and the temperature of your hands and feet return to normal.
- Within 8 hours – oxygen level in the blood increases to normal.
- Within 24 hours – your risk of a heart attack begins to drop.
- Within 2 days – your nerve endings start to re-grow, and your senses of smell and taste improve.
- Within 3 days – your breathing gets easier, and your lung capacity increases.
- Within 2 weeks to 3 months – your circulation improves, lung function improves up to 30%, and walking gets easier.
- Within 1-9 months – your lung cilia regrow; coughing, sinus problems and shortness of breath decrease; and you’ll have more energy.
