From January 21 to January 27, the nation celebrates National Non-Smoking Week. If you have a parent who still smokes, or maybe you do, it’s a good week to get help and give up cigarettes for good. Here’s what happens when you do.
Caregiver in Anaheim Hills CA: National Non-Smoking Week (Jan 21 to 27)
The First Week
Smoking does a lot of things to the body. One of the most important is that your vascular health is impacted. Within the first 24 hours of smoking, your blood pressure and heart rate start to decrease. Carbon monoxide levels in the blood drop by about half in the first eight hours. Within two days, carbon monoxide related to smoking is gone from your system.
The First Month
Within a month of quitting, your nerves begin to heal. Your taste buds regenerate. You’ll smell things more clearly. Things will taste better as the smoke is no longer impacting the function of your taste buds.
Lung function starts to improve about halfway through the first month. More oxygen gets around the body, which increases organ health. You won’t be as short of breath. If your smoking made you cough, you will find you’re not coughing as frequently.
The First Year
By the end of the first year, you’ve cut the risk of heart disease related to smoking in half. Your muscle strength is better because oxygen is getting carried through the blood to the muscle cells. You may have lowered your chances of developing diabetes. You may even find your cholesterol levels are lower.
After One Year
Some of the best changes happen after a year. Your risk of having a stroke drops to be about the same as a non-smoker. If you make it to 10 years, you’ve also cut the risk of lung cancer by half. Make it a full 15 years and you have the same risk of having a heart attack as someone who never smoked.
One of the most successful ways to stop smoking is by using a medication that helps ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Gum and patches are available over the counter and will help ease cravings.
Your mom or dad may need a caregiver around for help remembering when it’s time to chew another piece or gum or replace the patch. Caregivers can also drive your mom or dad to medical appointments or support groups. Learn more about caregivers and the services they provide by calling a home care
agency.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a caregiver in Anaheim Hills, CA, contact the caring staff at No Place Like Home Homecare today at 951-382-5266.
About Kristi Duran
Kristi Duran is the owner of No Place Like Home Homecare. Kristi started NPLH because of her absolute love for seniors. She was raised by her grandparents from the day she was born. Kristi has a special connection to seniors and understands their wishes and needs to stay independent.
Kristi has worked in the medical field for years and has seen first-hand how aging seniors want nothing more than to age in the comfort of their own home with dignity and grace. At NPLH, she and her caregivers insure that this happens.
NPLH is not a large franchise. It is a personal family owned homecare service. This insures a one on one personalized touch. Kristi is available 24 hours a day to her clients and their families.
