How much can your lungs heal themselves after being a smoker?
Q. I know there's always permanent damage to your lungs if you are a smoker, but to what degree can your lungs "repair" and "clean" themselves after you've quit smoking? I'm sure most of this depends on how long you've smoked and how long you've quit, but I'm just wondering in general what the effect of quitting smoking is. What are the mechanisms the body uses to repair itself? ana Gah.
Asked by Slaggers - Tue Nov 18 13:01:19 2008 - Respiratory Diseases - 2 Answers - Comments

A. Well from personal experience I was like a pack a week smoker of menthol's for about 8 years when I quit. My lungs are pretty and pink again. But then again I exercise and I am more active in my life with out the effects of cigarettes. I was a little bit of blacking on my lungs but after 6 years of not smoking I am back to if I had never smoked. my uncle who was also a very HEAVY Pack a Day Smoker is also healthy, he has a bit of damage but nothing like he would have had.. if he had not quit. But thankfully we have both pinked right back up for the most part.
Answered by bandyemmie - Tue Nov 18 13:10:25 2008

How do you simulate how the diaphragm and lungs work using common household items?
Q. I remember from when I was little there was an experiment you could do using a two liter bottle and two balloons to simulate how the diaphragm and lungs work together. Does anybody remember how to do this? Thanks for your time.
Asked by Caffeine Addict - Fri Oct 17 07:09:44 2008 - Biology - 1 Answers - Comments

A. You can use a two liter coke bottle and a couple of balloons. Cut the bottom off of the coke bottle. Use a large balloon like one of the punching balloons and tape it across the bottom of the bottle so that it is airtight. Next take another very stretchy balloon and put it over the top of the bottle tape it in place and invert it into the bottle. Pull gently on the lower balloon(diaphragm) and the upper balloon(lung) should fill.
Answered by YourLaHire - Fri Oct 17 07:19:49 2008

How long does it take for your lungs to heal from smoking weed?
Q. If you smoked weed about 10 times in a 3 month period how long does it take for your lungs to heal. No bs about its bad for you.
Asked by - Wed Jan 4 22:00:18 2012 - Diet & Fitness - 3 Answers - Comments

A. I'm not gonna lie dude. I'm as high as a ni gga pie in the sky. I didn't even read your question properly. Holy shit dude, holy shit,
Answered by - Fri Jan 6 21:05:24 2012

How do we make sure air gets to lungs and food gets to esophagus?
Q. We use the throat to transport air to the lungs and food to the esophagus. Anatomically, how does the human body keep these things separate and channel them to the right place?
Asked by - Wed Nov 2 09:03:12 2011 - Respiratory Diseases - 2 Answers - Comments

A. Anatomically, there is an elastic cartilage flap called the epiglottis that helps to channel food to the right place. When someone is just breathing, the epiglottis is pointed upwards to allow air to pass into the lungs but when someone swallows, the hyoid bone goes up and causes the epiglottis to fold over the trachea (wind pipe) to allow the food to pass into the stomach.
Answered by - Wed Nov 2 14:08:50 2011

How long does it take for a smokers lungs to return to normal?
Q. I keep seeing pictures of black lungs or pale white lungs with spots that look like mildew on them. I smoked 3 quarters of a pack a day for about 14 yrs. And I hope to god I quit in time. I have been smoke free for a little over 3 weeks now.
Asked by Mary C - Tue Aug 18 20:34:05 2009 - Respiratory Diseases - 2 Answers - Comments

A. Dear friend I can not say the amount of time, but I sure can tell you sooner you quit smoking sooner you will feel OK in all senses spiritual and physical. Forgive me cause of my bad english. Just wanna say you and all smokers of the world that cigarettes are a very dangerous thing for human being and for our beautiful planet. So you can improve your power inside and develop your consciousness.I will tell you something about my life I am Colombian. Married.I am 49.I smoked since 18 Years and have quited smoking several times. last time i inspired in my little son his name is Philip. Of course I realized how dangerous is smoking for me and my family.So I decided and prayed to God for help and every day I say HIM thank you God for your… [cont.]
Answered by ALPACINO - Tue Aug 18 21:12:11 2009

What kind of disease affect your lungs and how?
Q. I am testing the lung capacity of 7th graders. Along with my project I need a report; I have found information on lungs in general but i still need information on lung capacity.
Asked by Hannah R. - Sun Apr 9 17:58:52 2006 - Other - Diseases - 4 Answers - Comments

A. emphysema
Answered by maharet - Sun Apr 9 18:01:37 2006

How long will it take for my lungs to repair from a cigarillo?
Q. just wondering how long it will take for the lungs to repair. I smoke a cigarillo for the first time a while a two days ago. it was swisher sweets. i think i smoked it wrong because my lungs feel raspy and i heard that your lungs begin to instantly repair after you stop smoking. I was just wondering how long it would take as an estimate from the time you smoke the cigarillo. thanks!
Asked by Simplyease - Mon Jan 22 22:53:58 2007 - Other - Health - 1 Answers - Comments

A. it's hard to imagine that you can cause lung damage on the first use... You should be fine in about 3 days.
Answered by TaerinX - Mon Jan 22 23:05:37 2007

Do your lungs start to heal after quiting smoking?
Q. My hub smoked for 9 years, mostly before we married. He quit totally 8 years ago. Do the lungs stay blackened?
Asked by kristi_wilson81 - Tue Sep 2 23:00:27 2008 - Respiratory Diseases - 1 Answers - Comments

A. yes they do heal and no they don't stay blackened.
Answered by goose - Tue Sep 2 23:07:09 2008

How long will it take my lungs to recover after smoking 8 years?
Q. I've been smoking for almost 8 years. I'm in the process of quitting right now. Hopefully by the end of January. How long will it take for my lungs to recover after 8 years of smoking?
Asked by dudeman_4_life - Tue Jan 6 02:59:00 2009 - Respiratory Diseases - 1 Answers - Comments

A. At a guess about 3 years but there are a lot of factors involved including how much you smoked and your general health status. Go to your doctor and ask him to carry out a spirometry test, this easy test measures your current lung function then give it a month or so after quitting and have the test repeated, this will give a good indicator of your repiratory recovery rate. Good luck and hope your 2009 is smoke free and healthy!
Answered by willyenvy - Wed Jan 7 06:12:19 2009

How you long does it take for your lungs to recover after you smoke cigarretes?
Q. I'm always running and I'm an on again, off again smoker. I quit smoking for about six months but I've recently binged on the Newports again. Since I quit I've been able to run without fatigue better (duh!). But I was wondering if there is an exact scientific statistic on how long it takes for your lungs to recover, or if it varies by person. I'm pretty active, I run five days a week for four or five miles a shot. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You. Excuse me, I spelled cigarettes wrong. Oooops
Asked by montana16niner - Tue Feb 27 22:46:15 2007 - Respiratory Diseases - 5 Answers - Comments

A. My husband decided to stop smoking in June '06. His doctor xrayed his lungs. His doctor wanted him to return in 4 weeks to check his breathing. When he listened to his breathing he said that he could tell that his breathing was much better. He also xrayed his lungs and you could see the improvement there. I really do not think that running will prevent the cigarettes from harming your lungs, running is much better for cardiac.
Answered by ~Sheila~ - Tue Feb 27 23:49:26 2007

What changes occur in the lungs when lung capacity is built?
Q. What happens in the lungs when lung capacity is built, like what physical changes take place when you build lung capacity. Eg, is it a muscular thing or do the lungs grow.. etc. Thanks in advance.
Asked by Jarrod M - Mon Feb 8 05:24:35 2010 - Biology - 1 Answers - Comments

A. The aveolie sacs grow and divide.
Answered by Jonathan18 - Wed Feb 10 23:06:21 2010

How do I donate my lungs to a family member?
Q. I am dieing. I will be donating all of my organs but my lungs I want to specifically donate to my nephew. Does he have to be in the end stage of his disease or already on a transplant list in order to be able to take mine? He is not on a transplant list. He has TB and COPD which is just getting worse. Is it possible for him to take my lungs? If so, then how do you go about setting this up?
Asked by - Sun May 29 14:22:35 2011 - Respiratory Diseases - 5 Answers - Comments

A. You ask or make an appointment with the transplant coordinator at a large hospital that does transplants. Your nephew has to be a tissue match in order for you to be able to donate to him so a lot of testing would need to be done first. Secondly, if he has active TB, he would probably not be a candidate to receive any transplant. If you want to donate, you need to put this in writing in your will and in your health care power of attorney papers so that family members will carry out your wishes. Your donation may benefit others, giving them a chance at a better quality of life, even if your lungs cannot go to your nephew. It would also depend on what you are dying from as to whether you would even be a candidate to donate any organs/tissues. [cont.]
Answered by J B - Sun May 29 14:47:32 2011

How does bacteria get into the lungs from the upper respiratory tract?
Q. Like in meningitis, how do these bugs travel so well into the lungs?
Asked by Vena Cava - Tue Nov 24 20:43:30 2009 - Respiratory Diseases - 2 Answers - Comments

A. Certain types of meningitis are unique in that the microbes become suspended in the air and can remain that way for an extended period of time. Disease that spread in an airborne fashion, such as meningitis and tuberculosis, are delivered to your lungs by simply breathing. For other diseases, such as bacterial pneumonia, the migration to the lungs is more difficult. The trachea is lined with cells that secrete mucous and other cells that have microscopic hair-like projections. Mucous is constantly produced and swept outward. This catches most microbes and expels them from the respiratory tract before they can cause problems. Diseases make it past this system when we don't expel the mucous in a timely manner. This can be because we are… [cont.]
Answered by Steven H - Wed Nov 25 00:02:06 2009

Are the Lungs the most imperfect part of the human body?
Q. I can't think of another organ that is as vulnerable. We need them to live and they have to constantly be working like the heart, but things like fiberglass and asbestos can get stuck in there and our only defense is to cough until we die. Shouldn't there be a better method of purging dangerous materials from the lungs considering it's very easy for particles to get stuck in there? Shouldn't humans develop a filter in the trachea? Why not?
Asked by Inmate No. 6602224175 - Tue Oct 14 01:08:50 2008 - Biology - 6 Answers - Comments

A. Ok.. assume there was a filter in trachea that collects asbestos and harmful particle.. what will happen if it gets clogged? you ll not even be able to breathe air properly then there must be something else created to send out the collected material, and it ll become a complex process this can't make a lung an imperfect organ.. the reason it is this way is that it ll let you live a little longer without a filter that would otherwise be worser
Answered by rare - Tue Oct 14 03:45:36 2008

What's the difference between lungs and lungs with asthma?
Q. For people who have asthma, what makes breathing difficult? What happens to your lungs when you are diagnosed with it? Does it become smaller or something? lol I have Exercise-Induced Asthma. I'm just curious to know what happens to your lungs inside that's making all this happen.
Asked by - Wed Dec 14 16:55:18 2011 - Respiratory Diseases - 1 Answers - Comments

A. yes during asthma the lungs contract causing limited airflow (AZ-ma) is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning. Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood. In the United States, more than 22 million people are known to have asthma. Nearly 6 million of these people are children.
Answered by lovey dovey - Wed Dec 14 17:33:22 2011

What happens when the lungs receive blood from the left atrium?
Q. when you inhale, the blood from the lungs become oxygenated. which then the oxygen-rich blood goes into the right and left pulmonary veins. from there the blood enters the left atrium and then the mitral valve allows the blood to be pumped into the left ventricle. but if you have mitral valve prolapse it can cause the blood from the left atrium to backflow into the lungs. what can happen when the lungs receive the oxygenated blood from the left atrium?
Asked by iCrayons - Tue Feb 15 22:23:16 2011 - Respiratory Diseases - 2 Answers - Comments

A. you drown.
Answered by - Tue Feb 15 22:24:27 2011

How long after you start smoking do your lungs damage?
Q. If my friend quits smoking for a month, after smoking 1.5 packs a day for 20 year, how quickly will his lungs heal in a month and if he starts again how fast will they be crap again?
Asked by darren b - Wed Aug 13 00:54:36 2008 - Respiratory Diseases - 3 Answers - Comments

A. everybody is different but the body starts to heal immediately you give up the cigs you feel improvement within 24hrs you can't change the past what's done is done but there are only advantages to living a healthy life smoking is just not worth the hassle and it's never too late to make a decision to lead a healthy life people talk about "giving up smoking" believe me you're not giving up something you will miss, it's a pain in the arse
Answered by Janey - Wed Aug 13 01:13:39 2008

How do I help make my lungs healthy after quitting smoking?
Q. I've smoked for 35 yrs. and now I've stopped! So, is there a procedure I can do to get my lungs cleaned or will they ever be healthy again?
Asked by Angie S - Sat Feb 20 19:46:43 2010 - Respiratory Diseases - 3 Answers - Comments

A. Bravo! Quitting is a huge accomplishment. Your body will work to purge itself of the toxins that are in all of your organs and cells, not just your lungs. It is normal to experience some "illness" of a respiratory type as your lungs find ways to expectorate. Some people feel disappointed at being sick more after quitting than they did when smoking. Eat healthy, exercise and breath. After about a year you will feel wonderful.
Answered by - Sat Feb 20 20:38:23 2010

What happens to a climber's lungs as they go up a mountain?
Q. The answer is supposed to relate to pressure and gas laws. What also happens to a diver's lungs as they descend into the ocean floor?
Asked by Jess - Sun Apr 27 21:44:04 2008 - Other - Science - 1 Answers - Comments

A. As a climber goes up a mountain, due to change in pressure, with decreasing pressure, the lungs will expand more, increasing the lung capacity. They will have difficulty breathing though because there is less oxygen higher up, and your body will straight to breathe due to the pressure difference that your thorassic cage produces with the diaphragm. The reverse happens with a diver, as they go further to the ocean floor, there is increased pressure from the volume of water above them, so their lungs and chest cavity is compressed smaller as gas is compressible. This makes it harder to breathe, however with gas tanks, they use less oxygen because the lungs are smaller. This though is problematic because they will end up increasing breathing… [cont.]
Answered by flehrad - Mon Apr 28 09:50:06 2008

What is the best way to expand your lungs and breath more efficiently?
Q. I want to havebig lungs so I can run easier and do everything while breathing more easily. I want to be able to run far and fast without having to stop for air.
Asked by Male16 - Mon Nov 27 06:57:01 2006 - Diet & Fitness - 6 Answers - Comments

A. Like any body part, you can exercise your lungs to be more efficient and powerful. I'd recommend the following: go for a 15 minute walk once a day (you can do this exercise any time but it's most effective if you do it for 15 minutes or more at a time). While you're walking, take a deep breath lasting about 4 steps, hold it for 4 steps, then exhale for 4 steps, then hold your lungs empty for 4 steps. Once you've done that, increase it to 5 or 6 steps. Keep doing that for the entire walk. It's harder than it sounds. Make sure you breathe properly - expanding your stomach to let the diaphragm muscles do their work on the inhale. Try not to use your shoulders to breathe deeply, that's not as effective.
Answered by jfellrath - Mon Nov 27 07:54:04 2006