A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Why do I not cough a lot when quitting smoking?

Best Answers

Coughing is not mandatory after quitting smoking. Smoking, besides irritating the airways and setting inflammation, also reduces the movement of cilia — tiny hair-like structures that line the airways —responsible for propelling mucus (phlegm) from lungs into the throat for expulsion. read more

When you stop smoking, the cilia become active again. As the cilia recover and the mucus is cleared from your lungs, you might cough more than usual — perhaps for several weeks. In addition to reduced cough, most other respiratory symptoms, such as phlegm (mucus) production and shortness of breath, continue to improve for up to a year after stopping cigarette smoking. read more

Smoking Cessation-Related Coughing. When we stop smoking, cilia gradually start functioning again and the lungs begin the work of moving trapped toxins up and out. It is thought that this might cause a cough that could last for the first couple of months of smoking cessation until cilia have fully recovered. read more

Image Answers

Coughing after quitting cigarettes
Source: slideshare.net

Further Research