How Long Does A “smokers Cough” Last After You Quit Smoking?
I quit smoking at the end of September. Here lately, I have had a terrible smokers cough for about the past 3 weeks. I have heard from several people that you will cough for quite a while to clear your lungs of all of the tar (I was a pack a day smoker for 8 years). Does anyone know approximatley how long this is supposed to last? It is driving me insane!
September 13th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
It can actually last the rest of your life if you did enough damage to your lungs and got yourself a case of COPD. However, it’s going to take a good 6-12 months for your lungs to heal to a nearly ‘healthy’ level. It didn’t get that way overnight, it’s not going to go away overnight.
September 13th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
It can last for a while but your doctor can give you something to help it.
September 14th, 2009 at 1:29 am
First of all, congratulations. I quit almost a year ago and I feel great. You will too!
The cough is you lungs way of clearing themselves out. Ironically, you acatually cough more just after you quit. It’s normal. Should clear up shortly.
Life as a non-smoker is great. Keep up the good work; it’s well worth it. Pretty soon you won’t miss it at all.
September 14th, 2009 at 8:19 am
I’m not exactly sure but I know that for every year you smoke, it takes 5 years to clears it out of your lungs. Oh and by the way Congrats on quiting. ! =]
September 14th, 2009 at 10:56 am
You might have this cough for the rest of your life if you smoked a pack a day for eight years. You will cough alot more because your ridding your lungs of all the phlegm. But you may have this nagging cough for the rest of your life..its hard to say..talk to your doctor
September 14th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I imagine it all depends on how long you smoked, how many packs per day, and how long you have been away from smoking? Either way, your lungs and heart will be much better off then they were I would think!
September 14th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Forever.
September 14th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Best to see your Dr.
I quit back in 2001 and never had a smokers cough, even
when I smoked.. I was a 2 pack a day person also…
Really, see your Dr.. it might not be a smokers cough…
could be bronchitis on asthma..
Good Luck to you!