If you cough more than usual after you give up cigarettes, find out what it might mean and when to call the doctor.
Answer Section
Coughing more than usual may be a sign your body is starting to heal.
Tobacco smoke paralyzes and destroys some of the tiny hair-like structures in the airways called cilia. As a result, the cilia that remain have trouble sweeping mucus out of the lungs.
When you stop smoking, the cilia regrow and become active again.
As they recover and help move the mucus out of your lungs, you might cough more than usual. This might last for a few weeks or up to a year. But the cough often goes away on its own.
If your cough lasts longer than a month, you may want to check with your health care provider. You may need tests to find out if a medical problem is the cause.
In the meantime, you can do some things to try to feel better:
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids that don't have caffeine, such as juice, to help loosen congestion.
- You also could try a medicine called guaifenesin (Mucinex) to help clear up chest congestion. You can buy it off the shelf at drugstores.
- Suck hard candy or cough drops to soothe your throat and possibly help tame your cough. It also might help to take up to 2 teaspoons of honey before bed.
- Take a steamy shower or use a humidifier to soothe a sore throat.
Some people may notice that starting to smoke again reduces the cough. But this will make your health worse in the long run. Ask your provider to help you stay off cigarettes for good.
Coughing can be uncomfortable, tiring and disruptive to those around you. Get a checkup if your efforts don't bring you relief. Talk to your provider as soon as you can if:
- You're in pain.
- You see any blood in what you cough up.
- Coughing keeps you up when you try to sleep.
Last Updated: February 23rd, 2023
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FAQs
Coughing more than usual may be a sign your body is starting to heal. Tobacco smoke paralyzes and destroys some of the tiny hair-like structures in the airways called cilia. As a result, the cilia that remain have trouble sweeping mucus out of the lungs. When you stop smoking, the cilia regrow and become active again.
Why am I coughing so much since I quit smoking? ›
Tobacco smoke slows the normal movement of the tiny hairs (cilia) that move mucus out of your lungs. 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. This might last for several weeks.
Is it normal for lungs to feel worse after quitting smoking? ›
Healing lung function: While lung function typically improves after quitting, persistent coughing or shortness of breath may occur even 3 months later. This might be due to the lungs clearing out accumulated debris or healing from past smoke exposure.
How long after quitting smoking will I cough up tar? ›
“Once you give up, your lungs start to fight back by coughing up tar. A mug full of tar builds up in the lungs of a 20 a day smoker over the period of a year. It is the toxic chemicals in tar that cause cancer. “Within 2 or 3 months your lung capacity can increase by up to 30%.
How to clear your lungs after quitting smoking? ›
If you plan to quit smoking, take steps now to adequately detox your lungs. Drink more water to help the body rid itself of toxins and other carcinogens. Change your diet, consume less salt and sugar and increase your intake of nutrient-rich foods that will help your body grow new, healthy tissues.
Does lung inflammation go away after quitting smoking? ›
Airway inflammation seems to persist in lung tissue after smoking cessation, whereas studies using sputum, BALF and blood suggest that a reduction occurs, measuring indirect markers of airway inflammation.
How long after quitting smoking does inflammation go away? ›
One study reports that inflammation begins to subside just two weeks after quitting. 19 Other research suggests that the inflammatory response associated with smoking returns to normal within five years of quitting.
How long does it take for lungs to start healing after quitting smoking? ›
1 to 12 months after quitting
Coughing and shortness of breath decrease. Tiny hair-like structures (called cilia) that move mucus out of the lungs start to regain normal function, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
Can lungs heal after 40 years of smoking? ›
Long-time smokers will take longer for their lungs to improve. Some damage from smoking is permanent. Unfortunately, your alveoli cannot restore themselves, but stopping smoking will halt the progression of COPD and improve your ability to breathe.
How long will I cough up brown stuff after quitting smoking? ›
Within a week after your last cigarette, your lungs start cleaning themselves. Smoke slows down the tiny cilia that sweep mucus from your lungs. Once they can do their job right, you might start to cough up brown mucus from the tar you've inhaled over time. This might go on for a few weeks.
Coughing often improves within a month of giving up (although it can get worse initially, as all the mucus in your lungs is cleared out). It can eventually disappear completely. If you don't quit, cutting down on how much you smoke may also help. Some people try different home remedies for managing a smoker's cough.
What is the best vitamin to heal lungs? ›
Vitamins A, C, and E are considered particularly beneficial for those who suffer from any chronic respiratory disease.
What can I drink to detox my lungs? ›
Although cleansing and detox drinks have become increasingly popular, with concoctions of lemon juice, honey, spices, and other herbs circulating social media, there is nothing you can eat or drink that can cleanse your lungs.
Why do I cough more after quitting smoking? ›
Coughing more than usual may be a sign your body is starting to heal. Tobacco smoke paralyzes and destroys some of the tiny hair-like structures in the airways called cilia. As a result, the cilia that remain have trouble sweeping mucus out of the lungs. When you stop smoking, the cilia regrow and become active again.
How long does the smokers flu last? ›
How long does smoker's flu last? While there's no way to avoid these symptoms completely, treatments can reduce their intensity and make them more tolerable. The first week is often the worst, but most of your symptoms should largely disappear after two to four weeks.
How long does it take for your lungs to fully recover from smoking? ›
1 to 12 months after quitting
Coughing and shortness of breath decrease. Tiny hair-like structures (called cilia) that move mucus out of the lungs start to regain normal function, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
How long does acid reflux last after quitting smoking? ›
Smoking relieved some GERD symptoms as quickly as 2 weeks after smoking cessation, but most found significant improvement by 12 weeks. From an older study, among the groups, 12.5%, 11.0%, 33.3%, and 40.0% of these recognized complete symptom relief at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks respectively.
