Why Coughing May Occur After You Quit Smoking

Why Coughing May Occur After You Quit Smoking Addiction Nicotine Use Nicotine Withdrawal Print Coughing After You Quit Smoking By Terry Martin facebook twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial policy Terry Martin Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on October 07, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on December 12, 2019 Verywell / JR Bee More in Addiction Nicotine Use Nicotine Withdrawal After You Quit How to Quit Smoking Smoking-Related Diseases The Inside of Cigarettes Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Coping and Recovery Although coughing is not a common symptom of withdrawal from smoking cigarettes, some ex-smokers do develop a cough early on in smoking cessation for a short period of time.?? The reason for this usually has to do with the cilia in our lungs.   Cigarette smoke paralyzes and damages thousands of tiny hair-like projections in our lungs called cilia. When you stop smoking, cilia start to function again, which can prompt you to cough. The Function of Cilia in Lungs Cilia are a protective barrier between the outside world and the delicate tissue of the lungs. The bronchial tubes in healthy lungs are lined with a thin coating of mucus and cilia. Moving back and forth in unison, cilia clean house by sweeping inhaled pollutants that have been trapped in the mucus layer  back out of the body.?? Once the mucus reaches the throat, its either coughed/spit out or swallowed. This work done between cilia and the mucus layer in lungs protects us from a host of respiratory infections and diseases. How Smoking Affects Cilia Cigarette smoke is made up of thousands of chemicals that have damaging effects on the lungs. It also leaves a sticky yellow coating called tar on everything it touches, including a smokers teeth, fingers, clothing and furniture, and the inside of the lungs. In the lungs, the buildup of tar shuts down the motion of cilia and causes inflammation in the airways, prompting excess mucus production. With the lungs natural defense system neutralized, toxic particles in cigarette smoke and other inhaled dust, dirt, and germs stay in the lungs,?? putting smokers at risk for chest infections and respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. Smoking Cessation-Related Coughing When you stop smoking, cilia gradually start functioning again and the lungs begin the work of moving trapped toxins up and out.?? This might cause a cough that could last for the first couple of months of smoking cessation until cilia have fully recovered. If you are concerned about your cough, how long it is lasting, or any other symptom you experience when you quit smoking, dont hesitate to check in with your doctor to have it evaluated. What You Can Do for  Your Cough While you dont want to necessarily reduce the productive quality of the cough because it is helping to rid the lungs of tobacco pollutants, there are a few things you can do to soothe your throat and help the process along: Stay hydrated by drinking water, juice, and tea.  Teas with licorice root are an especially good choice as licorice root is a natural expectorant  that also  soothes the throat.??Use a humidifier in your home, especially if you live in a dry environment.  It will help to loosen mucus and allow for a productive cough.??Ease your tender throat with a tablespoon of honey one to three times a day. It coats and soothes raw throats nicely. Warning Signs of Something More Serious If you experience any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible, as there may be something more serious than cilia recovery going on: Shortness of Breath???: Struggling to catch your breath after little or no exertion, or feeling that it is difficult to breathe in and out.Wheezing???: Noisy breathing may be a sign of inflammation in your airway.Blood in Sputum: Coughing up flecks or streaks of blood in phlegm. A Word From Verywell Nicotine withdrawal can produce a number of discomforts that may be intense, but they are temporary and signs of healing from the damage that tobacco has inflicted. Do some reading about what you can expect as you recover from nicotine addiction, and connect with other ex-smokers  for support that will help you go the distance with smoking cessation. Its worth the work it takes, and the benefits are undeniable.