Coughing up Green Plegm Since Quitting Smoking

Dear Ask The Doctor: I am 32 years old and gave up smoking on 1 st October 2009, I have been a smoker on and off for over 10 years, but was more of a social smoker, so would only have 2/3 during the day but maybe 15 on a night out (once or twice a month). Ever since I have given up I have alot of green phelym just sitting on my chest and when I cough it comes out. I have tried steaming, cattarh sweets, cough medicine etc.. but nothing has helping apart from to loosen it slightly. Its nearly 4 months now since I quit, is this a normally occurance once you give up smoking>? Please advise. I also sing and I cant at the moment as the pheplym is sitting on my chest and when i sing high notes, nothing comes out. Please advise me whether this is my bodies way of detoxing and how long will it last for? Thank you

Dear SAMANTHA: Congratulations on quitting smoking.  Although you are feeling worse, it will get better as the benefits of quitting smoking are not immediate.

I have included some points from an older surgeon generals publication that outlines the benefits of quitting smoking and when to expect them. I find it helpful with my patients. I hope you find it helpful as well.

• Just 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your blood pressure and
• pulse rate drop to normal and the body temperature of your hands and feet increases to normal.
• A mere 8 hours after your last smoke, the carbon monoxide level decreases and the oxygen level in your blood increases to normal
• Just 24 hours after your last cigarette, you substantially lessen your chances of having a heart attack.
• Two days after your last cigarette, you will notice that your ability to taste and smell is enhanced.
• Three days later, your breathing should be noticeably better because your lung capacity will be greater.
• Your circulation will improve and your lung functioning will increase up to 30% within two weeks to three months after quitting.
• Between one month and nine months, the cilia in your lungs will regenerate, allowing your body to clean your lungs and reduce infection.
• One year after quitting, your risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
• Five years after quitting, your risk of stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.
• Ten years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smokers. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throath, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.
• Fifteen years after quitting, your risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmokers.

I like to highlight the fact that it can take up to 9 months for all the mucous in the lungs to clear out.  A visit to your doctor will also help to rule out an active infection.  If there is no active infection, then this process can take up to 9 months.