Marking his 59th birthday on Saturday, bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan revealed that he has quit smoking. Khan, who had once admitted to smoking 100 cigarettes a day, said that he doesn't feel much but breathless after his new lifestyle change. "Mujhe lga tha ki I will not feel breathless, but abhi woh bhi feel kar raha hoon. Inshallah, woh bhi theek ho jayega. (I thought I wouldn't feel breathless after quitting smoking, but I still do. That too will be okay) One of the primary reasons that Khan is feeling breathless is because his body is healing. Immediately as a person stops smoking tobacco or any other substance, their respiratory system begins healing. Smoking primarily hurts the cilia, which are tiny hair-like structures within the lungs, responsible for removing mucus and toxins. This cilia becomes active once smoking is stopped, cleaning out tar and mucus deposited during the smoking period. This cleaning process may result in a feeling of breathlessness. Another factor is nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine stimulates the central nervous system, which includes slightly increasing heart rate and breathing efficiency. When the body goes into withdrawal from this substance, then the person shows symptoms such as shortness of breath, racing heart and anxiety. The altering of gasses in the respiratory tract also plays a crucial role. After a person quits smoking, carbon monoxide in the blood reduces and oxygen levels rise. This increase may trigger inefficiency in breathing and a change in blood gas levels may manifest itself in temporary shortness of breath.Here's What Smoking Does Toy Your BodySmoking has a profound negative impact on the body, affecting nearly every organ. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association highlights that smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases by damaging blood vessels and reducing blood flow. This can lead to conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.Moreover, smoking harms the lungs, leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. The toxic chemicals in cigarettes also impair the immune system, making smokers more susceptible to infections. Additionally, research indicates that smoking can accelerate ageing, resulting in skin damage and premature wrinkles.The study emphasizes that quitting smoking can significantly improve health outcomes, with benefits observed shortly after cessation. As awareness grows about the dangers of smoking, it’s crucial to understand its extensive effects on overall health and well-being.