Updated June 09, 2015.
Smokers, do you need one more good reason to quit smoking? If the risk of heart disease and cancer is not enough to motivate you to quit smoking perhaps this study from the Carolinas Medical Center will.
The study, reported in the January/February 2001 Journal of American Academy of Orthopedics shows that smoking impairs muscle, bones and joints health. This means that smokers are at much higher risk of developing osteoporosis.
The study was based on a literature review of previously reported scientific data on the relationship between smoking and musculo-skeletal disease. The paper presented in the journal "The Musculoskeletal Effects of Smoking" highlights this relationship in their findings.
if you are a smoker, talk with your physician about smoking cessation and ways that he can support your efforts to quit. Many hospitals and health systems offer classes and support for smokers to help them become ex-smokers. Make the commitment today and gain a stronger body.
Updated 12/02/05
Smokers, do you need one more good reason to quit smoking? If the risk of heart disease and cancer is not enough to motivate you to quit smoking perhaps this study from the Carolinas Medical Center will.
The study, reported in the January/February 2001 Journal of American Academy of Orthopedics shows that smoking impairs muscle, bones and joints health. This means that smokers are at much higher risk of developing osteoporosis.
The study was based on a literature review of previously reported scientific data on the relationship between smoking and musculo-skeletal disease. The paper presented in the journal "The Musculoskeletal Effects of Smoking" highlights this relationship in their findings.
- Many people experiencing low back pain are also smokers. This back pain, the authors of the study suggest could result from the cardiovascular disease smoking causes. They write that the lumbar discs may be malnourished by a poor blood supply caused by smoking. This poor blood supply leads to back pain and ultimately disc disease.
- The tissue of smokers does not get an adequate blood supply to promote healing. Oxygen, which is carried by the blood and is necessary for healing is reduced in smokers. Several studies have shown that smokers who brake hips, have surgical procedures or traumatic wounds often take much longer to heal than do non-smokers. Smoking also causes broncospasm which reduces the amount of oxygen available in the blood stream.
- Women who smoke have significantly lower bone mass that may be due to the inhibition of estrogens effect by nicotine. Women who smoke also start menopause on average 5 years prior to non-smokers. The combination of these 2 factors puts women smokers at significantly higher risk of osteoporosis and at higher risk of fractures dues to weakened bones.
- Male smokers are also at increased risk of developing osteoporosis because smoking affects the production of bone cells.
- Anyone receiving orthopedic treatment for an injury or other condition should also be counseled in smoking cessation. For example the rate of healing and subsequently the success of spinal fusion surgery is decreased in smokers after spinal fusion.
if you are a smoker, talk with your physician about smoking cessation and ways that he can support your efforts to quit. Many hospitals and health systems offer classes and support for smokers to help them become ex-smokers. Make the commitment today and gain a stronger body.
Updated 12/02/05