The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics is redefining the way musculoskeletal care is delivered across the region with locations throughout Maryland, DC, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
In the United States smoking claims more than 440,000 lives each year. In general, it reduces life expectancy by 7-10 years.
Besides heart and lungs diseases, smoking seriously affects spine, discs, bones and joints
Every tissue in the human body is affected by smoking, but several effects are reversible. By avoiding or quitting smoking, you can reduce your risk for incurring many conditions. Quitting smoking can also help your body regain some of its normal healthy functioning.
Following are the scientific findings that explain the relationship between smoking and musculoskeletal health.
Smoking increases your risk of developing osteoporosis — a weakness of bone that causes fractures. Elderly smokers are 30% to 40% more likely to break their hips than their non-smoking counterparts. Smoking weakens bones in several ways, including:
Smoking also affects the other tissues that make up the musculoskeletal system, increasing the risk of injury and disease:
Smoking has a detrimental effect on fracture and wound healing.
Because smoking slows lung growth and impairs lung function, there is less oxygen available for muscles used in sports.
Smokers suffer from shortness of breath almost three times more often than nonsmokers. Smokers cannot run or walk as fast or as far as nonsmokers.
Smoking can make you too thin and put you at greater risk for fractures. Nicotine signals the brain to eat less and can prevent the body from getting adequate nutrition. Having a good body weight is important for general health.
Healthy Bones Smoker's Bones
Shaheer Yousaf MD
Center For Advanced Orthopedics
Source: AAOS