Smoking is a public health issue and is indisputably the leading preventable cause of death in the US and the world. It causes heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema, and stroke. It also contributes to many debilitating diseases.
Physicians are poised to help smokers quit because tobacco smoke has more than 7,000 chemicals that reduce lung capacity, leading to reduced exercise and deterioration of overall health. Experts present evidence that smoking can reduce the overall bone mass that leads to osteoporosis, rendering them susceptible to fractures in the hip and spine that likely will heal slowly.
How Smoking Affects Bones and Musculoskeletal Health
Dr. Russell Stitzlein, an orthopedic surgeon from the University of California, Irvine, said tobacco smoking is bad for the bones as it makes them prone to osteoporosis and bone fractures.
As an assistant professor and chief of orthopedic oncology in the university's Department of Orthopedic Surgery, he explained that there are several ways that smoking weakens bones. First, it reduces blood supply to bones and many body tissues.
Also, the nicotine in cigarettes slows down the production of bone-producing cells called osteoblasts and affects the balance of hormones needed to build and maintain a strong skeleton, especially in women.
According to OrthoInfo, older people have 30% to 40% more chances of breaking their hips than their non-smoking counterparts. Smoking decreases calcium absorption necessary for bone mineralization, which prevents the development of fragile bones.
Furthermore, smoking also affects other tissues in the musculoskeletal system, which increases the likelihood of injury and disease. Smokers are more likely to have rotator cuff tears in their shoulders than non-smokers counterparts due to the low quality of their tendons. Also, they are more likely to suffer traumatic injuries and have a higher risk of low back pain and rheumatoid arthritis.
Lastly, smoking has a detrimental effect on athletic performance as it decreases lung capacity. They tend to suffer more from shortness of breath and have difficulty running as fast or far as non-smokers.
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Quitting Reverses Effect of Smoking and Improves Bone Health
Dr. Puneet Mishra from Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh said in an interview that in light of the evidence of the effects of smoking on the bones, she recommends quitting it. She noted that smoking cessation reverses the harmful effects of smoking, but it is also important to incorporate it into lifestyle changes, such as:
- Doing an exercise or physical activity regularly- Walking, climbing stairs, weight training, and dancing encourages healthy bones.
- Eating a balanced diet- Foods rich in calcium are highly recommended, as well as leafy green vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. But for those who cannot get the recommended daily amounts of calcium, taking supplements is also recommended.
- Getting enough Vitamin D- The body makes natural vitamin D from the sunlight, but it can also be derived from foods, such as egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver. Vitamin D is essential to the body because it helps in the absorption of calcium.
- Avoid excessive alcohol- Alcohol consumption interferes with the absorption of vitamin D and calcium.
- Take a bone density test- It is best to consult a health professional to check a person's bone health once in a while.
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