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 Research from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Lung Association has shown that smoking related diseases result in over 430,000 deaths each year. 87% of chronic bronchitis, emphysema and lung cancers were a result of smoking cigarettes, according to the American Lung Association.
Smoking is known to cause:
- Chronic lung disease
- Esophageal cancer
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
However did You Know Smoking was Bad for your Bones?
All organs and tissues in the body receive their nutrition via good blood flow. The nutrition to your bones works in the same way.
Nutrients via good blood flow are desperately needed when a bone is injured to assist with the healing process.
Constricted blood flow is caused in smokers due to a larger amount of nicotine in their blood and this greatly affects the progression of healing in injured tissues and bone.
As a result of this decreased blood flow, oxygen and other nutrients are restricted to reach the injured bone of the smoker and the healing is compromised
 When the bone density is affected due to reduced nutrition to the injured bone, Osteoporosis poses as another high health risk showing again how smoking is bad for your bones.
Smokers regularly suffer from lower back pain due to the increased amount of nicotine in their blood. The nicotine reduces blood flow to all areas of the body including the spine.
Pain can be caused by the discs becoming malnourished and degenerated. This weakness is cause by the bones being deprived of oxygen. Even more pain is caused when a smoker coughs, as this causes the discs to aggravate.
The required healing time is increased after spinal surgery because of smoking. Because of this in a few cases doctors actually refuse surgery to a patient who smokes as the bone building cells are damaged by the increased presence of nicotine.
 Your health can be dramatically affected by chronic smoking. It can lead to:
- A higher chance of fracturing a hip
- Prolonged healing of wounds as blood flow to the skin is decreased
- Increase in time required for bone fractures to heal
- Painful neuropathy caused by restricted blood flow to feet and hands
- Osteoporosis as a result of decreased bone density
It is highly suggested that you take appropriate action to quit smoking if you suffer from any of the symptoms described above.
Some strategies to consider which could help you immensely include:
- Ensure your life is quite stress free
- Increase your energy, decrease stress and strengthen your bones by exercising daily
- Focus consistently on the main reason why you want to quit
- Find support through family, friends and local support groups
Your health and wellbeing is most important.
Call Central City Health Professionals Today on 08 9421 1733 today and let us show how we can help you.
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