Another Reason to Quit Smoking—The Effects It Has on Your Joint Health
Negative Effects of Smoking
Everyone knows that smoking causes many health risks. The bad habit can lead to many types of cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and heart disease, not to mention the bad effects it has on your teeth and gums. However, fewer people are aware of how smoking can physically affect your joint health. Studies have shown that smoking exacerbates the mechanisms behind arthritis and cartilage loss. Also, if your joints have recently suffered trauma, your smoking habit can significantly increase the rate of cartilage loss and lead to the need for invasive treatment or surgery later down the road.
Smoking and the Loss of Bone and Joint Health
Below are just a few of the many ways in which smoking can inhibit your musculoskeletal health;
- Smoking reduces the blood supply to your bones, joints, and other body tissues, and smokers are more likely to suffer overuse injuries like bursitis and tendonitis.
- Since the nicotine in cigarettes has been known to slow the production of bone-forming cells, fractures can take longer to heal in the bodies of smokers. Poor wound-healing and infections are but a few of the issues related to the decreased blood supply to the tissues.
- Smoking can significantly inhibit your athletic performance. The habit impairs lung growth and function, which inhibits the oxygen supply to your muscles and increases the risk of injury.
Alternatives to Joint Surgery
Regenerative Medicine therapy, enhances your body’s natural repair mechanisms to accelerate the healing response. Many patients have been successfully treated with regenerative therapy, including knee disorders such as meniscal tears, cartilage defects, arthritis, and even failed surgery.
Looking For a Regenerative Medicine Expert?
Contact the office of Dennis Lox, M.D for a consultation today.
Tampa Bay Area, Florida and Los Angeles, California