How Tobacco is Harming Your Bones and Spine

The damage caused by smoking and tobacco products is not limited to the lungs or heart; it also has a serious impact on bone and spine health, experts say. According to doctors, the nicotine in tobacco reduces blood flow in the body, which disrupts the normal growth and repair process of bones.

According to experts, bone is an active tissue that undergoes regular reconstruction. But smoking reduces the supply of blood and nutrients needed by bones. As a result, after a bone fracture, it takes longer to heal and in many cases fails to heal properly. This condition is called ‘non-union’ in medical science.

Smoking also has a harmful effect on the spine. The discs of the spine play an important role in maintaining the body’s balance and reducing the stress of injuries. Smoking for a long time can cause these discs to deteriorate rapidly, resulting in back pain, disc slippage, and various problems caused by pressure on the nerves.

Apart from this, smoking also increases the risk of osteoporosis. In this disease, bones become weak and the possibility of breaking even with a minor injury increases. Although the risk increases with age, this problem can also occur at a relatively young age in long-term tobacco users.

According to doctors, not only cigarettes, but also gutkha or chewing tobacco are equally harmful. Because nicotine, when it enters the body in any way, has a negative effect on the normal functioning of bones.

Experts also said that if the patient can stop smoking before and after a bone fracture or surgery, the chances of a patient recovering quickly and the risk of complications increases. Therefore, they have advised to seriously consider the smoking habit in cases of problems like chronic back pain or repeated bone fractures.

Source: Hindustan Times