It has been well documented for years now how bad smoking is for your health. Smoking related diseases are the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States.
It has been well documented for years now how bad smoking is for your health. Smoking related diseases are the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States. In general, smokers tend to live up to a whole decade less than non-smokers. But is all that smoking specifically affecting your osteoarthritis or its symptoms?
According to a study published in January 2007 Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, men who smoke have more severe pain associated with osteoarthritis and greater cartilage loss over all. Smokers are also 1.5 times more likely to have overuse injuries such as tendonitis and bursitis when compared to non-smokers.
Studies have also shown smoking to:
- Reduce blood supply to your bones, slowing cartilage repair.
- Slow the production of bone-forming cells (osteoblasts).
- Decrease absorption of calcium from your diet, an essential nutrient for bone and joint health.
- Deter cell production in cartilage.