Smoking is more a fashion among the youngsters, nowadays. In-office when you are tired and your back is hurting more, most of the times people opt for a relaxing “smoke”. This is the reason, in every office, you can find some dedicated space for the “smokers”. But do you know- what do you do for relaxation of your back and neck- this only complicates the health of your spinal discs. Here is the article about- how does smoking cause problem with spinal discs?
How does smoking effect spinal discs?
Smoking can have an immediate effect on the discs due to the chemical that is inhaled from smoking. As well as increasing spinal degeneration. Smoking causes a build-up of free radicals causing oxidative stress in your body and this can lead to disc failure. This means that smokers are 30% more likely to rupture their discs than non-smokers.
Smoking also causes poor blood flow resulting in a slower healing time and an increased chance of infection. Which can further hinder your discs’ natural healing process. If you have already injured a disc and smoke, you will be more likely to experience a slow recovery due to the increased likelihood of infection.
As well as damaging the outer layers of your disc, smoking has been shown to damage the inner layers too. It causes premature destruction and degeneration in younger smokers. (The Lancet 1998).
How does smoking lead to a lack of vitamin D absorption which in turn can stunt growth in children and teenagers? Furthermore, our bodies need vitamin D for proper calcium use and transport within our body so once again, smoking is causing vitamin deficiency and therefore increased spinal degeneration.
Finally, smokers have a higher chance of developing osteoporosis as well as rheumatoid arthritis which can lead to further spinal degeneration.
Why does smoking affect discs?
Smoking causes the following:
1) Chemical Inhaled-
Often when you inhale cigarette smoke it creates irritation for your whole body but especially for your lungs. This reaction results in inflammation throughout your body (not just your lungs), including the soft tissue in between your vertebrae. The more often you smoke. The worse this condition becomes. Therefore the more likely you are to develop disc herniation.
2) Free Radicals –
When you smoke a cigarette, the chemicals in tobacco smoke create free radicals. Which are highly destructive and dangerous to your body. Smoking has been shown to increase oxidative stress throughout your body, including your discs. This causes faster degeneration of spinal discs and therefore more likely for herniation.
3) Poor Blood Flow –
When you smoke, especially over a long period of time this can cause poor blood flow resulting in slower healing times. When you injure yourself (like if you pursue an active lifestyle). This leads to the condition of Degenerative disc disease.
If you are suffering with DDD, you should opt for Ayurvedic treatment of degenerative disc disease.
4) Vitamin D Deficiency –
Smoking often will result in a vitamin D deficiency which can stunt growth in children as well as impair muscles function throughout your body. Your heart works harder than normal when you are smoking which also increases arterial pressure within your body. This results in less blood flow to your discs and therefore making them weaker and more prone to spinal herniation
5) Increased Risk of Arthritis –
Smokers are at a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis which is an inflammatory condition harming the soft tissues in your joints (a joint is where two bones come together). Smoking also causes additional inflammation throughout your body, including within your spine.
6)Osteoporosis –
Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens the bone structure, leading to a greater chance for vertebral fractures and subsequent disc injuries. Smoking increases the risk of osteoporosis because it causes less absorption of calcium into the bloodstream which means that calcium can be less available to strengthen your bones. This leads to the complex condition of Spondylitis.
The Final Words
So when you want to get rid of the “back pain” and “neck pain” the best idea is to Stop Smoking immediately. Now second question is- when you have damaged the spine by smoking, Ayurveda has help for this too. You can consult with me for this all.
Being a physician for 21 years and dealing with thousands of patients with spinal disc problems, I know the trick. And the trick is all scientific.