Cigarette smoking has been strongly linked with a number of serious health conditions like heart disease, emphysema, lung cancer and other cardiovascular ailments. This habit is responsible for nearly 440 000 more than 2.4 4 million premature deaths in the United States and is one of the main causes of death worldwide.
The effects of smoking are well documented in terms of cardiovascular and circulatory health. However, recent medical studies have revealed a correlation between smoking and back pain.
Various studies suggest that smoking may increase the risk of developing back pain by about 30 percent. Additionally, smokers can also be sensitive to pain in the neck, shoulders, hands, elbows, knees and hips.
Although the cause of this condition is unclear, possible reasons that smoking can damage the overall musculoskeletal (muscles and skeletal system), tissues include reducing blood flow to tissues, raising clotting risks, and reduce the flow of nutrients to the muscles, joints, and back. Heavy coughing because of cigarette smoking may also be a factor in the development of back pain among smokers.
This injury is possible because cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals which 60 are carcinogenic. Formaldehyde, arsenic, cadmium, benzene and ethylene oxide are some of the substances that can cause cancer.
These chemicals can accelerate the development of atherosclerosis, a disease that affects large and medium arteries. This condition damages the blood vessels making them difficult to relax.
Smoking can also cause the artery walls to the vessel walls and cause pieces of plaque clogging arteries stiffen up some. When plaque clogs the arteries, blood flow can be prevented, and certain nutrients may be deprived of certain parts of the body including the spine and can lead to back pain.
Studies that link cigarette smoking to back pain is not conclusive and more studies need to be confirmed. But the message is clear that smokers who suffer from back pain have many reasons to kick this dreaded habit. Quitting smoking can not immediately relieve the pain, but it may help. Cutting the habit can also lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, various cancers and other diseases.
People who find it difficult to quit smoking can use scientifically proven stop smoking products and alternative methods available. These products, however, cannot do all the work, the most powerful and effective stop smoking involves determination, discipline, and commitment to stop the habit permanently.
By using these products, and engage in alternative methods can help cut smoking habit by making them more comfortable and complacent to adjust to life without cigarettes. These products should not be used without the authorization of health professionals because it can cause unwanted side effects in some individuals and interact with other medicines.
People who want to quit smoking can also try other methods to stop smoking by trying other methods like meditation and self hypnosis. Ask your doctor about how you can participate in these activities. With the right tools and attitude, cigarette smoking may be abandoned.