Does Smoking affect the chances of Osteoporosis?

“Cigarette smoking is injurious to health”. The statutory warning cannot sound any truer with the latest finding that smoking is also injurious to the bones.

Several research studies have established that smoking is a risk factor for osteoporosis and bone fractures. S, smoke does not only hurt your lungs but also the bones... Themedguru finds out how...

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and are more prone to fractures. Fractures, as we all are aware of, can often result in disability or even death. The tobacco present in a cigarette, adversely affects the bone cells reducing the bone density. According to Molly T. Vogt, (PhD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery), around 44 percent of Americans are at a major risk of osteoporosis, of which 68 percent are women.

The Medical Review Board states that Osteoporosis can also be called “a childhood disease with old age consequences”. Many a times the effects of osteoporosis are detected only after menopause in women and after the age of 60 in men. Bone tissue development is an important part of a child’s health. If the tissues are not properly developed, or the bone density is not as it should be, the child will grow up to have a very vulnerable bone health.

Apart from smoking, there are also other factors, which contribute to the reduction of bone density. For example, being exceptionally thin or short; having a long family history of osteoporosis or fractures; early menopause; long gaps in menstrual periods; usage of certain drugs for a long time; lack of calcium; lack of enough physical activity; too much intake of alcohol.

How does smoking affect Bone Health?

In an article about the effects of cigarette smoking on bone health, Molly T. Vogt (PhD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery) states, “currently, 25% of the adult population in the United States smoke cigarettes. By the age of 80 years, axial and appendicular bone mineral density will be, on average, 6% to 10% lower in these individuals compared with never-smokers. This decreased density translates into a doubling of risk for spine fractures and a 50% increase (range, 20% to 100%) in risk for hip fracture. One in eight hip fractures in women is attributable to long-term cigarette use.”

Some studies have also proved that smokers’ fractures may take a longer time to heal than non-smokers. Doctors have seen significant bone loss in older men and women who smoke. Another shocking finding has been that “passive smoking” or “second hand smoking” during youth can also increase the chances for osteoporosis. So, even being in proximity of a smoker for long can cause deterioration in the bone health.

How to stop Osteoporosis?

So how do we stop ourselves from falling prey to this dangerous disease? The simplest and the most effective method would be to have a healthy lifestyle. This means:

- Quitting smoking completely
- Regular Exercise
- Nutritious and balanced meal
- Proper intake of calcium rich food products like: egg (especially the egg yolk), salt water fish, leafy vegetables etc. The Institute of Medicine states that for both men and women a regular intake of 1000mg of calcium is a must. This figure increases to 1200mg for people over 50yrs.
- Avoid excessive intake of alcohol.

A disease like osteoporosis leaves you unfit for doing anything yourself and the bones become so brittle that every movement causes pain. It is advisable that we keep as much distance from cigarette smoke as possible. It certainly has the ability to take us to the very brink of death and if not death, and ofcourse a very painful existence. You wouldn’t want an addiction to a tobacco filled pipe to make you bedridden. So, choose a smoke free and healthy life.