Health Tips: Smoking originated in the Americas around 5000 BC, where local tribes used tobacco in religious rituals, and gradually spread throughout the world as colonialism increased. Pipes and tobacco leaves spread through trade. Christopher Columbus encountered tobacco in 1492 and brought it to Europe around 1550, and Jean Nicot popularized it as a medicine, giving rise to cigars, pipes, and snuff. Gradually, medicine and science came together to thoroughly prove the ill effects of smoking on the lungs. But smoking also poses a serious threat to bones, which is often underestimated and goes beyond the effects on the lungs…
On World Smoking Day, we spoke to Dr. Simon Thomas, Senior Director, Robotic Joint Replacements and Orthopedics, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, to understand how traditional nicotine consumption affects your bones in the long run. For patients recovering from fractures or undergoing orthopedic surgeries such as knee and hip replacement, smoking can hinder their recovery.
How is tobacco harmful?
According to Dr. Simon Thomas, nicotine reduces the size of blood vessels, which reduces the availability of oxygen and essential nutrients to the bones. Due to this the bones are not able to join properly after surgery. Apart from this, the toxins present in tobacco also prevent the process of new bone formation. Dr. Simon Thomas says, ‘Tobacco in particular interferes with the function of osteoblasts, the same cells that form new bone. Poor functioning of osteoblasts increases the risk of osteoporosis, due to which bones become weak, brittle and on the verge of breaking even with minor injuries. In addition to hindering fracture healing, smoking can also increase the risk of complications such as infection and surgical hardware failure after surgery.
The best way to regain your body’s ability to regenerate tissue is to quit smoking, and No Smoking Day, also known as World No Tobacco Day, is the perfect day to start. By doing this you can increase your chances of keeping your bones strong and able to walk throughout your life. By quitting smoking and increasing your calcium and vitamin D intake, you can ensure a better life and healthy bones.
Disclaimer: The information and advice given in this news is based on conversations with experts. This is general information, not personal advice. Therefore, before adopting any advice, definitely consult an expert. News-18 will not be responsible for any loss.
