The potential consequences of smoking are well-known. Smoking tobacco can lead to premature death, chronic lung disease, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. In recent decades, researchers have discovered that smoking tobacco can also increase the chances you’ll suffer from osteoporosis and bone fractures. With there being so many potential negative consequences from smoking, it’s no wonder the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that millions of Americans currently have a disease that was caused by their tobacco use.

 

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is often referred to as “a childhood disease with old age consequences” because building healthy, strong bones as a youngster can help you avoid developing osteoporosis in your later years. While building strong bones as a child is a strong defense, you can still adopt new habits and give up old ones as you age to help you avoid the effects of osteoporosis.

Put simply, osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making it more likely that someone with the condition will experience a fracture. Because smoking inhibits the body’s ability to absorb bone-building calcium, the habit only amplifies the potential impacts of osteoporosis as they relate to decreased bone density and the risk of fracture.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, people who smoke tend to have other habits that may also increase the likelihood that they’ll develop osteoporosis. Here are some of them:

• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Low calcium intake
• Lack of exercise
• Extended use of select medications

Smoking does more than increase the chances that you’ll suffer from osteoporosis and/or a fracture. Research shows that the habit can make it more difficult for your bones to heal after they’re fractured.

Osteoporosis Prevention Tips

If you’re familiar with our Matthews, NC medical practice, then you know we do more than “just” address the health problems you’re currently dealing with. We also provide preventative care to help our patients avoid health problems down the line.

When it comes to osteoporosis prevention, one of the wisest things you can do is stop smoking if you’re a smoker. We know quitting is a challenge for many people, but it’s not impossible. There is a myriad of FDA-approved smoking cessation products that can help you kick the habit. Make an appointment with one of our specialists to discuss which products might be best for you.

In addition to quitting smoking, it’s important to follow a diet plan that will enable you to ingest plenty of vitamin D and calcium. More specifically, adults under 50 years-old should consume at least 1,000 mg of calcium daily. Men over 70 and females aged 50 or more should consume a minimum of 1,200 mg of calcium every day.

To ward off osteoporosis, you should engage in regular weight-bearing and resistance exercises to strengthen your bones. Limiting your intake of alcohol can also help prevent the onset of the condition.

For more information about the relationship between smoking and osteoporosis, contact our family medicine clinic serving Charlotte, NC, and nearby areas. If you’re due for a physical or you have a health problem that needs to be addressed, give us a call or reach out to us online to schedule an appointment with the experts at Matthews Internal Medicine now.