Cymraeg
Everyone knows that smoking is linked to cancer and heart disease but not many people know about how it can affect your bones, joints and muscles.
Effect of smoking on bone, joint and muscle health
Many of the bad effects on musculoskeletal health caused by smoking can be reversed and even avoided if you decrease or stop smoking.
Remember smoking does not just affect you but will also affect people around you, including children through passive smoking.
Smoking or inhaling smoke reduces blood supply to bones and soft tissues. Nicotine within tobacco slows the production of bone forming cells and reduces the amount of bone forming calcium that can be absorbed from what you eat. Smoking also reduces the amount of oxygen available to your muscles during activity.
All of these factors combine to lead to the following risks
- Increased risk of developing osteoporosis
- Increased risk of developing injuries to the muscles of your shoulder (rotator cuff)
- Higher risk of developing low back pain and rheumatoid arthritis
- Higher risk of overuse injuries like tendonitis
- Higher risk of fractures (broken bones) or muscle and tendon sprains
Get Help
If you smoke and would like support to quit, Help Me Quit Services are available by contacting: 0800 085 2219 or visiting www.helpmequit.wales for free NHS support to stop smoking.
Individuals can self refer to the service, which consists of one-to-one telephone based support, or walk in to a local community pharmacy for support.
Vaping Information
There has been a significant increase in the numbers of children and young people using e-cigarettes in recent months. They are often easily accessible and made attractive to children and young people due to the flavours on offer, the bright colours used on the products and the low cost.
Whilst we do not know all the risks associated with using these products many will contain nicotine which we know is harmful to developing brains and is highly addictive. There are a large number for sale on the black market which offers cheaper alternatives, with less restrictions on age for sales and therefore more attractive and accessible to young people.
Unfortunately, many of these products do not meet British Standards and are unregulated, they can contain harmful products in both the e-cigarette itself and in the e-liquid. There is also a negative impact on the environment due to the use of plastics and lithium in the battery.
If you are concerned about you or your child being addicted to these products, please seek professional help via GP or school health nurse.
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