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Stop Smoking To Regain Joint Flexibility, Cut Back On Pain
Need another reason to put down the smokes? How about being able to bend, turn and otherwise move about with less pain?
A Mayo Clinic rheumatologist found that knee osteoarthritis was much worse in men who smoked than those who didn’t. Their cartilage loss was much more severe, the researcher found, possibly because smoking may damage cells in cartilage. It’s also though that smoking may raise carbon monoxide levels in blood, which might affect how quickly and completely cartilage can repair itself when damaged.
Another study, this one by the American College of Rheumatology, found more evidence tying smoking to rheumatoid arthritis. The data showed that smokers had almost double the risk for developing the condition, especially women.
The good news is that stopping smoking can help turn things around. And after several years of being smoke free, many people have the same risk levels as those who have never smoked. So now’s the time to give up the bad habit and maybe pick up a good habit, such as a daily walk, to increase flexibility and movement in your joints.