| The causal relationship between smoking and | | | | Women who smoke are at risk of developing |
| cardiopulmonary disease and cancer is well | | | | menopause earlier which may lead to a more rapid |
| established. Smoking related illnesses cost Americans | | | | loss of bone density. This occurs because female |
| almost $200 billion each year. Included in this dollar | | | | smokers produce less estrogen and hence, begin |
| figure, are diseases common to other organ systems | | | | menopause at an earlier age. Other factors for |
| that find themselves surrendering to the affects of | | | | developing osteoporosis include family history of |
| smoking. One lesser publicized disease associated with | | | | osteoporosis, low calcium intake, lack of physical |
| smoking is osteoporosis. Researchers found this link | | | | activity, thin or small body type, and excessive |
| more than 20 years ago. It was discovered that | | | | alcohol intake. In our ever changing world, it seems |
| smokers had decreased bone density when | | | | easy to see why osteoporosis is regarded as a real |
| compared to non-smokers. It does take on a little of | | | | health concern among the population. Currently it is |
| the "chicken and the egg" argument, however. It's | | | | estimated that 44 million Americans are at risk for, or |
| difficult for physicians and scientists to accurately say | | | | currently have already been diagnosed with, this |
| whether smoking itself leads to the lower bone | | | | disease - 68% of whom are women. Unfortunately, |
| density or if it's a result of the other common risk | | | | smoking has been on the rise in women over the last |
| factors found in smokers. For example, smokers are | | | | decade. So this does not bode well for them since |
| typically more sedentary. This certainly places them in | | | | they are already considered at higher greater risk for |
| a higher risk profile for developing bone loss. They | | | | developing osteoporosis, then men. |
| also tend to consume more alcohol and have less | | | | The most important action any smoker can take is |
| healthy dietary habits which again, places them at | | | | to just quit smoking. Not only will they reap the usual |
| higher risk. But, regardless of the argument, the fact | | | | lung and heart health benefits typically spoken about |
| remains - smokers have lower bone densities and are | | | | in the press, but they will also uncover other health |
| therefore, at risk for developing osteoporosis. | | | | benefits as well. Stronger bone health can lead to |
| There is no cure for osteoporosis at this time, but | | | | greater activity and improved lifestyle during the |
| much like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | | | | "golden years". The hidden financial benefits are |
| (COPD), it can be prevented with proper nutrition and | | | | reaped when individuals don't have to pay for those |
| a healthy and active lifestyle. Osteoporosis has been | | | | frequent office visits to the doctor or trips to the |
| described as a silent disease in which the damage is | | | | surgeon because of a fractured hip or leg. |
| done when the individual is still relatively young, but | | | | The benefits for quitting smoking seem to go on and |
| the results are not seen until they are much older. | | | | on. The complexity of health concerns associated |
| Simply put, the effects occur without fanfare until it's | | | | with smoking is indeed, difficult to grasp at times. |
| too late. Older men and women who smoke are | | | | Allied health care professionals each have their own |
| often diagnosed with significant bone loss. This results | | | | stories about their smoking patients. Each patient had |
| in smokers having a higher incidence of fractures | | | | their life negatively impacted because of something |
| over non-smokers. And the longer a person smokes, | | | | they thought was going to make them look cool as a |
| the greater that risk is. In addition, smokers may | | | | teenager. It's hard to look cool though, when you're |
| take longer to heal from their fractures and | | | | wearing a hospital gown and you have 17 metal |
| potentially have greater complications associated with | | | | screws in your leg. |
| their fractures. | | | | |