Smoking, Obesity & Arthritis Pain

Smoking and obesity are leading risk factors for most bodily ailments. It is thus not surprising that they play a role in worsening arthritis pain. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition triggered by autoimmune responses. It is characterized by pain, swelling and inflammation of the joints and muscles. When an individual smokes, specific inflammatory mechanisms are invoked that aggravate inflammation and, as a result, worsen the pain.

In obese people, excessive weight applies pressure on compromised joints, thereby exacerbating pain. In addition, obesity leads to high levels of the inflammatory enzyme cytokine, causing elevated levels of inflammation in the body. It is thus essential to maintain healthy body weight and practice to improve arthritic pain.

Smoking and Arthritis

Many studies suggest a link between smoking and the worsening of arthritis pain. Smoking reduces the effectiveness of drugs taken to control and manage arthritis. Active smokers are less likely to recover from arthritis despite heavy medication. Fatality is also high among arthritis patients who are heavy smokers. However, life expectancy increased significantly on quitting, as per a study.

Long-term chain smokers are at a higher risk of developing and worsening arthritis symptoms. Heavy smokers often experience the most aggressive forms of rheumatoid arthritis and have difficulty controlling disease activity. Not only do they experience poor responses to medications, but they also have lower exercise tolerance. Thus, regular functioning or daily activities is further compromised.

Smokers with a family history of arthritis should think of quitting to avoid developing the disorder. Although, even without having a family history of arthritis, one must avoid smoking, for it is a significant risk factor for most conditions.

Some significant effects of smoking on arthritis include:
Smoking elevates inflammation levels in the body, which triggers inflammation in people with arthritis. Furthermore, the free radicals in tobacco add to the thickening of the synovial lining of the joint.

Smokers have been known to have high levels of cytokines, which are inflammatory proteins. The tobacco in the smoke compels the body to release cytokines, thereby adding to the inflammation. They damage the joints and worsen the symptoms of arthritis. Smoking induces the production of anti-CCP antibodies, exacerbating symptoms in people with the gene called HLA-DRB1.

Increased smoking frequency leads to swollen joints, tenderness, and increased inflammation in the body. Smokers don't respond to most arthritis treatment modalities and are less likely to get remission, meaning the disease activity in such individuals is low. In addition, the effectiveness of drugs is also compromised.

Smoking worsens inflammation and causes complications; it disrupts the functioning of other body systems. One should consider quitting since smoking does no good to the body. On the contrary, it only worsens health and creates complications. If you need help leaving, contact your healthcare provider.

Obesity and Arthritis Pain

Being overweight complicates ongoing diseases and predisposes us to other medical health problems. For example, excess weight can worsen arthritis symptoms and deteriorate the condition of joints or complicated body systems.

Research suggests that a rise in obesity among the population has caused a sharp increase in cases of osteoarthritis.

Excess weight applies pressure on the knees and adds to arthritis pain and swelling. In addition, the extra kilos make people more vulnerable to developing arthritis and hasten cartilage destruction.

Being obese has the following impact on people with arthritis: Obesity has long-term side effects on joint health. Excess weight creates pressure on the joints, thereby damaging them. The pressure increases even more when you pick up something or move from one place or another. Furthermore, it causes misalignment of joints due to the pressure and compromises function.

Fat cells produce and release inflammatory enzymes that elevate inflammation. In addition to that, the pressure put on the joints aggravates symptoms.

Fats contribute to the worsening of osteoarthritis symptoms and are likely to cause the need for joint replacement procedures. They add to complications and also lead to poor outcomes of surgery. They also fasten disease progression in people with arthritis.