You are probably aware that smoking puts you at a much higher risk of contracting cardiovascular or lung disease but did you know that studies have now highlighted the link between smoking and rheumatoid arthritis? This type of rheumatoid arthritis is not simply a disease of the joints; it’s a chronic, debilitating disease that can impact your whole life and each and every time that you smoke, you are one step closer to this potential threat.
Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age and the symptoms can be sudden. It’s a nasty progressive and painful disease that is more common than people think. If it is left unchecked, it not only damages but destroys the affected joint. It’s known as an auto-immune disease where your immune system starts attacking healthy tissue and there is a general feeling of tiredness and of being unwell.
Studies have found that smoking is a big factor when it comes to developing this disease and should be taken seriously. Heavy smokers, essentially, those who had smoked for 20 years or more, were much more likely to have an antibody that is closely associated with rheumatoid arthritis and in fact, a severe form of the disease.
Heavy smoking is considered a trigger for the disease especially in those who may already have a genetic link or predisposition to the condition. Unfortunately, the risk also remains quite high even in those who have quit smoking although, it’s important to lessen the risk as much as possible. Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers can be literally crippled with the pain but smoking seems to be the only factor that may be able to be modified, smoke less or preferably stop immediately. For those that don’t smoke, the sensible thing is to never start as it can seriously damage your health and your life.
The research isn’t new and dates back to 2000 but many people are not aware of the accelerated risks of suddenly suffering from this disease. The study looked at elderly people and the number of cigarettes that were smoked in a day and how long each individual had been smoking for. Results have been startling in that the risk was nearly doubled in comparison to smokers against non-smokers. Not surprisingly, those who had previously smoked but who had managed to quit the habit had less chance of developing the condition but the potential was still higher than for a non-smoker.
Female smokers in general seem more predisposed to the condition than men and research has not yet identified why this is although a connection between smoking and estrogens levels or the immune system may be possible. If smoking lowers the level of estrogens but raises the rheumatoid factor, this may be a possible explanation.
If you have concerns – perhaps rheumatoid arthritis is a condition prevalent in your family, then it is important that you give up smoking to allow yourself the chance to eradicate the damage from your body and to start the healing process. Smoking is an addiction of course, so it’s not going to be easy to just suddenly stop. It may be worth considering an electronic cigarette if willpower is an issue or if you simply enjoy smoking as the electronic cigarette enables you to still be able to enjoy the sensation but more safely. Otherwise, reducing the number of cigarettes that you smoke each day over a period of time can be beneficial.
To be able to give up smoking, you must want to do it. One of the deciding factors to giving up successfully is that you choose to do so and not just because those around you are concerned. Sadly, although support is one thing that can aid your efforts to overcome your addiction, if their concerns are not your own, your attempts are likely to fail. If you consider all of the reasons however as to why you should give up smoking, this may help to put you in the right frame of mind and to enable you to gain some control over your addiction. The worst case scenario, withdrawal symptoms for a few weeks and then your body will be cleared of the harmful toxins and you can start changing your lifestyle to that of a healthier one and in the process, this will greatly reduce the potential for contracting rheumatoid arthritis.
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