Bulging Degenerative Disc Disc Disease

Bulging Degenerative Disc Disc Disease

Bulging Degenerative Disc Disc Disease

Smoking and obesity are blamed for many lifestyle diseases in America. Cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and atherosclerosis are just a few consequences of knocking down two packs a day or carrying an extra 100+ pounds. If each alone are bad, combining the two will almost guarantee problems down the line.

The American media and healthcare push to curb smoking and promote weight loss often leave out a critical selling point. Smoking and obesity increase risk of back pain and spinal disc degeneration, contributing to a $100 billion back problem. Diabetes and heart disease are "silent killers" but back pain is very abrupt and debilitating, suggesting that focusing on the problems of today may prevent the inevitability of tomorrow.

Smoking Causes Back Pain

According to the University of Michigan Health System, smoking significantly increases chances for back pain. The University reports that smokers are "up to 2.7 times likely to develop back pain than non-smokers." The school also reports the smoking causes "spinal disc decay" and "increases chances of back pain with age." Why does smoking cause back pain? The human spine consists of stacks of vertebra and spinal discs, a gel-like cushion that provides shock absorption. The vertebra have blood supply but the spinal discs do not, relying on daily movement to receive oxygen and nutrients.