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Tobacco Use And How It’s Related To Nerve Pain

Tobacco use has been linked to nerve pain, specifically sciatica nerve pain. Sciatica is a nerve pain rising from the sciatica nerve. It can be debilitating and extremely painful and numbing.

Sciatica nerve pain can be produced by pressure which is put on the nerve where it passes through the buttock.  This nerve pain can be brought on by sitting on a hard seat.  When the individual’s legs go to sleep, this is also a known form of sciatica. 

Smoking has been related to sciatica nerve pain

The most common sciatica is a herniated disc in the lumbar spine (the lower back) that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve or a nerve root.  A herniated disc can occur rather suddenly and may cause acute pain or it can develop gradually. 

Cigarette smoking predisposes people to back pain and has been specifically related to sciatica nerve pain and discomfort.  Many surgeons who specialize in back surgery will not perform necessary surgery until a smoker has quit smoking. 

Benzene is found in cigarette smoke.  It’s a solvent classified by the EPA as a human carcinogen and has been identified as a known cause of leukemia.  Benzene is used to manufacture other chemicals such as nylon, polystyrene, pesticides and gasoline. 

Benzene is in cigarette smoke.  Even short term high level use of benzene through inhalation or ingestion causes damage to the central nervous system and can lead to paralysis, coma, convulsions, dizziness, sleepiness, rapid heart rate, tightness in the chest, tremors and rapid breathing. 

Long term exposure to benzene can cause decreased red blood cells through damage to bone marrow, anemia, leukemia, excessive bleeding, genetic damage and negative effects on the immune system. 

Benzene is a toxic chemical which is put into the air even when a smoker isn’t smoking.  It clings to a smoker’s clothes, skin and hair for months after the last cigarette and is hazardous to the health of nonsmokers as well as smokers. 

Smoking may put you at a higher risk for lower back pain.  Smoking cigarettes blocks your body’s ability to deliver nutrients to the discs of the lower back.  Also, for smokers who cough repeatedly and heavily may straining their lower back.
 
Smokers also tend to be less physically fit than nonsmokers, which also increases the risk for lower back pain.  Smoking has also been known to cause the body to heal at a much slower rate than a nonsmoker’s body, which prolongs pain, especially in people who have had back injuries, back surgery or broken bones.

Tags: cigarette smoking, nicotine addiction, nicotine withdrawal, quit smoking, quitting, smoking cessation, stop smoking, tobacco use

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