arthritis and smoking

Learn About Arthritis And Smoking

There is so much information and treatment remedies available for arthritis, you just never know if you have the right thing. You will be able to tell much better if what you know, or your treatment will apply to you after you understand arthritis and smoking.

We all know that cigarette smoking increases our risk of heart disease and lung cancer. But did you know that it also increases your risk of rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the joints and the tissue around the joints to become inflamed. More than 2 million people within the United States suffer from this debilitating disease.

A study conducted by the American College of Rheumatology found a distinct correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and rheumatoid arthritis onset. It has been shown that the risk of developing arthritis doubles in women who are smokers.

Why the risk increases has not yet been determined. One theory is that smoking affects the immune system and lowers estrogen levels. Smoking also increases the rheumatoid factor in the body. There will need to be many more studies.

Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear to the joints over time where as rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where inflammation exists. Why this occurs is not fully understood but it's believed to the result of the immune system short circuiting.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis but there are strategies to reduce pain and protect the joint. Symptoms that you may be suffering from this disease include:

1. Joints that are swell - especially feet and hands.

2. Aching and stiffness of the muscles and joints after sleeping for short periods

3. Loss of motion

4. Loss of strength

5. Fatigue

6. Low grade fever

7. Joint deformity

Osteoarthritis affects only the bones where as rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in other areas such as the back of the scallop, feet, hands, knees, and lungs....

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