Smoking and Chronic Pain

Amongst all the warnings about the dangers of smoking, there’s a new concern that may be surprising. A recent study indicates that women who have smoked regularly at some point in their lives report more instances of chronic pain than women who have not.  The study observed more than 6,000 women over the age of 18 and documented all their different reports of chronic pain.  The daily smokers had a higher rate of chronic pain than any other condition or trait observed in the study.  Another study showed that older patients who currently smoke have a higher rate of chronic pain than nonsmokers or those who quit in the past.

The lesson for smokers is obvious: stop smoking.  Not only will smoking cessation improve your overall health, it could also prevent chronic pain from occurring in the future.  If you are smoker who is experiencing chronic pain, be sure to discuss your situation with your health care provider.  Your doctor can help you find a smoking cessation plan that can work in conjunction with your pain management regimen.

This new study brings new insight into the idea that chronic pain can be directly tied in to your overall health condition. The more you can improve the state of your health, the easier it should be to manage your chronic pain in the long term.  Anything you can do to maintain good health is a step in the right direction.

If you have questions about pain management and how to deal with chronic pain issues, please contact us here at Advanced Pain Management in Augusta, Georgia. We specialize in the treatment of chronic pain, and we are dedicated to finding solutions that can improve your life.     

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http://uknow.uky.edu/content/study-shows-link-between-smoking-and-chronic-pain-women

http://uknow.uky.edu/content/study-shows-link-between-smoking-and-chronic-pain-women 

This blog is written for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for actual medical treatment. Please contact the APM Augusta office to schedule an appointment if you are in need of medical care.