According to Dr Manish Kothari, Consultant, Endoscopic Spine Surgeon, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, smoking, in general, damages tissue by making the circulation sluggish and reducing the flow of nutrients.
Image: Canva
He continued that the intervertebral discs of the spine, which act as a cushion of the spine and offers flexibility, are impacted by smoking as it causes the breakdown of the disc.
Image: Canva
"This happens because there is a lack of nutrient exchange where the bone meets the spinal disc," he said.
Image: Canva
"The disc by itself anyways has a poor regeneration ability, and smoking just adds insult to injury by further cutting off the nutrients,” Dr Kothari told indianexpress.com.
Image: Canva
In addition to the discs, the bones also become weak, like porous brittle chalk.
Image: Canva
"This is called osteoporosis or hollow and weakening of bones. Smokers quickly lose collagen and minerals in their bones, which makes them prone to early degeneration and fractures easily,” said Dr Kothari.
Image: Canva
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