Do you vape?
If you do and you’re experiencing back pain, you must be wondering what’s causing it.
Is it just poor posture?
Is caused by a medical condition like sciatica or spinal stenosis?
Or, can vaping cause back pain? Keep reading to find out!
Can Vaping Cause Back Pain?
The short answer: Yes, it can.
Back pain is a common complaint among millions of people worldwide.
There are a number of causes of back pain including health conditions and lifestyle.
But, did you know that it can be caused by smoking, too? Yes, that includes vaping.
Vaping or the use of e-cigarettes has greatly increased in recent years, with growing popularity among adolescents and young adults.
E-cigarettes have many harmful effects on multiple organ systems, including your spine.
Most e-cigarettes do have nicotine; even those that don’t have chemicals in them.
These chemicals can irritate and damage the lungs, and those that contain nicotine can affect your spine.
“Nicotine causes blood vessels to get narrower,”
Charla Fischer, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Health tells Health.
“The lumbar discs already have a small amount of blood supply. If a patient smokes, then the small blood supply is reduced even more, preventing the healing of disc degeneration.
So, the thought is that smoking prevents the body from healing disc degeneration and this leads to sooner and more painful degeneration.”
Further, Adam Weitzman, MD, co-founder of the Los Angeles-area Goodlife Physical Medicine, in partnership with US Orthopedic Alliance, explains:
“When the cushioning discs of our low backs break down, it can actually lead to several different kinds of low back pain.
And now we know there is a direct connection between nicotine and worsened disc degeneration.”
If you vape and struggle with back pain, consult your doctor.
Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All information contained on this website is for general information purposes only.
Source: https://www.bonati.com/blog/vaping-may-cause-lower-back-pain/
