Category: Spine | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
Vaping is largely considered to be less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes, but that doesn’t mean it is a perfectly safe alternative. There’s a reason we say it’s “less harmful” than smoking as opposed to “healthier than” smoking because both options can be harmful for your health. And while we’ve talked about the potential impact smoking can have on your spine, we haven’t really explored the harm that vaping can do to your spine, and we wanted to change that. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the impact vaping can have on your spine.
Is Vaping Harmful For Your Spine?
Vaping may not be as detrimental to your spine health than a standard cigarette, but it can still do plenty of damage. People who vape may do so with more regularity than a traditional cigarette smoker, so even though vaping is “less harmful” than a cigarette, increased vape usage can amplify the negative effects it has on your health. Let’s look at some of the ways vaping can be harmful for your spine.
- Nicotine – Nicotine is the primary active ingredient in both a tobacco cigarette and vape, and it’s not great for your spine health. Nicotine constricts your blood vessels, in turn making it harder for oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to reach key spinal structures. This can expedite spinal disc degeneration and lead to decreased spinal mobility.
- Chemical Mess – While there are fewer chemicals in vape than in a traditional cigarette, that doesn’t mean a vape is free from potentially-harmful chemicals. Your vape may contain chemicals like formaldehyde and lead, which can damage your spinal discs and tissues that support your spinal column.
- Increased Oxidative Stress – Vaping also increases oxidative stress levels in your body. Oxidative stress develops when there is a large imbalance in the production of free radicals and your body’s ability to neutralize them. An oxidative stress imbalance can cause cellular damage, impacting areas like your spine and joints. While the effects of nicotine may have you feeling relaxed, know that your body is fighting a battle behind the scenes to calm oxidative stress in the body.
- Increased Fracture And Tissue Tear Risk – Because your bones and soft tissues can’t always get access to the nutrients they need for correct growth and development due to circulatory problems caused by vaping, a person who vapes may find themselves at an elevated risk for spinal fractures or a ligament tear. They may also notice a delayed recovery from a spinal issue because of the inhibited blood flow to the area.
Don’t be sold on the idea that vaping is a healthier alternative to cigarettes. Driving without your seatbelt on is “safer” than driving with your eyes closed, but neither of these are safe driving habits, and the same logic applies to smoking and vaping. Heavy vaping at a young age can set you up for decades of spine pain down the road, so kick the habit and work to provide the right environment for it to thrive.
Minnesota Spine Doctor
If you need help quitting vaping, or you want to treat a spine issue that may be related to your vape use, let our team help. Dr. Sinicropi is confident that he can find the right solution for you. For more information, or for help with a specific spine concern, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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