Rheumatoid Arthritis and Smoking - Evidence That Smoking Increases Your Risk

Smoking or nonsmoking?

How many times have you been asked that question when you entered your favorite restaurant?
If you answered nonsmoking, you are directed to a smoke-free area where you can eat your food without the rancid smell of smoke to truly enjoy the flavor of your food. After all, you pay hard-earned money to go and enjoy a meal. You don't want someone else's smoking to interfere with your evening. Hopefully you will continue to choose the nonsmoking section because studies show that smoking increases your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, as well as many other different medical difficulties.

It used to be smoking was allowed in every public place, but that's simply not the case anymore. There are some states that ban smoking in public gathering places. Despite the money that is made from smoking, cities and states are banning together to read the facts about smoking and don't wish to remain vulnerable for potential lawsuits. The health industry is becoming quite successful at relaying the health hazards associated with smoking. You want the facts, right? Well, let's discover what smoking does to your body.

Smoking gives you...

- An empty wallet

- Bad breath

- Breathing difficulties

- Frequent colds and coughs

- Lung cancer

- Medical difficulties

- Prison-like addictions

- Risk of infections

- Smelly clothes

- Yellow fingertips and teeth

How can smoking make my rheumatoid arthritis worse?

Statistics show that cigarette smoking causes 87% of lung cancer deaths. Smokers are about twice as likely as a nonsmoker to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. If you already have rheumatoid arthritis, smoking can make the disease and pain worse. Smokers with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop complications of rheumatoid arthritis that affect parts of the body other than joints than nonsmokers.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis causes chronic inflammation and degeneration of the joints, especially the fingers, hands, shoulders, knees, feet, and ankles. It is easily recognizable by swollen joints, by x-rays revealing erosion around the affected joints, and by the presence of antibodies in the blood known as the rheumatoid factor.

What does rheumatoid arthritis cause?

Rheumatoid arthritis causes many medical deficiencies such as:

- Anemia

- Crippling pain

- Fatigue

- Fever

- Stiffness

- Swelling

- Uncontrollable weight loss

How can smoking cause rheumatoid arthritis?

Researchers aren't positive of the reason why smoking increases rheumatoid arthritis, but they are sure that smokers have worse rheumatoid arthritis than nonsmokers. The more years and more frequently you've smoked can dramatically increase your chance of worsening the symptoms of your rheumatoid arthritis.

How many people are afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis?

About 2.9 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

Which gender is more susceptible to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis?

Women are two to three times more susceptible than men to be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

At what age do people acquire rheumatoid arthritis?

The typical age that people get rheumatoid arthritis is between the ages of 25-50.