It is well known that alcohol and tobacco are bad for the liver and lungs. What regarding back health? Should I stop smoking or drinking alcohol following spinal surgery?
A herniated disc is a degenerative disc that absorbs shocks between the vertebrae. The disc hardens or goes out of place and compresses the nerve, causing pain. Tobacco may accelerate disc degenerative changes. The nicotine component constricts peripheral blood vessels, making it difficult to move nutrients and metabolites supplied to the disc. Smoking following spinal surgery not only slows recovery but also increases the risk of recurrence.
Spinal disc surgery is performed by releasing the nerves that have been pressed by the protruding disc. Nerves are restored only when the blood supply is smooth, but smoking interferes with the blood supply, so recovery is difficult. Doctors recommend that you stop smoking for at least 2 weeks following surgery.
If you have had a spinal fusion surgery that removes the damaged disc and inserts artificial bones to fix the spinal nodes, then it is essential to quit smoking for 3 months. Because smoking can interfere with bone fusion. Smoking constricts blood vessels and reduces the amount of oxygen in the bone tissue, reducing the bone’s ability to produce bone. Nicotine inhibits the function of bone-forming cells and lowers the blood level of estrogen to interfere with vitamin D and calcium absorption.
How regarding alcohol? Although alcohol does not have a direct effect on the disc, it is recommended to abstain from alcohol for regarding a month since the nerves need to recover following spinal surgery. If you drink alcohol, the nerve edema may not subside well and inflammation may develop. Drinking parties often go on for a long time, and sitting for a long time also puts a strain on the spine.
Joo Yun-seok, deputy director of the Spine Center at Gangseo Nanuri Hospital, said, “If you have been hospitalized for rehabilitation or recovery following surgery, it is better to quit drinking and smoking. It has a bad effect,” he said. that recovery may be delayed and cause recurrence.
For the health of the spine, it is good to make a habit of quitting smoking and drinking alcohol. To keep your spine healthy, avoid sitting for long periods of time and get up and move your body at least once an hour. It is also helpful to strengthen your core muscles by doing plank exercises that make a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles while lying face down, or a bridge posture that raises your hips following lying on the floor.
Reporter Kim Seong-eun sekim@kormedi.com
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