WikiMSK:Featured Article/1 January 2023
From WikiMSK
Featured Wiki Article for 1 January 2023
Smoking and Chronic Pain
The prevalence of smoking in those with chronic pain is up to double that of the general population. In the short term smoking is an analgesic, however in the long-term it is deleterious for pain as it exacerbates nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychosocial pain. Smokers have higher pain intensities, number of painful areas, levels of disability, and opioid use to nonsmokers. There is a positive correlation even when controlling for confounding demographic, socioeconomic, and mood disorder factors. Many smokers identify coping with pain and anxiety as reasons for smoking. There is therefore a bidirectional relationship with smoking and pain. Pain increases the desire to smoke, and smoking increases pain. - Read More
