Als Risk Higher Among Smokers

If you still can’t decide whether to kick the smoking habit, here are two more good reasons to quit. A new study shows that smoking tobacco increases the risk of two serious neurological problems – seizures and amytrophic lateral sclerosis.

Smoking and ALS

Amytrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a progressive neurological disease that causes gradual degeneration of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. People with this disorder gradually lose the ability to control their muscles which leads to jerky movements – and eventually paralysis. ALS sufferers may also lose their ability to speak and communicate with others. As the muscles weaken, they gradually atrophy and the person becomes progressively weaker and more emaciated in appearance. Even their respiratory muscles can be affected with a loss in the ability to breathe. ALS is a terminal disease with half of the people affected dying within three years of the diagnosis.

The Risk of ALS and Smoking Tobacco

According to a study published in the journal Neurology, ALS is associated with smoking tobacco and the risk increases the longer a person smokes and the more they smoke. Current smokers have a 2.6 times greater risk of ALS than non-smokers – disturbing statistics considering this is a disease with a dismal prognosis.

An Increased Risk of Seizures

ALS isn’t the only neurological problem that’s more common in people who are smoking addicted. The risk of having a seizure is two times higher in people who smoke tobacco. Fortunately, the risk of seizures declines to that of the normal population when smoking is stopped.

Why Does Smoking Raise the Risk of These Two Diseases?

Researchers believe it may have something to do with the effect of smoking on a neurotransmitter called glutamate. Nicotine elevates glutamate levels which causes nerve cells to become overexcited – increasing the risk of their destruction. Experts believe glutamate plays a role in the development of ALS. High levels of glutamate have been found in the cerebrospinal fluid of people diagnosed with this disease. In fact, the drug most successful for treating ALS patients alters the activity of glutamate. Smoking may also damage nerve cells by decreasing the oxygen supply to them.

The Bottom Line?

This study gives two more good reasons to stop smoking tobacco. If you value your health, give it some thought before you light up your next cigarette.