Most people know about the effects of smoking on the lungs, heart, brain, kidneys, premature ageing, infertility, impotence, and pregnancy complications. However, few smokers are aware that smoking can lead to issues with other parts of your body, including your feet and legs.
Broadly termed “smoker’s legs” includes leg pain, stiffness and cramping that gets worse when standing or walking and can make one limp. Both legs are often affected at the same time, although the pain may be severe in one leg.
Mmmh! What is the link? Smoking can harden and narrow blood vessels, increase plaque and fatty deposit build up in the leg veins, resulting in nerve damage and tissue death which can eventually lead to blood flow blockage to the legs and feet. Poor circulation can affect your legs in many ways and cause pain, numbness, fatigue, or weakness in the legs or feet, blood clots, infected skin ulcers, and gangrene.
To help support blood circulation and reduce the symptoms, sufferers can adopt lifestyle changes and self-care tips: