SMOKING & DIABETES

Smoking can be one of the hardest addictions to overcome. Smoking is not only an expensive habit but also is the leading cause of chronic lung disease, cancer, stroke, heart disease and preventable death. Kicking the habit is also important if you are diabetic or want to prevent diabetes. Recent studies shows that smokers are three times more at risk of diabetes than non-smokers. 

Diabetes is an abnormal condition of pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. The pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin which helps the body use sugar from food for energy. In a person with diabetes, the pancreas either does not produce insulin, produces insufficient amount of insulin or the insulin does not work in the right manner leading to abnormally higher concentration of sugar in blood. 

Diabetes is a chronic disease and if not managed properly can lead to long-term complications such as heart disease, kidney disease (nephropathy), nerve disease (neuropathy), eye disease (retinopathy) and foot disease. Smoking combined with diabetes increases the risk and severity of diabetes complications. 

Smoking can in fact accelerate the onset of diabetes related complications due to its metabolic effects, in combination with increased inflammation and endothelial dysfunction (damage to the inner lining of blood vessels). It is clearly established that smoking is a fairly large and independent risk factor for heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease in people with diabetes. 

Several cohort studies indicates that the relative risk for all-cause mortality is about twice as high as for diabetics who are smokers. Heavy smoking in women have been found to double their already elevated risk of mortality because of diabetes. Women exposed to smoke during fetal life are at a higher risk for obesity and gestational diabetes.

Studies have shown a dose-responsive increase in the relative incidence of diabetes in smokers. Quitting smoking has, as a matter of fact, reduced the incidence of diabetes to about the same as in those who have never smoked. Quitting smoking for ≥ 10 years almost eliminated the increased risk of mortality associated with smoking. It is never too late to quit smoking. It does not matter how old you are or how long you have smoked, the benefits of quitting begin almost immediately and your body in response quickly gets on the road to recovery.

• Quitting smoking can be difficult, but it is not impossible. Here are five simple steps to get you started.
• Talk to your doctor and create a plan. Ask about nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
• Talk to your friends and family about kicking your habit. Ask them for support.
• Never stay bored. Get busy. Try to get out of your home and go for a walk or exercise if you feel alone and bored.
• Avoid people, places, materials and situations that can trigger your smoking urge.
• Stay positive. Whenever you feel like having your next puff, think it is for your own good that you quit. It can be hard but the reward is more than worth it. Your doctor will be the best person to address your concerns and make further recommendations.

For more info: www.diabetacare.com