Posted on October 11, 2007
Smoking is a great killer! People are aware of it, yet they indulge in it. It not only causes heart diseases, but also diabetes. Tobacco has many bad health effects, particularly for diabetics. Nicotine, the drug in tobacco, is addictive. Some get psychologically dependent upon smoking. Getting rid of the habit is difficult.
People with diabetes (body does not produce enough insulin to turn sugar into energy) who smoke face even greater risks. Diabetes itself is a serious problem and leads to heart disease and stroke, and if combined with smoking it can cause a higher incidence of these strokes. Life expectancy is reduced and the quality of life is also affected.
Those suffering from diabetes work very hard to keep good health, and if they smoke then all their effort goes waste.
Effects of smoking among diabetic patients
- Heart attack or stroke: Smoking affects the oxygen supply to the body and this can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Diabetics who smoke are three times at risk at suffering a heart attack as compared to diabetics who do not smoke.
- Higher glucose levels: Blood glucose shoots up
- Increases Cholestrol: Some types of cholestrol in blood are increased which can lead to heart attack or stroke.
- Higher blood pressure: Smoking raises blood pressure.
- Kidney and nerve disease: One can be prone to these problems. The incidence would be higher.
- Infections: blood vessels get damaged due to smoking, as result of which one is prone to infections.
- Erectile dysfunction: Smoking can cause problems associated with getting and maintaining an erection.
- Smokers are insulin resistant, exhibit several aspects of the insulin syndrome. They are at a risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes.
- Micro-macrovascular complications for type1 and type2 diabetes mellitus
- Risk for diabetic nephropathy,retinopathy and neuropathy, probably due to its metabolic effects in combination with increased inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.
Problems faced after quitting smoking
- It will be difficult the first three months. One would like to get back to smoking and some do. Physically,they may have given it up but psychologically they are still dependent.
- To avoid getting back to it, one must chew a gum, sip some water, find something to do with your hands etc.
- When in the midst of smokers be prepared with an answer to refuse taking one.
- If you do begin, then again renew your decision to quit.
- If you put on weight due to giving up smoking then talk to dietician.
- Stay in touch with your health care provider after you quit. He may make some changes in your medication after you quit.
Give up smoking and control your diabetes. Health is Wealth and you have, to make that extra effort to ensure so.
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