Diabetes and smoking

Smoking is now proven to be an independent risk factor for diabetes, and amongst diabetics it increases the risk of complications. Smokers are 30% more prone to develop type 2 diabetes than non-smokers. People with diabetes already have a list of complications such as heart disease, stroke, circulation problems, kidney disease, retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy, and smoking adds to the risk of developing all of these things. Together with genetics and obesity, smoking is also proven as a risk factor for insulin resistance that often leads to diabetes.

Smoking and diabetes both increase the risk of heart disease and when combined, they significantly elevate the chances of suffering a heart related condition such as a heart attack or stroke. High levels of blood glucose and smoking can cause damage to walls of the arteries in such a manner that makes it easier to build-up fatty deposits. As a result, the blood vessels become narrow and make blood circulation difficult. When this happens to the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood and therefore oxygen) a heart attack can occur. Similarly, when brain does not get enough blood, stroke can occur. Hence, if you smoke when you have diabetes, you are putting yourself at a much greater risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.

According to a very recent study, people with diabetes who smoke, are twice-prone to immature death than non-smokers. Results showed that diabetes doubles the risk for all-cause mortality and non-lung cancer mortality among heavy smokers. Women with diabetes are more prone to lung cancer and have an 80% increased risk of dying from lung cancer compared to those without diabetes. The more cigarettes you smoke, the higher your risk for type 2 diabetes and complications.

If you are a smoker with diabetes, quitting smoking will benefit your health right away. No matter what type of diabetes you have, smoking makes your diabetes harder to control. People with diabetes who quit smoking have better control of their blood sugar levels.

Ref:

1. http://www.diabetes.co.iik/diabetes-and-smokinR.html

2. http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2016/nov/people-with-diabetes-who-           smoke-increase-risk-of-early-death-study-reports-95373621.html

3. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/diabetes.html

The article has been contributed by:

Dr. N. Selvaraj, M.D. (Gen. Med.), D. Diab., Consultant Physician and Diabetologist, Senthil Multi Speciality Hospital, Erode. E-mail: drnselvaraj@yahoo.com

Source: Times of India