Diabetes and Smoking: A Deadly Combination

Smoking is bad news. It is the leading cause of avoidable death in the United States, accounting for nearly half a million deaths each year. Smoking increases the chance of developing Type 2 Diabetes, and if you already have the disease, smoking increases your risk of incurring a number of Diabetes complications.

The Effects of Smoking

Everyone knows smoking causes lung cancer, and more people die of lung cancer each year in the U.S. than any other type of cancer. But did you know that smoking can affect the health of your heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, muscles and joints and more? Those with Diabetes are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack or stroke, but add in smoking and that risk multiplies.

That's because smoking

• Decreases the amount of oxygen reaching tissues
• Increases cholesterol levels and the levels of some other fats in your blood
• Damages and constricts blood vessels
• Increases blood pressure

Smoking has other effects on Diabetes, as well:

• Smoking increases your blood sugar levels and decreases your body's ability to use insulin, making it more difficult to control your Diabetes.
• When blood vessels are constricted, the amount of blood circulating in arteries and veins is limited. This can lead to peripheral vascular disease, which can worsen foot ulcers and contribute to leg and foot infections.
• In addition, smokers with Diabetes are at increased risk of developing nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy) and eye disease (diabetic retinopathy).

But wait, the bad news doesn't end yet. In addition to lung cancer, smoking may also contribute to mouth, throat and bladder cancer. Those who smoke are more susceptible to colds and respiratory infections. Smoking increases muscle and joint pain. And smoking can cause impotence in men and miscarriage or stillbirth in pregnant women.

Quit Smoking!

If you are a smoker, you know you should quit. The good news is, no matter how long you've smoked, your health will improve after you quit. Fortunately, there are many new medications and successful programs out there to help you quit smoking. If you smoke and you're ready to quit, ask your friends and family members who have quit for advice or ask your doctor to refer you to one of these programs for help.