Smoking can lead to a wide range of complications, many of which are also complications of diabetes. It is also the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, where more than 16 million people have a smoking-related condition.
Smoking affects not only those who do it, but also people who share their space. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that secondhand smoke is responsible for 34,000 deaths in the U.S. every year.
Risks of smoking with diabetes
Lifestyle choices are a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and its complications. Smoking may be one of these choices.
According to the CDC, people who smoke are 30–40 percent more likely than people who do not to develop diabetes.
Smoking can also make it harder to manage diabetes for those who already have it.
The risks of smoking include:
All of these risks can worsen the symptoms and complications of diabetes. People who have diabetes are more susceptible to infections, and infections can quickly become serious. In addition, both smoking and diabetes can lead to poor circulation.
They also increase the risk of foot ulceration, oral health problems, respiratory infections, and other infections that can have severe and possibly life-threatening consequences.
Research from 2008 suggests that smoking heavily may raise the risk of glucose intolerance and the accumulation of abdominal fat, both of which are risk factors for diabetes.
A 2016 study concluded that there may not be a direct link between smoking and insulin resistance. The researchers suggested that other factors may play a role, and they called for further studies.
Nevertheless, both smoking and diabetes can worsen a person’s health. Quitting or avoiding smoking is better for everyone, whether they have diabetes or not.
Additional risks
Both diabetes and smoking can damage the cells and organs of the body, and smoking can worsen many of the health effects of diabetes.
For example, both smoking and diabetes can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
People with diabetes who also smoke are more likely to:
Many of the combined health effects of smoking and diabetes make it more difficult to make healthful lifestyle choices.
For example, cardiovascular issues, nerve damage, and reduced lung capacity can make it harder to exercise. This, in turn, may lead to a sedentary lifestyle.
These setbacks can make the symptoms of both smoking and diabetes even worse.
Medical News Today (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317411)
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