Smoking worsens risk factors for diabetics

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), tobacco has many bad health effects, particularly for people with diabetes. They further explain that no matter how long you’ve smoked, your health will improve after you quit.

Smoking can hurt your health. Tobacco narrows the blood vessels and increases your risk of heart disease. It can also cause cancer.

Studies have shown that nicotine, the drug in tobacco, is one of the most addictive substances known. The ADA lists some ways smoking hurts your health:

1. Smoking raises your blood sugar level, making it harder to control your diabetes.

2. Smoking increases your cholesterol levels and the levels of some other fats in your blood, raising your risk of a heart attack.

3. Smoking damages and constricts the blood vessels. This damage can worsen foot ulcers and lead to blood vessel disease and leg and foot infections.

4. Smokers with diabetes are more likely to get nerve damage and kidney disease.

5. People with diabetes who smoke are three times as likely to die of cardiovascular disease as are other people with diabetes.

To learn more about other risks listed by the ADA, visit http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/smoking.jsp.

As a diabetes educator, I encourage you to be a quitter. Quit using tobacco products and improve your health today.

To get started, call California Smokers’ and Chewers’ help lines at 1-800-NO-BUTTS (English), 1-800-45-NO-FUME (Spanish) or 1-800-838-8917 (Mandarin/Cantonese).

The California Smokers’ Helpline provides free professional and confidential telephone counseling for anyone living in California, whether you are currently addicted to tobacco, have already quit or want information for a friend or relative.

When you call, a friendly staffer will offer a choice of services, including self-help materials, if you would like to quit on your own.

Make great choices every day. You are in control.

Kaishawn McDuffie, RN, BSN, CDE, is a registered nurse and a certified diabetes educator.