Stop smoking as part of a healthier lifestyle
Stopping smoking is a key element of adopting a healthier lifestyle. Smoking carries a number of serious health risks to all people and deciding to give up smoking altogether, including cigarettes, cigars, shisha or pipes, is a positive step towards health improvement.
Smoking and diabetes
Smoking can cause an even greater risk to diabetes patients. There are a number of health complications associated with diabetes that are also linked with smoking. Smoking with diabetes can increase your risk of the following:
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Kidney damage (nephropathy)
- Vision problems and blindness (retinopathy)
- Heart attack or stroke (cardiovascular disease)
People with diabetes who smoke are more likely to find controlling key elements of their health difficult, such as:
- High blood pressure (smoking releases adrenaline)
- High blood glucose levels (it is suggested that nicotine contributes to insulin resistance)
If you are finding it difficult to stop smoking or don’t know how to stop, please discuss this with a physician or a member of your diabetes care team. They will support you and offer the most up to date advice on how to proceed.
