Deadly Blend: The Hazardous Union of Tobacco and Combustion
Deadly Synergy: Smoking and Type 2 Diabetes Pose Significant Health Risks
Smoking, already associated with various severe diseases, poses an even greater threat when combined with type 2 diabetes. We spoke with Dr. Sofia Semenova, a distinguished endocrinologist and honored doctor in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), to shed light on this dangerous duo's impact on health.
What makes smoking particularly detrimental for individuals with type 2 diabetes?
Dr. Semenova explains that the combined effects of smoking on the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and nervous system, combined with the complications brought about by diabetes, significantly heightens the risk of catastrophic health events. Heart disease, strokes, and peripheral vascular diseases all become more prevalent and severe for diabetic smokers.
Smoking's influence on blood sugar levels
Nicotine, a key substance in tobacco, disrupts glucose metabolism and increases insulin resistance, making it harder for cells to be sensitive to insulin. This, in turn, leads to erratic fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can lead to numerous complications.
A list of health complications faced by diabetic smokers:
- Cardiovascular diseases: Higher risk, accelerated onset, and severity
- Nerve damage (neuropathy) and vascular damage: Worsened effects, particularly in the feet and legs, increased risk of ulcers, infections, and amputations
- Kidney disease (nephropathy): Faster progression and earlier onset
- Eye problems (retinopathy): More severe issues
- Foot problems and amputations: Enhanced risk, more severe cases
- Respiratory and lung infections: Frequent and severe infections
- Dental and gum disease: Poor oral health outcomes
- Acute complications (hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis): Higher risk and more difficulty in managing
The benefits of quitting smoking for type 2 diabetes patients
Quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular diseases, improves lung function, and helps achieve better blood sugar control. Research shows that even a year after quitting, the risk of heart attack and stroke begins to decrease. For diabetics who want to quit but fear stress, specialized support programs such as nicotine replacement therapy and psychological counseling are available.
In conclusion, the combination of smoking and type 2 diabetes presents a significant threat to public health, leading to a host of devastating consequences. For the sake of longevity and quality of life, it is strongly recommended that individuals with diabetes quit smoking as soon as possible.
- Dr. Semenova highlights that the concurrent impact of smoking on the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and nervous system, alongside the complications caused by type 2 diabetes, accentuates the risk of severe health incidents.
- Nicotine, a vital substance in tobacco, disturbs glucose metabolism and augments insulin resistance, making cells less responsive to insulin, leading to fluctuating blood sugar levels and multiple complications.
- Diabetic smokers face an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, nerve damage, kidney disease, eye problems, foot problems, respiratory and lung infections, dental and gum disease, and acute complications such as hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Quitting smoking lowers the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular diseases, enhances lung function, and aids in better blood sugar control. Even a year after quitting, the risk of heart attack and stroke lessens. Diabetics seeking assistance to stop smoking can utilize support programs like nicotine replacement therapy and psychological counseling.
