Diabetes

FACTS ABOUT SMOKING AND DIABETES

Are you aware of the specific dangers and effects smoking has on patients with diabetes?

Smoking and diabetes is a dangerous combination.

Smoking exacerbates the harmful effects of diabetes by increasing insulin resistance and deteriorating diabetes control.

Smoking one cigarette can reduce a body's ability to use insulin by 15 percent.

Of people with diabetes who need amputations, 95 percent are smokers.

Currently there are studies suggesting tobacco use is an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Having diabetes means that you are much more likely to have coronary artery (heart) disease, a heart attack, or a stroke.

Did you know that 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from heart disease and stroke?

People with diabetes have extra reason to be mindful of heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes carries an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and complications related to poor circulation. Certain health problems put you at higher risk for diabetes and heart disease. Keeping an eye on these problems -- keeping them "in check" -- can help prevent diabetes and heart disease. These problems include being overweight, unhealthy cholesterol, smoking, high blood glucose, high blood pressure, and physical inactivity. These are all problems that can be managed.

There are other things that may raise your risk that you can't control, such as age, race, gender, and family history.

Information cited from American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org/