Smoking and Diabetes: A Dangerous Combination
(Diabetes )
Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, but smoking and diabetes is a truly deadly combination. Even if you don’t smoke, your risk of getting heart disease or having a stroke increases two to four times just because you have diabetes. But how does smoking affect your health when you have diabetes? Diabetes often leads to blocked arteries, which can raise your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Smoking makes things even worse. The risk of developing serious heart problems when you smoke and have diabetes is about 10 times greater than if you didn’t if you didn’t smoke or have diabetes.
You can’t change the fact you have diabetes, but you can stop smoking. If you decide to quit, there are many effective programs that can help you. Contact the American Lung Association in your area, or ask your physician or diabetes educator for help. He or she may refer you to a good program in your area. Nicotine patches and nicotine gum can also help you manage your nicotine addiction while you quit.
B-man 