Why Quitting Smoking Is The First Step To Beating Diabetes?

Smoking and diabetes are closely related. People who smoke are more likely to develop this disease than nonsmokers. Smoking can also increase the risks of developing diabetes complications such as heart diseases, kidney diseases, etc. Therefore, it is said that quitting smoking is the most important step to beating diabetes. It can not only help you prevent diabetes but also manage diabetes well. 

How Can Quitting Smoking Prevent Diabetes?

Cigarettes have chemicals that can interfere with the proper functioning of the cells and cause inflammation, which is a leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes. In addition, these chemicals can also react with oxygen and cause oxidative stress in the body. Cigarette smoking is also known to increase abdominal fat, which can increase the levels of cortisol in the body and increase your blood glucose levels. 

How Can Quitting Smoking Help You Manage Your Diabetes?

Smoking can be proven extremely detrimental to your diabetes treatment. It can reduce the effectiveness of insulin in your body, resulting in the administration of larger doses of insulin to control blood sugar levels. Furthermore, cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing diabetes complications such as heart diseases, strokes, respiratory diseases, kidney diseases, diabetic retinopathy, nerve damage, etc. Therefore, quitting smoking is considered one of the most important steps in diabetes management.  

Are There Any Risks of Quitting Smoking in Diabetes?  

Quitting smoking is crucial to managing diabetes. It helps to not only control your diabetes but also prevent many diabetes complications. However, quitting smoking is not easy. It is an addictive behaviour and can take arduous efforts. Also, quitting smoking can adversely affect your diabetes management if you do not take the proper course of action. It can trigger the urge to overeat and cause weight gain, which can further worsen your diabetes. It has also been found that quitting smoking may make it difficult to control blood sugar levels for the first three years. Therefore, it is important to consult your healthcare team before you decide to quit smoking and take the best course of action to regulate your appetite and blood sugar levels.   

Tips To Quit Smoking Efficiently:

• Do not quit smoking in one go. Take small steps and gradually leave this habit.    
• Stay away from objects related to smoking, such as lighters, matchsticks or ashtrays. It will help you control the urge to smoke.
• When you start craving cigarettes, eat something else to divert your cravings, such as nuts, fruits, etc. You can also take deep breaths and meditate to suppress your urge.
• Seek counselling and psychotherapy to quit smoking. It will also help you cope better with withdrawal symptoms that you may experience after quitting smoking.  
• Substitute your smoking habit with a new activity. For example, if you are habitual of smoking in the morning, go for a brisk walk at the same time or join a meditation group.
• You may also quit smoking with the help of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). But, if you have diabetes, do not forget to consult your doctor before opting for it. 
• If your friends or family members smoke, encourage them to quit as well. It will help you get company and make quitting less challenging. You can also take their help when you are having withdrawal symptoms. Talking with your friends helps your body and mind relax.    

Takeaway:

If you want to prevent diabetes or manage your diabetes well, quit smoking now. Quitting smoking is the most crucial step in managing diabetes. However, if you are already diabetic, do not quit smoking without consulting your doctor. They will help you follow a proper course of action that will not affect your diabetes management. 

References:

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317411
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/smoking-diabetes
3. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/smoking-and-diabetes.html
4. https://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/18/4/202
5. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/diabetes.html
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12704597/