We do know that smoking increases the chance of developing cancer and diseases of the heart, lungs, and other organs. However, we may not be aware of the fact that smoking is one of the factors that contribute to type 2 diabetes. Compared to non-smokers, cigarette smokers have a 30%–40% increased risk of type 2 diabetes. This indicates that the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases as you smoke more cigarettes. Additionally, studies show that the active chemical in cigarettes, nicotine, can increase blood sugar.
Smokers are more prone to experience difficulties in insulin dosing and managing diabetes. If not managed properly, it can cause health issues like heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the feet and legs. Smokers may also experience immune system problems. Diabetes makes people more prone to infections, which can quickly develop into dangerous conditions. Additionally, circulatory problems might result from smoking and diabetes.
Factors contributing to an increased risk of diabetes among smokers
The harmful compounds in cigarettes can damage cells in the body and also interfere with their normal function. This can cause inflammation throughout the body, which may decrease the effectiveness of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use the sugar in your blood.
Smoking can also cause oxidative stress, a condition that occurs when there are too many unstable molecules called free radicals, which can cause cell damage. Individuals who smoke often increase the risk of gaining additional weight in the belly. This central fat can increase your risk of insulin resistance and T2D even if you are not overweight.
Cholesterol, a type of fat in the blood, may be good or bad. At times, bad cholesterol levels may rise, with good cholesterol decreasing simultaneously. The lipid profile can worsen further due to smoking, which increases triglycerides. Type 2 diabetes is associated with high triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
Thus, oxidative stress, inflammation in the body, increase in central fat, and imbalance in good and bad cholesterol can contribute to increase the diabetes risk among smokers.
Management of diabetes
Following are measures that can help manage diabetes better:
Quitting smoking: Patients with diabetes should stop smoking. This helps in managing diabetes; and those without the disease should also give up smoking, because it increases the chance of developing diabetes.
Counseling: Counseling helps smokers to analyse their need to smoke and try to overcome the addiction with professional help and support. You may get counseled by your doctor and use nicotine replacement therapy to help you quit smoking.
Eating a balanced diet: A diet that is low in fat, salt, sugar, and other processed or simple carbohydrates and high in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is recommended. For people with diabetes, fiber is especially important, as it lowers the blood sugar.
Losing weight: Exercise may reduce the chance of developing lung cancer in people who smoke. Additionally, it promotes the metabolism of glucose and can lessen the chance of obesity, which is another risk factor for diabetes.
Following the treatment plan: People with diabetes face difficulty controlling their blood glucose levels and are more prone to complications. Smoking increases these complications, which can be decreased by taking the right drugs at the prescribed time.
Regularly checking your blood sugar levels: Keep track of your blood sugar levels and try to maintain them in the normal range.
Dr. Sangeetha Santosh, endocrinologist, Tanishtha s diabetic, endocrine and kidney centre, Nagole, Hyderabad
