The Impact of Smoking on Diabetes
Understanding the Negative Effects of Smoking on Diabetes Risk and Management
By Jennifer Peterson, DNP, APRN, LMT, FNP-BC
We all know that smoking is bad for you, but did you know that smokers are 30-40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes? That’s right. Chances of developing type 2 diabetes are much higher for smokers compared to nonsmokers. The number of cigarettes smoked per day directly correlates to the risk of developing diabetes. The more cigarettes you smoke, the higher your chances. Not only does smoking increase your chances of developing the disease, it can wreak havoc for those who already have type 2 diabetes. It causes trouble with insulin dosing and overall management of the disease. Regardless of what type of diabetes you have, smoking makes diabetes more difficult to control.
How smoking causes diabetes
Smoking increases inflammation in the body which occurs when the chemicals in cigarettes injure cells. This causes swelling and malfunction of the cells. Smoking also causes oxidative stress, an ailment that occurs when chemicals from cigarette smoke combine with oxygen in the body. Oxidative stress also hinders proper cell function and injures the cells. Both inflammation and oxidative stress increase the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Additionally, evidence shows smoking is related to a higher risk of abdominal obesity, a known risk factor for diabetes. Abdominal obesity increases the production of cortisol, a hormone that increases blood sugar. Smokers have higher concentrations of cortisol than nonsmokers, hence the greater risk of diabetes.
How smoking affects diabetes
Exposure to high levels of nicotine renders insulin less effective. Larger doses of insulin are required to control blood sugars for people who smoke. Moreover, people with diabetes who smoke are more likely to have serious health problems that stem from diabetes such as:
Heart and kidney disease
Poor circulation in the legs and feet leading to foot infections, ulcers, and possible amputation
Retinopathy, an eye disease that can cause blindness
Peripheral neuropathy, damage to the nerves causing numbness, pain, tingling, etc.
People with diabetes who quit smoking can gain better control of their blood sugar levels. Your body begins to heal shortly after your last cigarette, so regardless of how many years or how many cigarettes per day you smoke, quitting is of benefit.
About the author
Dr. Jennifer Peterson, Nurse Practitioner, is the Director of Quality Assurance and Integration for GlyCare. She has years of experience managing diabetes for patients in the hospital and now trains other nurse practitioners to do the same. Dr. Peterson also ensures GlyCare provides high-quality services for all patients through a quality review program she created.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Smoking and Diabetes. Retrieved from cdc.gov.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Smoking and Diabetes. Retrieved from cdc.gov.
Learn more about partnering with GlyCare for a turn-key diabetes management service. For more information on how to incorporate either in-person or virtual diabetes management, contact us today.