Cigarette smoking proves to be one of the deadliest habits mankind has known. The nicotine substance contained in every stick collects in the lungs as you continue smoking. But, that’s just the beginning.
Soon your heart suffers and the cells in your body are also destroyed, which can lead to cancer of various types.
Nicotine comes from the plant nicotiana tabacum. It is used as a stimulant drug and as an ingredient for making insecticide. Scientists believe that the stimulating properties is a strong factor that causes nicotine dependence.
WARNING: Cigarette Smoking is Bad for Diabetics
If you have Diabetes, don’t smoke. Or don’t smoke at all even if you are non-Diabetic.
We all know that cigarette has always been a health hazard. It will always be in the list of the most dangerous and addictive substances on Earth. Yet, many people seem to ignore the negative repercussions of tobacco use.
Currently, approximately 42.1 million US citizens smoke, 20.5% of which are men and 15.8% are women. The American Chemical Society conducted a research on nicotine and Diabetes. It says that nicotine is also responsible for elevated blood sugar level among Diabetics.
It is a domino effect. High blood sugar increases the risk for developing cardiovascular and kidney problems. The nerves are also affected.
While smoking is not a direct cause of Type 2 Diabetes, it is a risk factor.
Scientists have found smoking to cause blood sugar levels to go up. This would give people with type 2 Diabetes a hard time controlling their disease.
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Smoking-Obesity-Diabetes
Obesity serves as the common denominator. Smoking promotes central obesity. Obesity is a risk factor for developing insulin resistance. Further:
- Smoking elevates the cortisol concentration.
- Cigarette smoking increases oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. These contribute to the development of insulin resistance and abnormal glucose metabolism.
- Animals and human studies show that pancreatic islet and beta cells have nicotine receptors. The effects would be a reduction in the release of insulin via islet-cell receptors.
- A study on animals also shows that pre- or neonatal exposure to nicotine can cause beta-cell dysfunction.
Here’s a few more interesting facts derived from 25 studies:
- Smokers are 44% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes
- Heavy smokers are 61% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
- Cigarette or tobacco smoking causes blood sugar to rise resulting in insulin resistance.
Smoking increases the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with Type 2. Furthermore, the risk of developing other serious diseases is high:
- Gingivitis
- Periodontal disease
- Lung disease
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Erectile dysfunction
Smoking can also destroy the blood vessel which reduces its capacity to allow proper healing.
Although cigarette smoking is a dangerous habit, it is also preventable. Quit smoking as soon as possible. While some people can stop cold turkey, others need time. Help yourself develop new healthy habits with smoking out of the picture.
- Put your lighter and ashtrays out.
- Cut back on cigarettes one or two sticks at a time.
- Replace cigarettes with nicotine patches or gums.
- When the cravings set in, think of other things to do that will eat your time. Watching movies or playing video games, for example. Just don’t get addicted to video games.
- If you smoke to relax, try to think of something else that also relaxes you and take that other option.
- Procrastination is never a good habit but it can help you big time with smoking. When you feel the craving, delay for one minute, then delay again. Culture your mind that you will smoke after a few minutes until the craving disappears. It usually lasts only a couple of minutes.
- Have you noticed that when you work in a smoke-free building, you are able to wait until break time before you can go down and light a stick? Take advantage of this. If you can stand not smoking while at work, you can do it even at home. Try packing a lunch and eating it in the pantry. Don’t give yourself the chance. Soon, your system will get accustomed with the habit until you can stand not smoking wherever you go.
There are so many things that you can do to put an end to the habit. But, without the willingness to do so, everything is pointless. I must admit I am not a smoker but I know a lot of people who used to smoke and quit cold turkey or through devices like electronic cigarettes. I am truly glad that they were able to quit.
Now, they don’t want to go back.
Let me ask you a few questions:
- Do you want to be fit and healthy?
- Are you afraid for your life?
- Do you want to enjoy the small and great things in life with full force?
- Do you want to live longer?
- Do you want to wake up each day having positive thoughts and looking forward to an active day?
If you do, QUIT SMOKING. It’s not all but it’s a great first step.
As early as now, you should realize that smoking can do nothing else but harm your body. Learn to distinguish foe from a friend. Smoking may give you pleasure but it does not last that long. It asks so much in return too. Your life.
Get help. If you have tried lots of smoking cessation techniques and nothing worked, you can always seek help. The medical community now offers various ways to address this particular issue.
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