WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Smoking Can Worsen Effects Of Diabetics

Smoking Can Worsen Effects Of Diabetics

By Lori Lyle

(LOUISVILLE, December 16th, 2004) -- When you think of health problems associated with smoking, you probably think of things like lung cancer and heart disease. But what about diabetes? WAVE 3 Medical Reporter Lori Lyle explains why smoking is double trouble for diabetics.

Studies have shown that smoking can increase your insulin resistance, which can contribute to diabetes. While researchers aren't quite ready to say that smoking causes diabetes, they do know it causes big problems for those who have diabetes.

David Gantt is a diabetic, which means for the last 20 years he's had to do inject himself with insulin at least twice a day. He's also a smoker who is trying hard to quit. "I'm still working on quitting. I smoke probably between half to three-quarters of a pack of cigarettes a day."

Gantt's not alone: there are some four million diabetics in this country who light up.

Dr. William Abraham says we may not think about it, but smoking and diabetes can be a dangerous mix. "Smoking magnifies the effects of diabetes within the body -- both on large blood vessels as well as small blood vessels."

Those blood vessels are already compromised by diabetes, and smoking only makes it worse. In fact, diabetics who smoke are three times more likely to die from heart disease and the risk of developing hardened arteries is double, compared to diabetics who don't smoke.

But Dr. Abraham says the situation isn't hopeless. While you can't always cure diabetes, you can cut out the cigarettes. "The good news is within two years of smoking cessation, the risk falls back to that similar to non-smokers."

That's advice Gantt is taking to heart -- and it just might be the motivation he needs to kick the habit for good.

And there's another good reason for diabetics to kick the habit -- studies show cigarette smoke also speeds the progression of complications caused by diabetes, like nerve damage and kidney disease.

Online Reporter: Lori Lyle

Online Producer: Michael Dever