Diabetes
is a group of diseases in which blood sugar levels are higher than
normal. Most of the food a person eats is turned into glucose (a kind of
sugar) for the body’s cells to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ
near the stomach, makes a chemical called insulin that helps glucose get
into the body’s cells. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't
make enough insulin or can't use the insulin very well. Less glucose gets into the cells and instead builds up in the blood.
There are different types of diabetes. Type 2 is the most common kind
of diabetes in adults and accounts for about 90–95% of all diagnosed
cases. Fewer people have type 1 diabetes, which most often develops in
children, adolescents, or young adults.
Type 1 diabetes used to
be called juvenile-onset diabetes. It is usually caused by an
auto-immune reaction where the body’s defence system attacks the cells
that produce insulin. The reason this occurs is not fully understood.
People with type 1 diabetes produce very little or no insulin. The
disease may affect people of any age, but usually develops in children
or young adults. People with this form of diabetes need injections of
insulin every day in order to control the levels of glucose in their
blood. If people with type 1 diabetes do not have access to insulin,
they will die.
Type 2 diabetes used to be called non-insulin
dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes, and accounts for at least
90% of all cases of diabetes. It is characterised by insulin resistance
and relative insulin deficiency, either or both of which may be present
at the time diabetes is diagnosed. The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can
occur at any age. Type 2 diabetes may remain undetected for many years
and the diagnosis is often made when a complication appears or a routine
blood or urine glucose test is done. It is often, but not always,
associated with overweight or obesity, which itself can cause insulin
resistance and lead to high blood glucose levels. People with type 2
diabetes can often initially manage their condition through exercise and
diet. However, over time most people will require oral drugs and or
insulin.
How Is Smoking Related to Diabetes?
Smoking
increases your chance of having type 2 diabetes. No matter what type of
diabetes you have, smoking makes your diabetes harder to control.
For example, smoking as well as use of other tobacco products (such as
snuff) can interfere with how your insulin works (a situation called
"insulin resistance"). Snuff is finely ground tobacco that can be dry,
moist, or in tea bag-like pouches.
If you have diabetes and you
smoke, you are more likely to have serious health problems from
diabetes. Smokers with diabetes have higher risks for serious
complications, including:
• Heart and kidney disease
• Poor
blood flow in the legs and feet that can lead to foot infections,
ulcers, and possible amputation (removal of a body part by surgery, such
as toes or feet)
• Retinopathy (an eye disease that can cause blindness)
• Peripheral neuropathy (damaged nerves to the arms and legs that causes numbness, pain, weakness, and poor coordination)
If you are a smoker with diabetes and decide to quit smoking or using
any type of tobacco product, the health benefits begin right away.
People with diabetes who quit have better control of their blood sugar
levels. Studies have shown that insulin resistance can start to decrease
8 weeks after quitting. And recovery from surgery can happen faster.
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