Cigarette smoking and its impact
Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor for numerous diseases, including many types of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Diabetes, in general, refers to a range of disorders in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal. When a person develops diabetes, his or her body either does not produce enough insulin or is unable to utilise it properly. Type 2 diabetes is the most common among adults, accounting for approximately 9\/10 of all diabetes occurrences. According to research, smoking cigarettes causes type 2 diabetes since smokers have a 30% - 40% higher risk of developing the condition than nonsmokers (Chang, 2012). Smoking of cigarettes harms and destroys several organs within the body while at the same time causing many diseases and resulting to the reduction of lifespan of the smokers and poor health. The practice has led to too many preventable deaths which have occurred worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, within the United States, smoking of cigarettes is the leading cause of preventable deaths causing each year more than 480,000 deaths. Toxic chemicals produced during smoking have effect of signaling the heart to beat faster and much harder. Blood vessels which flow blood constrict and force blood to travel through space which is narrow. This causes blood pressure to increase which develops to chronic high blood pressure over time. Cigarette smoking also increases harmful cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) in blood while lowering the beneficial cholesterol (high density lipoprotein), and causes building up of plaque and fat deposits within arteries making them to harden with increased risks of blood clots. Hardening of arteries within the heart is atherosclerosis which cause heart attacks (CDC, 2017)
Impact of smoking on the respiratory system
Tar in tobacco smoke is poisonous and carcinogenic. Smoking affects the respiratory system which includes nose passage and sinuses through to the smallest lung airways. The practice leads to high risks and causes bronchospasm, increased phlegm production, persistent cough, and decreased physical performance as a result of airway obstruction. Thus in management of type 2 diabetes, one needs to stop smoking and adapt a healthy living.
References
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC., (2017). Smoking and Diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/diabetes.html
Chang, A. (2012). Smoking and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, 36(6), 399-403. http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2012.36.6.399
