Smoking and Its Harmful Effects on Those with Diabetes

Smoking is indisputably harmful across the board to all people, but for those who suffer from Diabetes, smoking can create specific, unique health issues.  Those with Diabetes have a weakened body that allows the harming effects of nicotine to be more of a danger.

Firstly, those who smoke have an increased risk for Type 2 Diabetes.  People who have a family history are already at risk, but increase their chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes by up to 3 times that of a non-smoker, according to the American Journal of Epidemiology.  So if you smoke, this is yet another reason to quit before Diabetes or Cancer develops.

Diabetes is a disease that affects multiple functions of your body; it can cause nerve damage and lower the oxygenation in your blood stream. Nerve damage is a serious Diabetes symptom. Autonomic neuropathy is specifically a very dangerous form of nerve damage because these are the nerves that send warning signals from the spinal cord to the brain.  With those nerves damaged, your body losses its ability to warn itself and will result in ill adjustment of your blood pressure and heart rate. 

Cigarette smoke can also cause another danger by hardening and narrowing large and small blood vessels resulting in reduced blow flow to the rest of the body, also known as a drop in perfusion.  This is particularly dangerous because if your oxygenated blood does not reach its intended destination, the tissue in your extremities is likely to not function properly.  One occurrence of this is erectile dysfunction, a symptom that can have profound emotional and psychological impact on an individual.  This in itself is a very persuasive reason to give up smoking altogether, but for those who have been affected by this unfortunate symptom, the erectile dysfunction vacuum systems has proven to be an effective treatment . 

Once free of cigarettes your body will right some of the oppressed areas that have been affected.  As soon as you quit smoking you can see results like your heart rate and blood pressure returning to a lower state just after in the first hour, after the first day your carbon monoxide level returns to normal and at one year your risk of a coronary disease is cut in half compared to non-smokers.  Nicotine is the main driving factor that gives Diabetes suffers such a hard time controlling blood sugar levels.  Total eMedical has a great selection of diabetes testing supplies and monitors and critical tools for managing Diabetes.  We can also help you obtain these critical devices by working with your insurance company or Medicare that in many cases will cover your costs.

Prevent developments of nerve damage, improper blood follow and the onset of Type 2 Diabetes by quitting smoking today. Total eMedical is committed providing the best of Diabetic supplies to help you control the condition, but we strongly urge lifestyle changes – such as diet, exercise and quitting smoking.  We are a family owned and operated company that would like to make you feel as one of our own.  Let us be there for you on your way to a healthy and happy life!

Sources

American Journal of Epidemiology

American Diabetes Association

Web MD

Traveling the World? Don’t Let Diabetes Stop You

Dreaming of the pyramids, an African safari, a relaxing Mexican beach or the Far East? We can understand why. The world is an endless list of travel options with something for every personal preference and you shouldn’t let diabetes stop you. Although diabetes is a lifelong disease, there’s no reason it should lower your quality of life. You deserve that great escape just as much as the next person. Just follow a few basic tips and you’ll be able to look forward to a safe and enjoyable vacation to any destination you fancy.

Travel by Plane

There are a few modes of transportation that will get your dream vacation started but air travel is one of the most popular -it’s also the one you need to be the most careful about. On most boats, cars or trains you typically have easier access to the right food for your diet and are able to carry your medication with you without problems. On a plane, however, you need to make sure and bring a doctor’s letter to explain to officials why you have insulin, syringes or any other prescription medicine. It’s also important that your doctor list exactly what medicines you’re prescribed; therefore, if you need to obtain them in another destination, there is medical proof of what you need.

The FAA recommends that you carry all your medicine with the original pharmaceutical labels instead of in alternative packaging like pill boxes, for example. Make sure to keep your medicine in your hand luggage and not in the overhead bin (definitely don’t check it!) Beyond not having access to the medications, the quality could be compromised with the freezing air conditions in the belly of the plane once you’re up in the air. You also want to avoid the possibility of the airline losing your luggage and as a result, your medicine.
Sometimes airlines offer meals en route and you can ask for a diabetic specific meal; however, we recommend bringing your own meal, especially since meal times are uncertain on planes. When boarding the flight, let the flight attendant know that you have diabetes and ask for an aisle seat if you need to get to the bathroom more frequently for insulin injections. Tip: Something that many people forget is that the air on the plane is usually pressurized so make certain not to inject air into the bottle when drawing your insulin dose.

Packing

There’s a saying: when packing you should take half the clothes and twice the money. Diabetics actually should take twice the amount of medication and supplies that they anticipate needing as well. To avoid the instance of your blood glucose level dropping you should pack glucose meters, Diabetes test strips and/or a blood test kit so you can check your levels often. Have the appropriate snacks, glucose gel or tablets on hand in the instance that ever happens to be the case. It goes without saying but make sure to have the proper medical identification with you, insurance cards, first aid kits and any emergency phone numbers. Basically, everything a bystander would need to help you if something goes wrong. If you’re going to countries that speak different languages have your identification listed in their language as well.

Time Change

It’s also important to consider the time zone differences. This will affect how much insulin you need to take since your day might be shorter or longer depending on the direction you’re traveling. If you’re heading east, your day will be shorter. If you’re heading west, it will be longer. So keep that in mind when planning.

Travel is a universally enjoyed hobby – there’s something for everyone and you should enjoy it to the fullest even with the added challenge of managing your diabetes. It might take a little extra planning and caution but when you’re traveling with diabetes, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Practice these tips in addition to your normal diet regulations and get ready to take that well deserved trip. Bon voyage!