Are you a smoker? Many studies show that smokers are more susceptible to develop type 2 diabetes than non-smokers or ex-smokers. There’s a correlating effect on dose: the more a person smokes, the higher risk there is to develop diabetes. Fortunately, the risk is reduced progressively when a person quits smoking.
Live a tobacco-free life! To stop smoking, make a plan following the next steps:
1. Identify Your Motivations
There are many reasons to cease smoking. These are some related to diabetes:
- Better control of blood sugar
- Better control of blood pressure
- Better tolerance to effort
2. Make a Realistic Plan
Quitting smoking is probably one of the hardest things to do in your life. It is better to plan it:
- Identify lifestyle changes that worked for you in the past. What allowed you to reach it?
- Set a date to quit smoking. Pick a moment when your life is relatively calm.
- Define well the reasons why you want to quit.
- Throw away anything related to tobacco: cigarettes, lighters, matches, etc.
3. Choose a Method to Help You
In smoking cessation, various methods have been tested. Pick at least two to increase your chances of success.
- Join a support group
- Make use of individual consultation
- Resort to nicotine replacement therapy (gum, lozenge, inhalers, patches)
- Resort to prescription drugs (bupropion, varenicline)
Take these tips into account to quit smoking and reduce your chance of developing diabetes. I did it, and I believe you can too!
