Diabetes and COPD are all-too-often found together. In fact, studies show that approximately 14%-15% of people who have COPD also have diabetes. One does not cause the other, according to About.com. Their connection seems to be linked by one common risk factor: smoking.
The National Institutes of Health, there are two main forms of COPD: chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD, and the longer a person smokes the more likely they are to develop the condition. A number of studies have found that smoking, by itself, could lead to glucose intolerance, impaired fasting glucose, and type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes and COPD are a very deadly combination. People with diabetes COPD are at risk of faster deteriorating lung function, heart disease, and death. Those who have both diabetes and COPD can improve their condition by quiting smoking, of course. Many can also better condition by joining a pulmonary rehabilitation program or other exercise group. This will help improve both blood sugar control and COPD symptoms.
Quitting Smoking for COPD Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), smoking hurts your lungs and your heart. Therefore, quitting is very important, particularly if you have diabetes and COPD. Because of this, the ADA offers the following steps to help you quit smoking:
Step one: Realize the benefits of quitting. By quitting smoking you lower the risk of hurting your blood vessels, eyes, nerves and other organs. You will also have fewer wrinkles, smell better, and not expose your family to the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Step two: Prepare to quit. There is no question that quitting is hard work. Therefore, you should approach it as you would any major project. Before you quit you should set a specific date to quit, and tell all of your friends and family about it. Next, make a list of all your reasons for quitting and put it somewhere you will see it each day. Finally, throw away all your cigarettes, matches, lighters and ashtrays and seek support for quitting from friends and family.
Step three: Choose a quitting strategy. You could quit cold turkey, which works best for some people, or you could taper off, which means cutting back over several weeks. Many people use a nicotine patch, gum, inhaler, or spray to aid them in this endeavor. Finally, ask your doctor about any alternative therapies that may help, such as counseling, acupuncture, or hypnosis.
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