Does smoking affect the health of your feet? Yes! Smoking may cause vascular (heart and blood vessel) disease as well as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), commonly called "poor circulation," according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
When you smoke, the combustion products of tobacco are absorbed in the bloodstream. These chemicals stimulate the release of other chemicals, which injure blood vessels and encourage thickening and hardening of the arteries. Smoking also causes blood vessels to constrict, which limits the amount of blood that can circulate.
Smoking and diabetes are a deadly combination for the vascular system. Fortunately, there are many new medications and successful programs to help people quit smoking. If you smoke and you’re ready to quit, ask your health care provider to refer you to one of these programs for help.
Compiled from 101 Foot-Care Tips for People with Diabetes, by Jessie H. Ahroni, PhD, ARNP, CDE. Copyright by the American Diabetes Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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