Secondhand Smoke Linked to Diabetes Risk

Related Encyclopedia • Acne • Addison's Disease • Adenocarcinoma of the Lung and Brain Metastases • Angina Pectoris More... Related Healthscout Videos Neobladder Leukemia Breakthrough Bubbles Predict Heart Attacks Preventing Lung Cancer More... Related Animations • Colon Cancer • Diabetes • Heart Attack • Self Breast Exam More... Related Drug Information • Actonel • Actos • Amaryl • Avandamet More... Related News Articles • Internet Use Can Boost Breast Cancer Patients' Faith in Docs • New Imaging Techniques Provide Closer Look Inside Lungs • Heart Patients Seek Guidance on Stents, Statins • Cervical Cancer Vaccine Continues to Spark Debate More...

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2

"I haven't heard about this before," said John Banzhaf, executive director of Action on Smoking and Health. "So far as I know, this is the first study to make this connection."

Secondhand smoke could be more dangerous for the pancreas, where insulin is produced, than the fumes inhaled directly by smokers, the researchers said. The toxic substances in secondhand smoke are produced at different temperatures and under different chemical conditions. So some toxins that damage the pancreas might be at even higher concentrations in secondhand smoke than in smoke that is inhaled directly, they said.

That stands to reason, Banzhaf said. "I know that the secondhand smoke is different from, and in many ways more dangerous than, directly inhaled smoke," he said. "It's the difference between a well-ventilated fire in a fireplace and one where there is not enough ventilation to produce proper oxygenation."

Text Continues Below

---

If tobacco smoke -- whether secondhand or inhaled directly -- is a risk factor for diabetes, "that would be very important and frightening because of the other trend of increasing obesity," Banzhaf said. "When you put the two together, you have a really deadly combination."

Dr. Robert Rizza, president of the American Diabetes Association, said the new study provides "one more reason why it is best not to be exposed to passive smoke."

That warning probably applies most urgently to young people, Rizza said. It's possible that there are critical periods in development when toxic substances are more dangerous. So, he added, "the prudent thing is to be sure your children aren't exposed to passive smoke."

More information

For more about the dangers of secondhand smoke, visit the National Library of Medicine (www.nlm.nih.gov ).

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2