Stop Smoking for your Toes

It is well documented that smoking cigarettes and cigars damages your lungs. The evidence is overwhelming. But did you know that smoking affects more than your lungs. Another area of the body (there are lots) that is damaged by smoking is your feet and toes. Smoking-induced foot problems are rarely in the public eye. They are hidden from view inside footwear or hidden from view when sufferers become immobile and housebound, unable to participate in their normal lives. The foot implications of smoking can sneak up quietly and painlessly or devastatingly rapid and painful. Have a go at our stopping smoking hints or get help – every part of your life will thank you.

“I was 40 a day, first cigarette before breakfast, addicted smoker. As such, I have a very personal understanding of how difficult it is to give up smoking. As a Podiatrist I have seen the damage that smoking does to feet and the subsequent impact on life, lifestyle, and families. Believe me, you don’t want to hear or see the details, let alone have them happen to you. I encourage, implore and even beg you to find your way to quit smoking. It’s worth it and never too late. Good Luck”  – R G 

What does smoking do to the Feet

We hear a lot about what Smoking does to the Lungs and the blood vessels that supply the heart and brain. Damage is being done to all the blood vessels all around the body to a greater or lesser extent. Unfortunately for our feet, the blood vessels in our feet are among the narrowest and are the farthest from our heart. As a result, the risk of part or complete blockage of the smallest blood vessels in the feet are much higher for a smoker than a non-smoker. We often forget our feet let alone think about what keeps them alive, healthy and functional. Skin, bone, nail, hair, muscle, tendon and nerves all require a blood supply. Reduction and/or cessation of that blood supply can have negative effects including pain, loss of fatty padding, muscle wasting, nail damage, hair loss, wounds and devastating loss of toes and more. Smoking is not the only cause of foot damage but stopping smoking is an integral part of an overall healthy foot lifestyle. The rest of your body will thank you too.

Lifestyle Impacts of Foot-Related Damage due to Smoking

I don’t want to show you nasty pictures or become a harbinger of doom, but I will try to paint a word picture of the real-life impacts of smoking – from a podiatrist’s viewpoint. If any of these sound familiar, please see your Podiatrist and consider becoming an Ex-Smoker.

• When your feet become numb, you can’t feel the ground under feet.   Is you heel under you, are you on the ball of your foot, are you steady and confident?
• When your feet become numb, you may not feel your shoe slipping at the heel.   Is there a blister, has the blister broken, has the blister become infected?
• When your feet are numb, you may not feel the ground or your shoes.   Have you started walking with a clumsy plonking style, plonking onto one foot at a time?
• When your blood flow is affected, there is a reduction of blood flow to your toes.   Are your toes discoloured or do you have cold feet?
• When your blood flow is affected, there is a reduction of blood flow to your nails.   Is there enough blood to keep your toe nails growing, or are they just getting thicker?
• When your blood flow is affected, there is a reduction of blood flow to your skin.   Is there enough blood to keep your skin intact, or are you getting small sores?
• When your feet are numb and your blood flow reduced the impacts are compounded.   Are you at risk of losing toes and more?
• When you start displaying foot-related problems due to smoking, there gradual changes to your activities of daily living.    Are you becoming less active, less social?

Do any of these word-pictures apply to you? You can change your life and your lifestyle. It may not be so easy, (I know I’ve been there!) but I reckon it’s worth a go.

Tips for Quitting Smoking

Recognize the key reason or reasons why you want to quit, say them out loud. Write down your reasons and carry them in your wallet or send yourself a recurring email. Discover the reasons that are important to you – money, social, pregnancy, cough, kissing, dental implants, lifestyle renaissance ……” I wanted to buy a house – I did”

Choose a start date and stick to it. Sooner than later is always a good time.

Select a method. For example , countdown to cold turkey – 40 per day, 10, 5, 3, 3, 3, 1, 1, 0, mega cold turkey – 40, 0, nicotine replacement therapy or use an App to support you.

Get support that fits with you. You may wish to stay private, work with your doctor or perhaps enlist your family, friends and colleagues – the supportive ones, not the toxic ones!

Plan for your Triggers. When do you reach for a cigarette? What alternate actions can you take? What places and events can you bypass? Jittery, unsettled and angry may happen so it’s a good idea to be ready with non-cigarette option – preferably not an out of control verbal or physical outburst!

Keep at it. Research shows that quitting success increases if you keep trying to quit.

Revisit your Key Reasons

The 4 D Craving stoppers

These classics may help you when a craving hits you

• Double hug your chest – cross your both arms across your chest and squeeze tight until the craving passes
• Deep breathe – and count. The craving will pass
• Drink water – staying hydrated may help to flush smoking toxins out of your system
• Distraction  – do something else – walk, sing, clean your teeth, ring a friend, check your emails, move a paper clip from your right hand pocket to your left hand pocket – something!

Support for Giving Up Smoking

Wherever you live in the world, help is available to help you stop smoking. Australia has been running public health campaigns for half a century. According to WorldPopulationReview.com   12% of Australians are smokers, 12% of people in the United Kingdom, while 23% of Americans are smokers. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 16 million Americans are living with a smoking-related disease. Giving up smoking on your own is difficult. It’s okay to seek some help. Here are some Support Resources. Today is a good day to get started.

Australia      Visit http://www.quit.org.au/

UK              Visit https://www.nhs.uk/smokefree/help-and-advice/support

USA        Visit https://smokefree.gov/

Conclusion

Cigarette smoking is prevalent around the world. Smoking related foot problems are often hidden and can have devastating impacts on lifestyle and overall health. Stopping smoking is not easy, but support is available and your body and life will thank you. Good luck.