Smoking a major risk for diabetes patients

by M. Persico

Angel Rivera’s life changed on Dec. 24, 2007, when he was rushed to the hospital. He had excruciating pain just below his stomach.

He was diagnosed with fatty pancreas disease and diabetes. His blood glucose was measured at 994; it was supposed to be less than 100.

Rivera was surprised. According to his medical record, the cause of the illness was alcoholism, but he said he had only drunk an alcoholic beverage once in his life and did not like it.

“Just a sip with my father, when I was 14,” he said.

Instead, he believes another vice was the culprit.

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http://www.baystatebanner.com/health22-2009-10-08