If you suffer from heartburn you know how irritating it can be. At Matthews Internal Medicine, we’ve helped many patients deal with this problem and make lifestyle changes that can reduce this annoying ailment’s presence in their lives. Many patients see reduced symptoms when they change their eating habits, but a bad diet isn’t the only thing that can affect how often you get heartburn. If you’re a smoker, you may end up having heartburn problems more often than most, even if you’ve made some significant changes to how you eat and drink. A number of studies in recent years have focused on the connection between them. See our first post about this topic here.
Smokers Are More Likely to Have Acid Reflux
A recent study showed that smokers were much more likely to have acid reflux than nonsmokers. This is a condition where acid from the stomach leaks upwards. It travels through your esophagus, the tube that your food travels through to the stomach, causing an uncomfortable feeling. Cigarettes aren’t the only thing that can cause an increased likelihood of acid reflux and heartburn. The consumption of alcohol and coffee can also increase your risk. The big problem here is that consumption of both is also common among smokers. If you smoke, drink coffee, and consume alcohol, you’re basically asking for heartburn.
Smoking Affects Esophageal Muscles
One of the primary problems with smoking is that the addictive nicotine found within can have all sorts of side effects on your body. One of them is the ability to weaken esophageal muscles. In your esophagus there’s an important ring of muscle that keeps the acid your body produces in the stomach, where it belongs. The stomach acid is a necessary ingredient for the digestive process, but you don’t want that damaging substance to make its way elsewhere. That’s what that ring of muscle in your esophagus is for, but when it’s weakened by nicotine it can end up relaxing more often. When that ring relaxes, that acid flows up your throat and causes that burning feeling that you’re all too familiar with.
Cigarettes Reduce Saliva Production
The saliva in your mouth is another line of defense against heartburn and acid reflux. Unfortunately, smoking cigarettes can affect how much saliva your mouth produces. This can worsen your heartburn symptoms and make them more common. Quitting smoking can help your saliva production return to normal levels, adding another layer of protection against this irritating health problem.
A Smoker’s Cough Makes Things Worse
People who smoke for a long time can end up developing what’s commonly referred to as a “smoker’s cough.” If you’re already suffering from heartburn, a cough can actually make things worse. Every time you cough it leads to a rising pressure in your abdomen. This can mean more acid reflux and more trouble with heartburn.
Your Smoking Cessation Experts in Matthews, NC
So if you’re ready to quit smoking, don’t be afraid to ask for some help. Even if you’re not suffering from serious heartburn, the doctors who specialize in smoking cessation here at Matthews Internal Medicine can help you make this incredibly important lifestyle change and reap the health benefits.