How Smoking Effects Heartburn

Smoking is not just bad for your heart and your lungs. If you suffer from heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and you are a smoker, chances are that your habit is making your symptoms worse. Smoking exacerbates GERD and heartburn in a number of ways:

• Smoking increases acidity in your stomach. When you smoke, it stimulates acid production which can lead to discomfort and ultimately heartburn.
• Smoking reduces the amount of saliva your produce. Saliva contains acid-neutralizing chemicals, so if you have less of it, you are losing one of your body’s important defenses against heartburn and GERD.
• Smoking slows down digestion. When digestion slows, food spends more time in your stomach. When your stomach is full for longer, you chances of acid reflux and discomfort are elevated.
• Smoking causes damage to your esophagus. If you already have esophageal damage from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), smoking can make you vulnerable to further injury.
• Smoking weakens sphincters in your digestive system. GERD occurs when the contents of your stomach leak up into your esophagus. Smoking can make the lower esophageal sphincter weaker, which can exacerbate your heartburn and GERD symptoms.
• Smoking changes the composition of your stomach acids. Studies have shown that smokers have more bile salts in their stomach acids, which can make those acids more corrosive.

There are a lot of health risks associated with smoking, but if you are suffering from frequent heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) it is very likely that your habit is causing you this severe pain.