Smoking is not only the cause of fatal and fearful health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, and cancer, but it can also cause less understood illnesses and complaints such as acid reflux. David Carr-Locke, MD, Director of Endoscopy, Brigham and the Women’s Hospital, Boston, suggested that tobacco consumption can make acid reflux worse and can cause heartburn. When an individual is diagnosed with acid reflux, the first thing that doctors recommend him or her is to stop smoking.
Commonly known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), acid reflux is a condition where gastric acid in the stomach seeps back into the oesophagus. When the gastric acid touches the oesophagus lining it causes heartburn. “Heartburn” is a misnomer term as it has nothing to do with the heart; it is a burning sensation that is felt in the chest and can radiate to the throat and neck.
What is the link between smoking and acid reflux?
Studies have shown that long-term smokers are 70% more likely to develop acid reflux disease as compared to people who have never smoked. Although, acid reflux is not directly associated with smoking, its symptoms can be alleviated with smoking cessation. Let’s have a look at why quitting smoking is a wise choice to relieve your acid reflux symptoms:
- Smoking can affect saliva production – Saliva contains acid-neutralizing chemicals called bicarbonates. When there is a reflux of gastric acid, bicarbonates neutralize the acid in the oesophagus and push it down into the stomach. Smoking can impair the ability of saliva to neutralize gastric acid by reducing the amount of bicarbonates in saliva, which can cause discomfort in the oesophagus.
- Smoking can impair digestive valves – A digestive valve between the end of the oesophagus and the entrance to the stomach is known as lower oesophageal sphincter. It relaxes to let food enter the stomach. Smoking can weaken the functioning of this valve due to which acid can revert back into the oesophagus.
- Smoking can affect oesophagus – Smoking can cause irritation in the lining of oesophagus, which makes it more likely to have discomfort from acid reflux.
Other risks related to smoking
Smoking can compress blood vessels in the outer layers of the skin. This reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the skin. Lack of oxygen and nutrients can not only make skin dry, but can also cause early signs of ageing. Smoking can also cause retinal vessel occlusion (blockage in blood vessels of the eyes). Smoking doubles the risk of developing macular degeneration, an incurable eye disease that can cause central vision loss.
Quit smoking without nicotine
Many people often resort to nicotine-replacement therapy to quit smoking. But Champix, a prescription medication that is the first non-nicotine treatment for smoking-cessation, can be a better and more effective treatment option than nicotine replacement therapy. It has been approved by the healthcare regulatory authorities to help smokers quit smoking. Champix contains the active ingredient called varenicline that prevents the release of dopamine in the brain to provide a pleasurable feeling. It binds itself with the receptors in the brain that come in contact with nicotine. It prevents those brain receptors from coming in contact with nicotine and as a result prevents nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
