Smoking & Acid Reflux: Consequences & Tips for Quitting

Smoking is a hard habit to break, but its devastating effects on health, affecting every area of our body, cannot be ignored. One of these harmful effects includes the impact on the digestive system, in particular on acid reflux. Also known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), acid reflux is a common problem that can cause bothersome symptoms such as heartburns and regurgitations. Because we know that quitting smoking can be a difficult challenge, we want to share some tips and advice on how to stop, or at least reduce, tobacco consumption and enjoy the many short- and long-term benefits for your health and quality of life.

In this article, we're going to dive into how smoking affects GORD, and how, thanks to a few simple tips, you can enjoy the results of this precious investment.

• Smoking: Effects on GORD
• Tips for Quitting Smoking
• Benefits of Quitting Smoking on Health and Overall Well-Being
• Wrapping Up

Smoking : Effects on GORD

There's no doubt that smoking has a harmful impact on health, but the consequences for the digestive system, especially GORD, are often underestimated. They can be expressed in several ways:

Relaxation of the Lower Oesophageal Sphincter (LOS)

LOS is a muscle located at the junction between the oesophagus and the stomach. Its main function is to keep the upper part of the stomach closed to prevent stomach acids from flowing back into the oesophagus. Smoking can weaken the LOS, which means it has a harder time preventing stomach acid from flowing back up into the oesophagus, making acid reflux more likely. 

Increased Gastric Acid Production

Smoking stimulates gastric acid production. This excess results in increased pressure inside the stomach and leads almost inevitably to this acid backflowing into the oesophagus.

Chronic Cough

Many smokers develop chronic cough due to the irritation of the respiratory tract caused by cigarette smoke.
Frequent coughing puts extra pressure on the LOS, weakening its ability to keep gastric acid inside the stomach.

Impaired Oesophageal Motility

Smoking disrupts the ability of the oesophagus to propel food and liquids efficiently towards the stomach. This can cause delays in the food passing from the oesophagus to the stomach, which in turn can lead to acid reflux.

Reduced Saliva

Another consequence of smoking on digestive health is the reduced production of saliva, which has a protective role in the digestive system.
Saliva contains alkaline substances that help neutralise gastric acid and protect the lining of the oesophagus against acid damage. Less saliva means less defence against acid reflux.

Oesophageal Inflammation

Tobacco consumption contributes to inflammation of the lining of the oesophagus, aggravating acid reflux symptoms.
Inflamed oesophageal lining can make symptoms such as burning (pyrosis) more severe and prolonged.

As demonstrated above, smoking therefore has negative effects on multiple aspects of the digestive system, increasing the risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and worsening symptoms. Quitting smoking is an essential step towards reducing these effects and improving GORD management.

Tips for Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking can seem daunting, but with the right strategy and support, it becomes more feasible. Here are some tips and tricks to help you on your journey to a smoke-free life:

• Set yourself a quit date: Choose a date to quit smoking and stick to it. This will give you a concrete goal to work towards.
• Identify your triggers: Take note of the circumstances, emotions or habits that encourage you to smoke. Identify ways of avoiding them or managing them differently.
• Seek social support: Talk to your friends and family about your intention to stop smoking. Social support can be a valuable motivator.
• Consider a therapy or stop-smoking programme: Behavioural therapies, support groups and stop-smoking programmes are available to help you develop strategies for coping with cravings.
• Replace cigarettes with healthier alternatives: Try replacing cigarettes with relaxing activities or nicotine-free chewing gum.
• Exercise: Regular exercise can help reduce cravings and improve your overall health.
• Avoid traps: Stay away from places where you could be tempted to smoke and avoid people who might encourage you to smoke.
• Remember why you're stopping: Keep in mind the reasons why you decided to stop smoking. Whether it's for your health, your family or your general well-being, this will help you stay motivated.

And above all, don't hesitate to ask for help! Whether it's from friends or family, an association or a dedicated organisation, it will be an additional source of strength and support during this period. 

Benefits of Quitting Smoking on Health and Overall Well-Being

It may seem difficult at first, but giving up smoking is a worthwhile investment that will bring you huge advantages in terms of health and well-being:

• Better cardiovascular health: Stopping smoking considerably reduces the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
• Improved breathing: Your lungs will begin to repair themselves, allowing you to breathe more easily and increase your lung capacity.
• Healthier skin: Quitting smoking contribute to healthier skin and an improved complexion.
• Financial savings: You'll save significant money by stopping buying cigarettes.
• Better quality of Iife: You'll feel more energetic, fitter and better able to enjoy life without being restricted by smoking.
• Reduced risk of cancer: Stopping smoking reduces the risk of developing various types of cancer, particularly those of the lungs, throat and mouth.
• Better relationships: You'll be able to enjoy social moments without having to leave to smoke.

In the end, your body and mind will thank you for choosing to say goodbye to cigarettes.

Wrapping Up

The link between smoking and acid reflux is clear, and it's essential to be aware of this impact on digestive health. Quitting smoking may seem like a daunting challenge, but it's a decisive step towards better gastrointestinal and overall health. As well as relieving the symptoms of GORD, giving up cigarettes brings a whole host of other health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer and lung problems.