Cigarettes and stomach acid are linked and can trigger gerd

Smoking has a lot of bad effects for health. One of the effects that is most often echoed is lung disease. However, it turns out that smoking does not only have an effect on the respiratory system. Cigarettes can trigger diseases related to the digestive system, namely GERD or better known as stomach acid. So, what is the relationship between smoking and stomach acid? The following is the review.

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is a condition when stomach acid rises into the esophagus, which is the part that connects the mouth and stomach, causing burning in the chest and a series of other symptoms. GERD is used to describe acid reflux disease that is already severe or chronic. Due to the chronic category, this disease can occur one to two times per week.

When you swallow food, usually the muscles in the lower part of the esophagus that separate the esophagus from the stomach relax so that food and liquids will flow into the stomach before finally closing back down. However, when the muscles in this area are weakened so that they cannot control when to close and open, the stomach acid in the stomach can flow back into the esophagus. If this happens too often it will irritate the lining of your esophagus causing it to become inflamed. This condition then triggers GERD.

Why are smokers more susceptible to GERD?

Quoted from Everyday Health, smoking and stomach acid are closely related. Cigarettes can trigger GERD or chronic stomach acid due to several factors, namely:

Weakened lower esophageal sphincter

Cigarettes contain nicotine which can relax smooth muscle in the body. The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscle in the lower part of the esophagus that separates the esophagus from the stomach which belongs to smooth muscle. The sphincter is responsible for regulating the passage of food to the stomach and preventing acid from entering the esophagus. Unfortunately, nicotine causes the spicter to relax so that stomach acid is at risk of rising into the esophagus and eventually causing GERD.

Reducing saliva

Smokers have less saliva than normal people. This is triggered by various ingredients in cigarettes that make the mouth drier. In fact, saliva is an acid neutralizing substance called bicarbonate which helps fight the effects of stomach acid reflux and GERD.

So actually when you swallow, saliva helps neutralize acids in the esophagus that occur due to reflux. Conversely, if you produce less saliva, the acid that rises to the esophagus cannot be neutralized, which ultimately makes you more susceptible to GERD.

Increase the production of acid in the stomach

Did you know that smoking encourages the stomach to produce more stomach acid. Indirectly, there is more stomach acid that has the opportunity to go up into the esophagus. As a result, your chances of getting GERD are even greater.

Interfere with the muscles and lining of the esophagus

Apart from being able to relax the esophageal muscles that are supposed to contract to close, smoking also has an equally bad effect on this muscle. Cigarettes interfere with the work of the muscles that help move food down the esophagus. Though this muscle works by helping clean the esophagus from damaging acids. Not only the muscles are damaged but the mucous membrane that protects the esophagus from acid damage is also affected.

Because smoking and stomach acid are closely related, you should start reducing the intensity and number of cigarettes you consume every day to avoid various health problems including GERD.