Smoking, as we know it, is dangerous to your health. Smoking may have a few benefits, like bringing relaxation and comfort, but there are tonnes of underlying medical conditions that smoking can cause. There are different things that can be smoked in various ways, but to be precise, smoking tobacco causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also increases the risk of tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Can Smoking Cause Ulcer?
This may be an uncommon question, but can smoking really cause ulcers? A peptic or stomach ulcer is a sore that grows in the lining of the digestive tract. A peptic ulcer may appear in the lining of the oesophagus, stomach, or small intestines. There might be absolutely no direct relationship between smoking and having an ulcer, but smoking can cause various digestive problems and conditions, including peptic ulcers. Ulcers can also be caused by poor eating habits and destructive lifestyle choices. We are always advised to consume more high-fiber foods and rich nutritional diets and stay away from poor dietary habits (including eating too many rich, fatty or spicy foods), alcohol, and caffeine.
Now, back to the question, can smoking cause ulcers? Yes, smoking can actually cause peptic ulcers. Smokers are more likely to develop peptic ulcers even though they live on healthy diets and consume rich fiber foods.
If the cause of the ulcer wasn’t as a result of smoking, then your ulcer is more likely to heal if you stop smoking. Smoking also raises the risk of infection from Helicobacter pylori.
Smoking affects the stomach in many ways. It can affect digestion and cause upset in the stomach. Nicotine, which is found in most tobacco products and other smokable sources, weakens the sphincter. Food contents in the stomach may flow back into the esophagus due to the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to possible heartburn and damage to the lining of the esophagus. GERD occurs when backflow or reflux is present at least twice a week.
The body doesn’t welcome this particular constituent of tobacco. Nicotine is absorbed into your bloodstream and goes to your adrenal glands, just above your kidneys. The glands release adrenaline, which increases your blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate. But adrenaline also gives you a lot of good feelings all at once.
Aside causing ulcers, smoking can also be related to other digestive conditions and underlying conditions like diabetes. Here are some digestive conditions that smoking can cause.
- Crohn’s disease; a chronic inflammatory bowel disease
- Liver failure; smoking limits your liver’s ability to remove these toxins from your body
- Colon cancer; just like most other cancers, smoking is one of the major risk factors for colon cancer
- Gallstones; studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of developing gallstones
- Cancer of the digestive tract; smoking is also a risk factor for mouth, lip, and voice box cancer, as well as cancer of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, colon, and rectum.
Smoking can actually cause more damage to the digestive tract than most people realize. Aside from affecting the respiratory system and digestive system, there are still other underlying diseases that smoking can cause. Smoking isn’t a good habit, and you shouldn’t get addicted to inhaling tobacco and other smoked products. It can damage your mental health and impair your physical health.
Symptoms of Stomach Ulcer
- Symptoms may include pain in the upper abdomen; this particular sign can be common in stomach ulcers
- Other symptoms include pain and other circumstances that can occur at night
- Pain types that can be dull
- Heartburn, indigestion, nausea, passing excessive amounts of gas, or vomiting
How Can Stomach Ulcers Be Treated?
Stomach Ulcers can be treated depending on the cause; consult your doctor for medication to relieve pain and seal up the sore in your stomach.
- If what caused your ulcer was the H. Pylori bacteria, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic medications to kill the H. pylori bacteria
- There are certain medications that block acid production and promote healing
- Your doctor may also recommend medications that reduce acid production rather than block it
- Your doctor may also recommend antacids that will neutralize stomach acid
- Your physician may also prescribe medications that protect the lining of your stomach and small intestine
Hilary Ojibe is a dedicated medical student with a passion for health and fitness. With a deep interest in understanding how the body works, Hilary enjoys applying medical knowledge to everyday health practices. As a fitness enthusiast, Hilary is committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle and shares valuable insights through articles focused on wellness, fitness and overall health improvement.
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