If you smoke, you are surely aware of many of the health risks that you face each time you make the decision to light up. It is no secret that cigarette smoking carries with it the threat of many potentially deadly diseases including cancer, emphysema and heart disease. Did you know that smoking can even have a serious impact on your digestive health?

Smoking can impact the part of the body that converts foods into the nutrients your body needs to live. Smoking contributes to disorders like heartburn and peptic ulcers. It also increases the risk of Crohn’s disease and could encourage gall stones. Some studies show that smoking even affects the liver by changing the way it handles drugs and alcohol.

Heartburn
Smoking decreases the strength of the esophageal valve that is designed to keep stomach acids out of the esophagus. Heartburn occurs when acidic juices from the stomach splash into the esophagus. It’s painful and potential dangerous over the long term. A muscular valve at the lower end of the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), usually keeps the acid solution where it belongs, but when that valve is weakened by smoking, it can’t be as effective as it should be. Stomach acids might even be strengthened because smoking seems to encourage the movement of bile salts from the intestine to the stomach. Of course, smoke from cigarettes can cause direct damage to the esophagus and cause it to be weak and defenseless against other biological factors that threaten it.

Peptic Ulcer
When a small open sore develops in the lining of the stomach or in the first part of the small intestine – called the duodenum – the condition is called a peptic ulcer. While no one knows the exact cause of these ulcers, a relationship between smoking cigarettes and ulcers, especially duodenal ulcers, has been proven, according to the United States Attorney General who said ulcers are less likely to heal and more likely to kill smokers than non-smokers. Some research suggests people who smoke are at a higher risk of infection from Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) a form of bacteria. Smoking might also reduce the sodium bicarbonate normally produced by the pancreas to buffer harsh acids, therefore causing stomach acids to be stronger. Smoking might also increase the amount of strong acids produced by the stomach.

Liver Disease
The liver processes drugs, alcohol, and other toxins to remove them from the body. Smoking might cause the liver to be less effective. Smokers should check to see if the doses of medication they are prescribed is right depending on how well the liver is functioning. Smoking might make liver disease caused by excessive alcohol intake even worse.

Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease causes inflammation in the deep lining of the intestine. The disease can occur anywhere in the digestive tract. Current and former smokers have a higher risk of developing Crohn's disease than nonsmokers do.

Gallstones
Several studies suggest that smoking may increases risk of gallstones and that the risk may be higher for women, further research is needed to define the exact risks.

The best way to battle the increased risks of developing these diseases as a result of smoking is to quit smoking.