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A member asked:
Does smoking a cigarette relieve heartburn?
3 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
NO: Smoking leads to increased acid reflux typically! smoking reduces the protective mucous layer in the stomach which also predisposes smokers to ulcers and stomach cancer.
Answered 7/4/2014
6.3k views
Usually CAUSES it: In most people, tobacco smoke, and probably the nicotine itself (which is a muscle relaxant) causes the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve separating the stomach for the gullet, to relax and allow acid from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn. I have not heard of a patient ever saying that a cigarette improved it. Being overweight and use of alcohol are also risk factors.
Answered 2/4/2013
5.3k views
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