Can smoking exacerbate gerd?

Smoking worsens GERD: Smoking can decreased the muscle tone in the muscular band between the stomach and the esophagus (les); thereby increasing the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, worsening heartburn, cough, hoarseness, sore throat and the other symptoms of gerd. Tomato sauce, alcohol, various medications, coffee, and chocolate are some of the other things which can worsen gerd.

Yes: Nicotine relaxes smooth muscle and the lower esophageal sphincter and decrease sphincter tone worsening and exacerbating the gerd. Smoking can also provoke acid reflux.

Yes it can: Smoking can surely increase risk of gerd. It impairs lower esophageal sphincter function, increases acid secretion, and damages protective mucus membranes. It reduces salivation, which helps neutralize acid secretion when present in normal quantities. Both nicotine and smoking may be responsible, since some patch wearers also get gerd. Emphysema & alcohol worsen gerd too.