8. Smoking and Crohn’s: An Unfortunate Duo
If you’re wondering how smoking could relate to a gastrointestinal disease, you might be surprised. Smoking has been found to have a distinct and detrimental impact on the progression of Crohn’s disease. The toxins in cigarette smoke can cause inflammation and impair the immune system, making flare-ups more frequent and severe.
What’s interesting is that the relationship between smoking and Crohn’s is not just one-way. Crohn’s patients who smoke tend to require more aggressive treatment options and show a higher rate of surgical interventions. This could potentially result in a reduced life expectancy for smokers with Crohn’s compared to their non-smoking counterparts.
Quitting smoking can make a significant difference. Studies show that patients who quit smoking have fewer flare-ups and a better overall response to treatment. The benefits begin to show as early as a year after quitting, with some patients experiencing improvements in their symptoms and the course of the disease. (8)
