8. Smoking’s Searing Impact: Not Just Lung’s Business
Smoke your way into this one: Smoking aggravates duodenal ulcers. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. While the focus is often on lung cancer and heart disease, your gut also pays the price for your smoking habit.
Let’s get technical for a second. Nicotine increases stomach acid production. More acid equates to more irritation, especially if you have an existing duodenal ulcer. But wait, there’s more—smoking also weakens the stomach lining and reduces blood flow to the area. Talk about a triple whammy.
How about e-cigarettes, you ask? Preliminary studies suggest they may be less harmful to duodenal ulcers than traditional cigarettes. But remember, less harmful doesn’t mean harmless. Vaporizing your nicotine still isn’t giving your gut a free pass.
When all’s said and done, if you’re a smoker dealing with a duodenal ulcer, quitting could be a game-changer. You’ll need to tackle withdrawal symptoms and cravings, but your stomach will thank you. If that’s not a good reason to quit, what is? (8)
