How Cigarette Smoking Triggers Acid Reflux: The Mechanisms
How Does Cigarette Smoking Actually Cause Acid Reflux?
Cigarette smoking promotes acid reflux through multiple mechanisms including reduced lower esophageal sphincter pressure, increased transient sphincter relaxations, impaired esophageal clearance, and decreased saliva production. These combined effects create a perfect storm for gastroesophageal reflux, explaining why smokers have significantly higher rates of GERD and more severe symptoms.
Dr. Kumar’s Take
This research provides clear mechanistic evidence for why smoking is such a major GERD risk factor. It’s not just one problem - smoking attacks the anti-reflux defense system from multiple angles simultaneously. The sphincter weakens, relaxes more often, and doesn’t clear acid as effectively, while saliva production drops. Understanding these mechanisms helps explain why smoking cessation is so crucial for GERD patients and why some people see dramatic improvement in symptoms after quitting.