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Heartburn and Smoking

If you smoke, consider stopping or decreasing the amount you smoke. This is a wise decision for a few reasons:……….CLICK & SEE

Reason No. 1: Saliva Production

Cigarette smoking slows the production of saliva. Saliva is one of your body’s defenses against damage to the esophagus. There are even acid-neutralizing chemicals in saliva, called bicarbonates. Research shows that the saliva of smokers contains smaller amounts of bicarbonates, thus reducing the ability of the saliva to neutralize the acid. Saliva also bathes the esophagus and lessens the effects of acid that has refluxed up from the stomach, and helps wash the acid down to the stomach.

Reason No. 2: Too Much Stomach Acid
Smoking stimulates the production of stomach acid.

Reason No. 3: Weakens Digestive Valves
Smoking can weaken and relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a valve at the junction between esophagus and stomach……...click & see

If the LES isn’t working properly or relaxes inappropriately, stomach contents can reflux back up into the esophagus.

Reason No. 4: Changes Stomach Acid
Smoking also seems to promote the movement of bile salts from the intestine to the stomach, which makes the stomach acids more harmful.

Reason No. 5: Injures Esophagus
Smoking may directly injure the esophagus, making it even more susceptible to further damage from acid reflux.

Reason No. 6: Slows Digestion
Studies have shown that smokers have decreased gastric motility (digestion) while smoking, which can cause less efficient digestion because the stomach takes longer to empty.

Source:/heartburn.about.com

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Alcohol Can Trigger Heartburn

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Alcohol can have several unpleasant affects on heartburn sufferers, so it is best to avoid alcohol if you suffer from acid reflux. There are a few tips that may make it possible for you to enjoy alcoholic beverages — if consumed in moderation……...CLICK & SEE

Why Alcohol Makes Heartburn Worse
Alcohol consumption should be reduced or avoided because:

* Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid.
* Alcohol relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing stomach contents to reflux back up into the esophagus.
* When the LES relaxes, it causes swallowing contractions to become erratic.
* Alcohol makes the esophagus more sensitive to stomach acid.
* Alcohol can lead to the development of peptic ulcers and interfere with the healing of ulcers already present.

If You’d Still Like the Occasional Alcoholic Beverage
To minimize alcohol’s affect on your digestive system:

* Dilute alcoholic beverages with water or club soda.
* Drink moderate amounts of alcoholic beverages — the suggested amounts are 1 to 2 mixed drinks, 12 to 16 ounces of wine, or 2 to 3 beers.
* When having wine, drink white wine instead of red.
* Choose non-alcoholic beer or wine.
* Keep track of which alcoholic drinks aggravate your heartburn, and avoid them as much as possible.

Source:    /heartburn.about.com/

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