Smoking a Pipe with GERD/Reflux

[BriarBrook]

Smoking is one of those things that supposedly makes GERD/Acid reflux worse... so why does it make mine feel better? Multiple times per day, I have acid creep up in my throat, causing a burning sensation. But as soon as I start puffing, it almost immediately alleviates it. Long term it's bad, but good in the moment, I guess?

 

[Non-Mentholated Black Man]

…so why does it make mine feel better?

{I am not a physician and this is not medical advice.}

Perhaps it is the result of an increase in the production of saliva and/or the higher pH of the smoke itself.

 

[TakeThisCobAndStuffIt]

This is NOT medical advice. From what you say you might have a hiatal hernia. Smoking can relax the lower esophageal sphincter which will let that blob of acid or food pass back into your stomach. Ask your doctor to check at your next exam.

 

[olkofri]

Smoking is one of those things that supposedly makes GERD/Acid reflux worse... so why does it make mine feel better?

Because most of what the "experts" tell you about reflux is BS and propaganda.

I've had GERD for over 20 years. According to the medicasters I shouldn't drink nor smoke. Well, I enjoy my pipes and my nightcap actually makes the heartburn go away (at least whilst I drink).

Go enjoy your tobacco, and listen not to the anti-smoking mafia.

 

[AroEnglish]

Maybe the reflux is stress related and smoking helps you to relax?

 

[Doctor Chopper]

Both tobacco and alcohol decrease the resting pressure of the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) at end of esophagus allowing increased reflux. Why you experience a paradoxical reaction would require further investigation.

@olkofri - I am certainly not "anti-smoking mafia", but both do increase your risk factors for GERD. When you are drinking, you wash down the acid as you swallow which can help for a very short time. After a smoke and drink the chemicals are absorbed and enter the blood stream where they then act upon the smooth muscle receptors to activate the effect which would occur a short while after drinking/smoking.

By the way, I got a real Medicasters Degree (MD) and know of which I speak....

-Doc

 

[Choatecav]

Both tobacco and alcohol decrease the resting pressure of the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) at end of esophagus allowing increased reflux. Why you experience a paradoxical reaction would require further investigation.

@olkofri - I am certainly not "anti-smoking mafia", but both do increase your risk factors for GERD. When you are drinking, you wash down the acid as you swallow which can help for a very short time. After a smoke and drink the chemicals are absorbed and enter the blood stream where they then act upon the smooth muscle receptors to activate the effect which would occur a short while after drinking/smoking.

By the way, I got a real Medicasters Degree (MD) and know of which I speak....

-Doc

Glad you're on board, Doc........

 

[ParkitoATL]

Stop eating flour for a month and you'll likely see a vast improvement. You might want to give up caffeine as well. Both of those set me off big time.

 

[OverMountain]

Both tobacco and alcohol decrease the resting pressure of the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) at end of esophagus allowing increased reflux. Why you experience a paradoxical reaction would require further investigation.

@olkofri - I am certainly not "anti-smoking mafia", but both do increase your risk factors for GERD. When you are drinking, you wash down the acid as you swallow which can help for a very short time. After a smoke and drink the chemicals are absorbed and enter the blood stream where they then act upon the smooth muscle receptors to activate the effect which would occur a short while after drinking/smoking.

By the way, I got a real Medicasters Degree (MD) and know of which I speak....

-Doc

Doc- your counsel and observations are always appreciated here!

 

[olkofri]

By the way, I got a real Medicasters Degree (MD) and know of which I speak....

Ditto here: DVM Olkofri.

I chose not to be licensed to practice, but I haven't forgotten everything.

I criticise doctors because they, at least in Canada, treat patients in a way I woulda never treated MY patients, and they were all animals.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

The reason I cant smoke my pipe in the car with the windows up, or while watching tv with my wife... is because she claims the smoke gives her heartburn.

She is a sweet and beautiful wife. I would believe anything she told me... But how in the hell can a little second hand pipe smoke give a person heartburn?

It's a riddle that I grapple with on a daily basis...

 

[anotherbob]

The reason I cant smoke my pipe in the car with the windows up, or while watching tv with my wife... is because she claims the smoke gives her heartburn.

She is a sweet and beautiful wife. I would believe anything she told me... But how in the hell can a little second hand pipe smoke give a person heartburn?

It's a riddle that I grapple with on a daily basis...

ain't it so fun being a person? Some stuff just triggers people physical/emotionally/ or both. Agree with the sentiment that a sweet and beautiful wife is better then smoking a pipe any time we feel like it. I'd love to smoke a pipe while walking with the girlfriend but she claims it effects her breathing.

 

[Sigmund]

Cigarettes, even a few a day give me chronic indigeston which is one reason I always found it somewhat easy to quit. The pipe doesnt upset my stomach.

 

[elvishrunes]

The reason it makes you feel better short term is probably because nicotine is a drug, and that’s what drugs do, that’s why they’ve been around for human history.

In alternative medicine they say acid reflux is caused by low stomach acid and it creates a reaction, not sure the science, but small amounts of fermented vegetables and kombucha, stuff like that that promotes more stomach acid is often the remedy….

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

ain't it so fun being a person? Some stuff just triggers people physical/emotionally/ or both. Agree with the sentiment that a sweet and beautiful wife is better then smoking a pipe any time we feel like it. I'd love to smoke a pipe while walking with the girlfriend but she claims it effects her breathing.

Are you taking my wife's side?

You aint supposed to be doing that, brother.

 

[didimauw]

Because most of what the "experts" tell you about reflux is BS and propaganda.

I've had GERD for over 20 years. According to the medicasters I shouldn't drink nor smoke. Well, I enjoy my pipes and my nightcap actually makes the heartburn go away (at least whilst I drink).

Go enjoy your tobacco, and listen not to the anti-smoking mafia.

@olkofri for president!

 

[ParkitoATL]

Guys, don't over complicate it, just stop eating flour for a few weeks and tell that doesn't make your reflux go away.

 

[anotherbob]

Are you taking my wife's side?

You aint supposed to be doing that, brother.

I am just saying sometimes you got to let wife things slide and admit it's worth the trade off. Either that or get a divorce.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

The reason I cant smoke my pipe in the car with the windows up, or while watching tv with my wife... is because she claims the smoke gives her heartburn.

She is a sweet and beautiful wife. I would believe anything she told me... But how in the hell can a little second hand pipe smoke give a person heartburn?

It's a riddle that I grapple with on a daily basis...

Sounds like smoking in the car with your wife gives YOU heartburn too.

 

[jpmcwjr]

The reason I cant smoke my pipe in the car with the windows up, or while watching tv with my wife... is because she claims the smoke gives her heartburn.
<< Snipped bits out >>

Can't you crack the window an inch? Won't destroy a/c much....