Among the many benefits of quitting smoking, it might also save you from bellyaches. Well, not exactly, but smoking can definitely inflict serious damage to your digestive system. Smoking could, for instance, relax the valve that keeps acid in your stomach, which leads to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).GERD is sometimes called acid reflux or heartburn.
With GERD, the acid doesn't stay in your stomach. Instead, the acid backflows; that is, the acids move up into the swallowing tube (or esophagus). The esophagus doesn't have the same kind of protection that the stomach has against acids, which can cause irritation and severe heartburn. Treatment with GERD starts with prevention, such as quitting smoking.
Cigarette smoking is also considered a risk factor for cancer of the esophagus and peptic ulcer disease. Kicking the smoking habit can greatly improve your odds against developing any of these painful and potentially serious conditions.