There are approximately 120 million smokers in India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India is home to 12% of the world’s smokers. More than 10 million die each year due to tobacco in India. According to a 2002, WHO estimate, 70% of adult males in India smoke. Among adult females, the figure is much lower at between 13–15%. About 90% of children under the age of 16 years (10th class) have used some form of tobacco in the past, and 70% are still using tobacco products.
According to the Indian Heart Association (IHA), India accounts for 83% of the world's heart disease burden, despite having less than 20% of the world's population.
Most of the smokers follow a daily ritual of smoking a cigerette on empty stomach as first thing in the morning. This is more harmful than smoking later in the day after you had something in the stomach. Smoking has harmful effects on various parts of our body but effect on digestive sytem is something which most of the smokers don't realise or ignore. Smoking is associated with cancer of the digestive organs, including the head and neck, stomach, pancreas and colon.
Smoking induces heartburn
The digestive system contains acidic juices that help us digest food. This juice gets active when there is any food in the stomach but when you smoke on empty stomach the juices get active but has nothing to digest and this cause acid reflux, the juices flow backward into our esophagus or food pipe, they can cause heartburn. They can also cause a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). The esophagus is protected from these acids by the esophageal sphincter. This is a muscular valve that keeps fluids in your stomach. But smoking weakens the sphincter. Thus, smoking allows stomach acid to flow backward into esophagus.
Smokers tend to get peptic ulcers more often than non smokers. Ulcers are painful sores in the lining of the stomach or the beginning of the small intestine. They are more likely to heal if you stop smoking.
Smoking also increases the risk of Crohn's disease and gallstones. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. This disease is an autoimmune disorder of the digestive tract. Where as gallstones form when liquid stored in gallbladder turns into material that resembles stones.
The Reality
If you smoke you are at great risk. If you can't stop it right away, take it step by step, take it slow, seek medical help. As a step one, stop smoking on empty stomach and as 1st thing in the morning. This will save your lungs, heart and digestive part from cancers and disorders.
Disclaimer: Whatever I write is based on actual studies and research because even I am a common man trying to inculcate the reality of living a natural life while many of us getting drifted from it.
Comments