Ulcers |
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Smoking increases the risk of ulcers. Prostaglandins, one of a unique group of chemicals our bodies produce, are essential for a healthy lining of the stomach and small intestine.
Smoking reduces the production of these essential prostaglandins, a reduction that, when prolonged over a period of years, causes the lining of these vital digestive organs to lose tone and become susceptible to damage from the normal digestive process.
In brief ulcers slowly develop. Stress is a secondary contributor to the ulcers that smokers develop. Recall that under stress the digestive process stops. This leaves the undigested stomach contents, including stomach acids, where they are.
Digestive organ linings, weakened by years of smoking, are consequently more susceptible to this stress cycle, making smokers more likely than nonsmokers to get ulcers.
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