Laxative effect
Research
Cigarette smoking and digestive tract
Assistance with stopping smoking
Takeaway
Smoking cigarettes may cause any effects on your bowels as a coffee can. In the end, isn’t it true that nicotine is also a stimulant?
However, research on the relationship between smoking with diarrhea isn’t clear.
Learn more about and also the negative adverse effects of smoking cigarettes.
Laxative effect
Laxatives are the substances that remove stool that’s been trapped or affected within the larger intestine (colon) which allows it to move much more smoothly through the colon.
Laxatives are also used to induce muscular reactions in the bowels that cause stool to move along the bowel, also known as stool movement. This kind of laxative is classified as a stimulant because it “stimulates” a contraction that will force stool out.
A lot of people believe that nicotine, along with other stimulants such as caffeine are similar to caffeine in their effects on the bowels, leading to an acceleration in stool movements. However, research suggests an even more complex story.
Research
What does the research reveal about the effects of smoking on bowel movements? Do they cause diarrhea?
The short answer is that we do not know for certain.
There aren’t many direct connections established between smoking cigarettes and experiencing a bowel movement. However, a lot of studies have been conducted regarding the effect of smoking cigarettes on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which is a condition in which diarrhea is one of the main symptoms.
The first thing to be aware of is that smoking cigarettes can cause diarrhea symptoms of IBD such as Crohn’s disease which is a kind of IBD -that is more severe. Trusted Source
A review in 2018 of research regarding smoking, Crohn’s Disease as well as ulcerative colitis (another kind of IBD) found that nicotine therapy can assist in controlling some symptoms caused by ulcerative colitis in people who have smoked before, however, it’s only temporary. There’s no benefit over the long term. Some studies suggest smoking may raise ulcerative colitis activity. Trusted Source
Additionally the fact that smoking increases the risk of getting Crohn’s Disease. It also makes the symptoms worse because of the inflammation that can occur within the intestines.
Additionally, smoking can increase your risk of bacteria that attack the intestines, causing diarrhea.
A study in 2015 that involved more than 20,000 people published in BMC Public Health found that smokers were more likely to be infected with the Shigella bacteria. Shigella is an intestinal bacteria that is frequently responsible for food poisoning that can cause diarrhea. Trusted Source
However, this study also found smoking causes stomachs in a way to creates more acid which means smoking smokers have a lower chance be afflicted with Vibrio Cholera illnesses. Another bacterium frequently causes diarrhea and infection.
There’s even more research that highlights how insecure the connection is between smoking and bowel movements.
A study from 2005 examined the effects of a variety of stimulants, such as nicotine and coffee on the rectal tone. It refers to the constriction of the rectum that can affect stool movements. Trusted Source Trusted Source
The study did show that caffeine increased the tone of recitals by about 45 percent. The study found a small (7 percent) increase in the rectal tone caused by nicotine that was nearly as strong as the result of water pills that contain placebo at 10 percent. Nicotine might be unrelated to puking.
ADVERTISEMENT
Online therapy can aid in long-term addiction treatment
Find a therapist through BetterHelp’s expert network to help you on your journey to recovery from addiction. Take a short test, get a match-up, and begin receiving assistance via video or phone sessions.
Cigarette smoking and digestive tract
Smoking is a major cause of cancer in the body, which includes every component of the digestive tract. This is what happens that can cause or exacerbate diarrhea, as well as other serious GI issues:
GERD. Smoking cigarettes can weaken the muscles of the esophagus and cause stomach acid to leak in the throat. Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is when stomach acid gets absorbed into the esophagus, causing persistent heartburn. Trusted Source
Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s is an ongoing digestive inflammation that can trigger symptoms such as fatigue, diarrhea, and an abnormal loss of weight. Smoking may make the symptoms worse in time. Cosnes J, et al. (2012).Trusted Source
Peptic ulcers. They are sores that develop inside the stomach lining and the intestines. Smoking cigarettes has numerous negative effects on digestion which can cause ulcers to get worse However, quitting smoking is a quick way to erase some of the adverse effects. Trusted Source
Colon polyps. These are tumors that are not normal which develop inside the intestinal tract. Smoking increases the likelihood of developing colon cancer polyps. Trusted Source
Gallstones. They are solid accumulations of calcium and cholesterol that may form inside the gallbladder, causing obstructions that might require surgical treatment. Smoking cigarettes can put your body at risk of gallstone and gallbladder disease formation. Trusted Source
Liver disease. Smoking increases the risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Quitting smoking can help slow the progression of the disease or reduce the risk of complications immediately away. Trusted Source
Pancreatitis. It is a chronic condition that affects the pancreas that helps digest food and regulate blood sugar levels. Smoking cigarettes can trigger flare-ups and increase the severity of existing symptoms. Quitting smoking can help recover faster and prevent longer-term symptoms. Trusted Source
Cancer. Smoking cigarettes is associated with a variety of kinds of cancers, however, stopping smoking reduces the risk of developing cancer significantly. Cancer caused by smoking can develop in:
colon
rectum
stomach
mouth
throat
Assistance with quitting
It isn’t easy however, it isn’t impossible. If you quit sooner than later could help lessen the effects that nicotine causes on your digestive tract as well as cleanse your body from its negative effects.
Try the following to aid you in quitting:
Change your lifestyle. Regularly exercise or meditate to break out of the routines or habits that you’ve developed around smoking cigarettes.
Encourage your family and friends to stand by your decision. Let your closest friends and family know that you are planning to stop. Request that they keep an eye on you or understand the withdrawal symptoms.
Join a support network with other smokers to learn from their experiences and get help. There are numerous online support groups.
Think about medications to combat withdrawal and cravings for nicotine withdrawals and cravings, such as bupropion (Zyban) or varenicline (Chantix) should you require.
You can consider a nicotine replacement such as gum or patch to help you get from the habit. This is also known as Nicotine substitution therapy (NRT).
The most important thing is the bottom line
Smoking cigarettes won’t cause you to vomit at all, not in a direct way. There is a myriad of other causes that could cause this feeling of urgency to go to the toilet following smoking.
Smoking cigarettes has an impact on the health of your gut. It raises the risk of digestive disorders that may cause diarrhea as well as various GI symptoms.
Quitting smoking cigarettes can help reduce or reverse certain impacts. Try a few methods to quit or ask for help in breaking this habit.