Treating Constipation After Quitting Smoking

Bowel movement issues might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to the side effects of quitting smoking. But days or weeks after you’ve stopped taking in cigarette smoke, you’re likely to experience some constipation. 

There’s a complex link between the chemicals in cigarettes and the body’s digestive system, which might explain why many ex-smokers experience constipation shortly after quitting. 

Keep reading as we dig into how quitting cigarettes can mess with your bowel movements and how you can ease the symptoms.

Did Smoking Help My Bowel Movement?

If you’ve been a long-time smoker, you or someone you know might have the habit of smoking after eating, thinking it helps with bowel movements and makes things easier.

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Chemicals in cigarette smoke can stimulate stomach movement, which can be helpful if you have digestive issues or constipation, especially with a longer colon.

It might seem like a good thing, but don’t be fooled. The chemicals in cigarette smoke can do serious harm to your body, leading to issues like poor oral health and permanent damage to your major organs, including your skin, lungs, heart, and even your digestive system.

These effects happen to smokers because the smoke and chemicals travel through different parts of the body, like the olfactory system, lungs, and stomach. 

When the substances reach your stomach, they can make some adjustments to the microbiome in your gut—the defenders of your digestive system. That’s why you might have thought smoking used to help with your bowel movements.

Did Quitting Smoking Cause My Constipation? 

Whether or not your constipation is linked to smoking, it’s something you shouldn’t ignore. It can give you clues about your current health, and you should address it right away.

Once you stop smoking, the artificial stimulation of your stomach from cigarette smoke gradually disappears, which can contribute to constipation. 

However, there may be other factors involved, like changes in your diet and lifestyle.

Diet Change

If you’re motivated to quit smoking, you might notice a change in your sense of taste, which could affect your diet. 

You might start eating more because your tastebuds are working better and you’re looking for new ways to stimulate yourself now that you’re not smoking. Eating more than usual can lead to less stomach movement, which might cause constipation.

Lifestyle

An inactive lifestyle can lead to less frequent bowel movements and eventually cause constipation. To relieve this discomfort, try adding regular physical activity to your routine. 

Regular exercise can strengthen your muscles, especially around your abdomen, and help keep things moving between your stomach, intestines, and colon.

Smoking Causes Digestive Issues

Smoking is a primary cause of numerous digestive problems, especially as you become older. Here are some examples of them.

GERD: Smoking is a known risk factor for GERD, a chronic condition where stomach acid regularly flows back into the esophagus. Smoking can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscular ring that separates the esophagus from the stomach. Weakened LES increases the likelihood of acid reflux, leading to symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain.

Crohn’s Disease: While the exact cause of Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is unknown, smoking has been identified as a significant risk factor.

Peptic Ulcers: Smoking can contribute to the development and exacerbation of peptic ulcers, which are open sores that form on the inner lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. Cigarette smoke increases stomach acid production and reduces the effectiveness of the stomach’s protective mucus barrier. 

Pancreatitis: Smoking is a well-established risk factor for pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. The harmful substances in tobacco can damage the pancreas and its blood vessels, leading to inflammation and the development of pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis, often linked to long-term smoking, can result in permanent damage to the pancreas and impair its ability to function properly.

Cancer: Smoking is a major cause of various types of cancer, including lung cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, and pancreatic cancer. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage DNA, leading to the uncontrolled growth of cells and the formation of tumors. 

Treating Constipation After Quitting Smoking

Here are several ways to provide yourself comfort and possibly treat constipation after quitting smoking.

Handle Nicotine Withdrawals

To keep yourself in check and handle the nicotine withdrawal symptoms, we strongly urge you to consult with a GP to receive a customised smoking cessation programme. 

GPs have helped many motivated smokers, including those with constipation, to quit successfully and manage their constipation by addressing their nicotine withdrawals with the right aids, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and pharmaceutical nicotine vaping products (NVPs) where needed.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise stimulates the muscles in the digestive tract, which is helpful for bowel movements. Physical activity helps to enhance the rhythmic contractions of the intestines (peristalsis), which improves bowel motility and facilitates the movement of stool through the digestive system. 

Eat Fibre-Rich Foods

Soluble and insoluble fibers found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes add bulk to the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. Soluble fiber, which dissolves in water, forms a gel-like substance in the intestines, aiding in the smooth movement of stool. 

Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, adds bulk to the stool and helps prevent constipation by speeding up its passage through the digestive tract.

Use Laxatives When Necessary

In some cases, both exercise and a good diet might not be enough to alleviate your constipation after quitting smoking. If the constipation is too much, you might need to see your GP to know if a laxative might be necessary to ease your discomfort.

Summary

While smoking can technically assist in bowel movement, it only serves to cause more harm than good given the diseases and increased risks it causes. 

Quitting smoking is much more effective and sustainable for improving constipation and your overall health, especially if paired with regular exercise, a proper diet, and a GP’s help in your smoking cessation journey.

We know you’re reading this because you’re having problems with constipation after quitting smoking, and we can definitely help.

Smokefree Clinic gives you access to many medically reviewed and trustworthy resources that can inform and aid you in your path to wellness, so have a look around! 

If you’re ready to get started, Smokefree can connect you to Australian healthcare professionals who excel in helping patients quit smoking for good.

Link Reference

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8803378/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734236/e
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1443150/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5021547/