“Are constipation and acidity common while quitting from smoking?”
I have been a heavy smoker for the last 30 years and I am finally trying to quit smoking. A month ago, I cut my cigarette intake by half and am working on gradually getting down to 0 cigarettes per day (so far I have gone from 10 a day to 5 a day!).
I am experiencing severe acidity in my stomach, and constipation. Could these be a result of my quitting? I am trying to drink more water to help but it still happens.
I am experiencing severe acidity in my stomach, and constipation. Could these be a result of my quitting? I am trying to drink more water to help but it still happens.
2 Answers
We cannot assume that what you describe as severe acidity is actually from acid. Many upper GI symptoms can feel like they are caused by acid, but often this is not the case. I would need to hear more specifics about what you are experiencing to help determine if there is acid involved and whether smoking cessation is related. Another approach is to simply block acid production with Prilosec or Nexium and see if things get better.
Constipation can happen as a result of many things including anxiety. If quitting smoking is causing some degree of anxiety then there could be a connection between the two. Otherwise, they are probably not related. Drinking water does not help constipation - this is a myth. Try more fiber like Benefiber three times per day and/or daily Miralax.
Congratulations on cutting down on smoking!!
Constipation can happen as a result of many things including anxiety. If quitting smoking is causing some degree of anxiety then there could be a connection between the two. Otherwise, they are probably not related. Drinking water does not help constipation - this is a myth. Try more fiber like Benefiber three times per day and/or daily Miralax.
Congratulations on cutting down on smoking!!
Please see your doctor. Certain GI conditions are closely linked to cessation of smoking.
