Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Celiac & Smoking Cigarettes

heidi g.

Recommended Posts

heidi g. Contributor
heidi g.
Posted

So everytime I smoke a cigarette my stomach starts to hurt or a couple minutes it will get bloated and icky feeling. All im wondering is has that happened to anybody? I am trying so hard to quit but I am addicted and I have been using them to help relieve stress sometimes. Can cigarettes damage the healing process??

Thanks(I know it's bad for you but I just want to know if it can make my stomach feel like this too)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I don't know if cigs can slow down the healing, they didn't for me but I switched to an additive free tobacco when I was diagnosed as I know some cigs have gluten derived ingredients. One big plus to the switch was I went from smoking a pack a day to now smoking about 5 to 6 a day with no effort. I think I was addicted more to the additives than to the nicotine. If I do smoke most cigs, if I happen to run out of my regular brand, I find I want one as soon as I put out the last. And as a bonus my lips blister and peel. Needless to say I make sure I don't run out now.

RuskitD Rookie
RuskitD
Posted

Logic says smoking would slow down healing. The chemicals we ingest by smoking, our bodies must attack and remove from our system, just as the body does when we ingest gluten. The more things our body has to fight at one time, the harder its going to be for it to fight effectively. Putting a bigger stress on our system, slowing healing.

That being said, I have not had issues from smoking like you describe. I am fascinated with the post ravenwoodglass made! I would have never thought of that! (I am very new to this! and learning every day!) I am so glad that info was shared!!!!

From ravenwoodglass' post, I would say you are getting glutened from your brand!

I will suggest something to help you quit! Before my total health crash in January, I had researched eCigarettes. I have tried patches, gum, other ways. None were helpful. I will NOT try Chantix! Yes, everyone quits with it! But 50% of the people I know who used it have had long term mental health issues. It works on the brain to make you quit, and I guess in some people, permanently alters the brain.

From what i have read, an overwhelming number of people who want to quit cigs, do with the eCig. All you ingest with it is the nicotine. Its very easy to taper off the nicotine with these, so you are ingesting none, and then all you have to work on is breaking the habit of reaching for/holding it. From the stats I have read, most people quit cigs in a month, and quit the eCig within a year.

At first doctors said these were another bad, but now they have jumped on the bandwagon that they are a wonderful stop smoking aide.

I found myself an inexpensive one to try, in case I didn't like it. I do! I prefer it to real cigs! I am going to invest in a better one now. I know I will be cigarette free within the month, and easily! I highly recommend you find one!!! The initial investment can be a little steep, so shop around! However, they are so much less expensive than cigarettes, in the long run. And the aide to your health is priceless!!!

Good luck to you!

mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

I have seen some artcles that link stopping smoking with triggerring Celiac.

Some links that say cigarette smoking can lessen Celiac gut symptoms. (This may be because cigarette smoking does make it harder for a body to absorb nutrients through the gut, and therefore may alter in the digesting as a whole for gluten too. So how would a person pinpoint it is harder for the digestion of gluten?)

Dont jump on my case and ask for these articles, because I had stumbled upon this information at least 6 years ago, and I would have to just do a new search like anybody else. I just don't have time with a sick kid right now. So just keep in mind you can run accross all kinds of "articles" but put it in perspective of your own common sense.

Is it more likely you are inflated your belly with air from dragging on that cigarette?

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

I have seen some artcles that link stopping smoking with triggerring Celiac.

Some links that say cigarette smoking can lessen Celiac gut symptoms. (This may be because cigarette smoking does make it harder for a body to absorb nutrients through the gut, and therefore may alter in the digesting as a whole for gluten too. So how would a person pinpoint it is harder for the digestion of gluten?)

Dont jump on my case and ask for these articles, because I had stumbled upon this information at least 6 years ago, and I would have to just do a new search like anybody else. I just don't have time with a sick kid right now. So just keep in mind you can run accross all kinds of "articles" but put it in perspective of your own common sense.

Is it more likely you are inflated your belly with air from dragging on that cigarette?

I think the way it works is that smoking is somewhat of an immune suppressor, like alcohol can be. While you smoke, symptoms are kept somewhat at bay because your immune system is suppressed to a certain degree. I quit smoking 4 months before I hit the wall with Celiac so I would tend to agree with this. It was bad...... :ph34r:

heidi g. Contributor
heidi g.
Posted
  • Author

Yea I read about it postponing the trigger of celiacs disease. I also have problems with gerd and I read it can make it worse because it can increase acid production in the stomach.

Bubba's Mom Enthusiast
Bubba's Mom
Posted

I read in one of the posts about MSG here today that said MSG is added to some tobacco/cigarettes. Could it be possible that you are sensitive to MSG?

I used to smoke so I know it's hard to quit. It's very important to your overall health that you try though. I had to find replacements for the times I would have grabbed a cigarette. For me, cough drops worked very well. The "ceremony" of opening it, and the fact that it's an oral stimulant seemed to make the switch much easier.

I quit smoking over 10 years ago..but still have to pop a cough drop in my mouth while driving. LOL ;)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cahill Collaborator
cahill
Posted

Isnt tobacco in the nightshade family??

Do you have problems with nightshades??

heidi g. Contributor
heidi g.
Posted
  • Author

Yea I think I do. After eating anything with peppers and I get bloated with potatoes and I dont dare try anything with tomato sauce. I have a hard time eating ketchup sometimes. Cigarettes are part of the night shade family? I have only briefly read about it in college could you please share more information?

cahill Collaborator
cahill
Posted

Alkaloids produced by the nightshade family:

nicotine in tobacco

hallucinogenic and deadly tropane alkaloids in belladonna

mildly irritating alkaloids in tomatoes, potatoes, and other food nightshades

As a group, nightshades have a bad reputation in alternative health circles and many practitioners recommend avoiding tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant, or eliminating them from the diet entirely

heidi g. Contributor
heidi g.
Posted
  • Author

Ahh thank you. Someone told me about a small proportion of celiac sufferers also are intolerant to fructose. So for the day i didn't eat or drink anything with it. Then i go to taco bell and get a Baja blast (totally forgot about the fructose in soda) and drank some. 1hour later and i have D and an icky stomach. And when i smoke cigarettes i usually drink something right after so i think i found my real culprit! No more candy for me :( and i am also lactose intolerant so no ice cream either. I can't have any sweet things. Alot of fruit does it to me too. Only thing i can eat ok is half of a banana and any grapes are ok.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. ShariW
      - ShariW commented on Scott Adams's article in Frequently Asked Questions About Celiac Disease
      4

      What are Celiac Disease Symptoms?

      In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, I had gastroesophageal reflux that was becoming intolerable despite treatment with PPIs and antacids. When I went gluten-free, the GERD lessened tremendously (as did the other symptoms).
    2. klmgarland
      - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      Thank you so very much Scott. Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful. If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to ...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      My only proof

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,908
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    ebrown
    Newest Member
    ebrown
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      My only proof

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
    • Scott Adams
      I think I am gluten intolerant

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Based on what you've described, it is absolutely possible you are dealing with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).  Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.   Your situation is a classic presentation: a negative celiac panel but a clear, recurring pattern of symptoms triggered by gluten. The symptoms you listed—particularly the extreme fatigue, bloating, neurological-psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety, and even the skin manifestations like facial flushing—are all well-documented in research on NCGS. It's important to know that you are not alone in experiencing this specific combination of physical and emotional reactions. The only way to know for sure is to commit to a strict, 100% gluten-free diet under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian for a period of several weeks to see if your symptoms significantly improve. It is also crucial to rule out other potential causes, so discussing these symptoms with a gastroenterologist is a very important next step.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.