I have recently come to the conclusion that i have i.b.s but i have a question, does smoking affect i.b.s at all, every time i smoke i get that nervous feeling in my stomach that makes me feel like i have to "go" Anyone else experiance that??

Jenn

Hi cara-belle ..Remember what Lucinda said that a person who has anxiety and smokes ,and drinkes coffee ,and has a donut is asking for it . Not a quote but it`s in the tapes I thing it`s one the one on the diet . We are what we eat is more true to use . So I hope this helpes take care and be real nice to your self .I remember quiting smoking my self I could cut down but it was hard to stop .And now I don`t smoke at all sheww it was worth it and so are we

Hi flowerlady thanks for the reply, yes i agree we are what we eat, oh man is it hard to quit smoking, i have cut down alot but to stop all together its harder than i thought. What i wanted to know is if the nicotene itself can make you feel like you have to go, i have been controlling the anxiety really well thanks to the program but like i said everytime i light up i get that feeling, not axious just like i have to go.

Jennifer

Jennifer

I was going to reply to your post before but felt I didn't have enough info. For what it's worth I do believe I read somewhere that smoking can irritate the intestinal lining. I know it speeds up your metabolism, so I guess that would make sense about having to go.

Years ago I was diagnosed with ibs and I think it's kinda trial and error on what kicks it off even when stress is under control. Right now for me it's usually stress that does it.

Fellow sufferer
Serene

Jennifer,
Absolutely smoking can affect the lining of our intestines, which affects our digestion.

I don't smoke myself, but I know several people who do/have. My partner used to get that jittery feeling you describe both when she needed a cig and after she had one. Its like its a double edged sword.

She finally kicked the habit and although the withdrawl stage was hard, she feels much more even-keeled now. And, because of her positive experiences with the cigarettes she decided to quit coffee (caffeine) and alcohal. Its been great. She's much calmer to be around and doesn't seem to be jumping around from subject to subject as much as she used to. Its refreshing.

Oh, and now that she doesn't smoke, she absolutely can't stand being around others that do. Its like she's hyper-sensitive to it and gets totally grossed out by it. My dad, who smoked for 40 years is the same way. He can't believe that he used to smell like that. And they both can smell it miles away. You know? Like if someone in a car several car lengths in front of us is smoking, they can tell. Its weird. Almost like a spidey-sense thing. LOL

Anyhoo, smoking affects all the major organs. This including the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. If follows that our digestive process would be disrupted from the damage smoking causes.

If you decide to quit, remember that smoking is actually several habits wrapped into one. There is the chemical addiction, the habit of putting something in your mouth (which is parcially to blame for why people often gain weight when they quit - because they satisfy the "putting something in the mouth" habit with donuts, etc.), and the social addiction. You hang with other smokers and actually take breaks from work and other activities to go have a smoke. So, if you quit, make sure you still take those mini-breaks and suck on a straw or some non-fattening candies.

Take care,
Zair

ANY stimulant, caffeine, nicotine, etc. will stimulate ALL of you including your digestive track. Some people are more sensitive to this than others. Think about it, if it makes your heart rate speed up, why not your bowels? Makes sense to me!

Leslie

Hi, Everyone

Yes you bet ya, Smoking does cause IBS I have it for a long time but I stopped and the IBS subsided and now there are other issues. I am now taking a dose of fiber from the local GNC and it helps!!! I am free to have some chocolate but not a whole bunch because it intensivifies my fears (Anxiety)and now I could take long trips with my husband but because I was always afraid of having an IBS day I avoid going. I hope this helps. God Bless! Lisa