Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Smoking has mixed effects on inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease is the collective term for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Smokers have been shown to have lower than average rates of ulcerative colitis, but higher than average rates of Crohn's disease. Smokers with Crohn's disease who quit are said to have less severe symptoms.
 | Click the icon to see an image of inflammatory bowel disease. |
Peptic Ulcers. Results of studies on the effect of smoking on ulcers are mixed. Some evidence suggests that smoking delays the healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers. One 1999 study reported that after ulcers healed, about half of smokers relapsed after a year, and that all heavy smokers relapsed after 3 months. Other studies, however, have found no increased risk for ulcers in smokers. Smoking does not appear to increase susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacteria that causes many peptic ulcers.
 | Click the icon to see an image of peptic ulcers. |
Hepatitis and Cirrhosis. Smoking is linked to increased liver scarring (cirrhosis) caused by either excessive drinking or chronic hepatitis B or C viruses.
Smoking and Thyroid Disease
Cyanide, a chemical found in tobacco smoke, interferes with thyroid hormone production. Smoking triples the risk for developing thyroid disease, particularly hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Women smokers with subclinical hypothyroidism (a symptom-free condition in which the thyroid gland is mildly underactive) have a higher risk for developing full-blown hypothyroidism than their nonsmoking peers. Smoking has also been linked to goiter, a swelling of the thyroid that occurs in people who do not get enough iodine.
 | Click the icon to see an image of the thyroid. |
Smoking and Surgical Recovery
Smokers are at increased risk for heart and circulatory problems and delayed wound healing after surgery. In one study, patients who were able to cut down or quit smoking 6 - 8 weeks prior to knee or hip replacement surgery were much less likely to suffer complications.
Smoking and Disorders Related to Aging
The following are age-related conditions that occur at higher rates in smokers than non-smokers:
- Cataracts. Quitting smoking lowers the likelihood of needing cataract surgery in the future, although not to the level seen with non-smokers.
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