Smoking & Drinking

Alcohol consumption of three or more drinks per day and cigarette smoking share similar, and probably additive, effects on some forms of cancer. In most cases, moderate drinking does not share these risks. Chronic drinking and/or smoking is linked diagnoses of Squamos Cell Carcinoma, and therefore the use of tobacco and alcohol should be limited. Reducing exposure to the harmful substances may reduce risk of damaging the esophagus.

Alcohol consumption exposes the esophagus to potentially harmful substances. Harmful alcohol exposure can be reduced by limiting frequency of intake and abstaining from harder types of alcohol. Any alcohol consumption should be done in moderation. This applies to all forms of drinking alcohol: vodka, whiskey, rum, other hard alcohols, wine, champagne/sparkling-wine, beer, etc. The acidity and amount of carbonation of alcoholic beverages can have corrosive effects on the lining of the esophagus. To prevent exposure to these more corrosive alcoholic beverages, hard alcohols (liquor) and fizzy drinks should be consumed sparingly or not at all. Instead, wine and lightly carbonated beer are potential alternatives. Minimizing intake, especially of more harmful alcohols, can have a positive effect on the esophageal health.

Smoking or any other type of tobacco use is not recommended at all. Whereas some studies suggest that regular, limited consumption of red wine can actually be helpful to one’s health, little credible evidence supports tobacco use of any kind. Smokeless tobacco use is no better than cigarette smoking, as direct contact with tobacco the gums and cheeks exposes the user to other cancers, in addition to lung and esophageal cancer. There are many methods available for reducing tobacco use in stages, but the goal should remain the same: being healthy. In summary, for a healthier esophagus do not use tobacco.