It is easy to dismiss heartburn as a minor inconvenience. In fact, occasional heartburn isn’t unusual. But untreated heartburn allows stomach acid to repeatedly damage the lining of your esophagus. What starts as a simple discomfort can lead to permanent changes if ignored.
Heartburn is what you feel when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. You might feel a burning sensation in the chest or throat, along with a sour or bitter taste. While the stomach lining is designed to handle its own acid, the esophagus isn’t built for that kind of exposure.
If this happens occasionally, it’s probably nothing to worry about. But if it occurs frequently or over a long period, you may be dealing with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). And in some cases, long-term GERD can quietly raise your risk for esophageal cancer.
GERD isn’t just about heartburn. It can affect you in more ways than you might expect. You may notice symptoms such as:
These symptoms tend to worsen after eating a large meal, bending over, or lying down at night.
The esophagus isn’t designed to handle repeated contact with stomach acid. Over time, ongoing acid exposure damages the tissue. This can lead to inflammation, scarring, or changes in how the cells behave.
Chronic irritation increases your risk for a condition called Barrett’s esophagus. This is where the normal lining of the esophagus is replaced with cells that resemble those in the stomach. Your body does this in an attempt to protect itself. But unfortunately, these new cells can turn into cancer.
While most people with Barrett’s won’t develop cancer, their risk is significantly higher than the general population. If you’re diagnosed with Barrett’s, your doctor may recommend:
If you’re experiencing symptoms often, or they’re beginning to interfere with your comfort or sleep, it’s time to take them seriously. The key to preventing complications of Barrett’s esophagus is to catch it early, when treatment is most effective. This is also when the chances of progression are low.
Make an appointment to be evaluated by a gastroenterologist if you have:
Heartburn may seem like a minor inconvenience, but when it’s frequent or severe, acid reflux can quietly damage your esophagus. Over time, untreated heartburn can increase your risk for more serious conditions, including cancer.
Don’t continue to live with untreated heartburn – schedule an appointment today!
If you have not registered for the new gPortal please select the Register/Learn More button for instructions on registering.
The Patient Portal messages are only monitored during regular business hours. Please allow 24-72 hours to be contacted by a staff member.
To pay your bill online, please choose the correct option below: select the “Clinic Locations” button if you’re paying your Physician or Clinic Statement, or select the “ASC Locations” button if you’re paying your Procedure Statement at one of our Ambulatory Surgical Centers.
Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio (GCSA) is a Professional Association owned by the physicians that practice within it. GCSA’s physicians are directly involved in the management of patient services. GCSA physicians have indirect ownership interest in our Histology/Pathology, Anesthesia, Infusion and Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASC).
