A burning sensation in the chest and throat, frequently accompanied by a sour or bitter taste, is known as heartburn. Heartburn is typically nothing to worry about if it only occurs occasionally.
However, persistent heartburn may be an indication of a more serious condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
What many people don’t know is that chronic, untreated GERD can lead to esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer has a 5-year survival rate of only 20%.
The primary symptoms of acid reflux include:
These symptoms frequently get worse right after eating, while lying down, and when bending over.
Many people have heartburn periodically. Even though there is often no obvious cause, it may be worsened by:
When acid reflux occurs frequently and doesn’t respond well to over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes, it becomes classified as GERD.
When GERD isn’t treated properly, it causes the esophagus to be exposed to stomach acid over and over.
The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid to break down food. The stomach’s durable lining can resist the powerful acid, however, the lining of the esophagus is different. Repeated exposure to acid damages the esophageal tissue. As a result of the ongoing irritation of the esophagus, there is a higher likelihood of developing Barrett’s esophagus and later, esophageal cancer.
Barrett’s esophagus affects about 10% of GERD sufferers. The condition is more common in those who have experienced acid reflux for more than five years.
The longer someone has GERD, the greater the chance that stomach acid will cause damage to the lining of their esophagus. This damage can cause the cells that normally line the esophagus to be replaced with abnormal cells. These cells are not cancerous, but they have a higher potential to become cancerous.
With time, Barrett’s esophagus cells can grow progressively more abnormal, leading to a pre-cancerous state. Those who have Barrett’s esophagus are considerably more likely to develop esophageal cancer.
A routine examination to check for pre-cancerous cells is advised for people with GERD or Barrett’s esophagus. Oftentimes, they can be treated before cancer develops.
Occasional heartburn and acid reflux do not usually need to be checked by a doctor.
You should consult a gastroenterologist if you have:
Don’t put off seeing a doctor about your heartburn symptoms. Avoid complications and schedule an appointment today!
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