One of the hazards of chronic
heartburn is that it ups the risk for a
precancerous condition called ‘Barrett’s
Esophagus’, where the stomach acid
damages the cells that line the tube
connecting the mouth to the stomach.
People with Barrett’s Esophagus are at an
increased risk for esophageal cancer.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Research Center, US, have
identified some other factors associated
with a heightened
risk of developing
Barrett’s-related
cancer: Aging, a past
history of cigarette
smoking and
abdominal obesity or
belly fat.
If you’re self-treating
acid reflux, make an
appointment with your
doctor. As continuing
to use over-thecounter
products
on your own could
mask gastrointestinal
problems like
Barrett’s Esophagus,
which in most cases
should be regularly
monitored to detect
precancerous
changes.
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