If you have heartburn, it's unlikely that you are on a path to esophageal cancer -- as some advertisements for heartburn medications imply. But chronic heartburn can cause medical complications, and you should talk with your doctor about your individual situation, according to the September issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.
Every day, about 10 percent of Americans have heartburn. Usually, it's fleeting and mild. Chronic heartburn -- that occurs several times a week -- could indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. There are several ways to treat GERD, beginning with lifestyle changes such as exercising, losing weight and avoiding foods that trigger heartburn. Medications and surgery also could help.
Only about five percent of people with GERD have Barrett's esophagus, a condition in which cells similar to the stomach's lining develop in the lower esophagus. If you have Barrett's esophagus, you are at greater risk of developing esophogeal cancer. The statistics don't indicate panic, but do check with your doctor if your heartburn is chronic and isn't controlled by antacids.
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