Increased stomach acid can increase the risk of esophageal cancer

Most people have experienced reflux of stomach acid (GERD) at least once in their life. However, if you have chronic acid reflux, which can recur two or more times per week, you may be at risk for esophageal cancer. Why is that? Check out the explanation in this article.

The relationship between increased stomach acid and esophageal cancer

Gastric acid reflux, also known as GERD, is a condition in which stomach acid flows along the esophagus or esophagus, giving rise to heartburn , which is a burning sensation in the chest. Generally, this condition occurs after you eat certain foods that can trigger GERD.

If you have GERD and it is not treated properly, increased stomach acid can injure the lining of the esophagus and cause inflammation. Well, if the condition is left for a long time, the inflammation will erode the esophagus and damage the tissue around the esophagus.

In fact, tissue damage in the esophagus due to GERD can lead to a precancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus. This condition causes the tissue in your esophagus to become similar to the tissue found in the lining of the intestine, and can eventually lead to cancer.

People who have both GERD and Barrett's esophagus at the same time are more likely to develop esophageal cancer than people who only have GERD.

What to do to prevent esophageal cancer if you have GERD

Here are some ways you can prevent esophageal cancer, especially if you have GERD:

• If you smoke, quit smoking right now.
• Limit alcohol consumption, preferably stop consuming alcohol altogether.
• Eat healthy foods that contain balanced nutrition from fruits and vegetables.
• For those of you who already have a history of GERD, it is better to avoid spicy and sour foods, coffee, soft drinks, and processed products because they can worsen GERD.
• Avoid stress.
• Control your ideal body weight until you reach your ideal body weight so you can avoid obesity. Because some researchers agree that obesity is also known to contribute to esophageal cancer. Check if your weight is now ideal at bit.ly/indeksmassatubuh or in this link.
• Some research data shows that in patients who already have GERD, if they eat excess meat and go to sleep, it will cause heartburn in 4 out of 5 cases of GERD.
• Don't go to sleep right after eating. The reason is, sleeping immediately after eating will facilitate the contents of the stomach, including stomach acid, back up into the esophagus.
• If you experience heartburn or GERD which recurs several times a week or even every day, immediately consult a doctor so that you can get treatment that suits your needs. Remember, getting immediate medical treatment according to your needs is an effective way to prevent esophageal cancer.

Generally esophageal cancer can take years to develop so this cancer often does not cause significant symptoms in the early stages. Usually, people only notice symptoms when the cancer has increased in stages. This is why it is important for you to regularly consult your doctor about esophageal cancer screening if you are at high risk of developing this type of cancer.

It is important to know that not everyone who has ulcers / GERD is at risk of developing cancer. But in most cases, almost everyone who has esophageal cancer has acid reflux.