When heartburn means trouble

Here comes that old familiar feeling. The irritating pain of heartburn. You take some medicine and the burning subsides—until the next time.

Even though it’s easy to pop another antacid, ongoing heartburn shouldn’t be taken lightly. Heartburn that isn’t treated could lead to cancer of the esophagus.

Heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest or throat that happens when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth and stomach. There is a muscle between the stomach and esophagus that usually prevents acid backup, but if the muscle is weak, the acid can go the wrong way.

Sometimes heartburn pain is so bad, it’s mistaken for a heart attack.

Many things can make heartburn worse, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), including:

• Consuming spicy or fatty foods, carbonated drinks, chocolate, regular or decaffeinated coffee, caffeinated drinks, tomato products, mints, peppermint, or citrus fruits or juices

• Being overweight

• Smoking

• Drinking alcohol

• Lying down soon after eating a meal

• Wearing tight clothes

• Diseases or medications that weaken the muscle between the stomach and esophagus Heartburn that occurs frequently may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

GERD can cause symptoms other than heartburn, including hoarseness, sore throat, trouble swallowing, dry cough and bad breath.

When you have GERD, the cells in your esophagus are regularly irritated by stomach acid. Over time, this may cause the cells that are supposed to line the esophagus to be replaced with cells similar to those that line the small intestine. This condition is called Barrett’s esophagus.

According to Aspirus Medical Oncologist Dr. Justin Asquith, “Once the cells in your esophagus have changed, you are at risk for cancer of the esophagus— even if you get your heartburn under control. If you have Barrett’s esophagus, you should have your doctor monitor for changes that could be an early indication of cancer.”

Asquith added, “You also need to be aware of the symptoms of cancer of the esophagus. They can include: difficult or painful swallowing; chest pain; weight loss; vomiting; bleeding into the esophagus, which may cause black stools and can lead to anemia; hoarseness or chronic cough.

You should talk to your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.”

“It’s important to talk to your doctor if you have frequent heartburn or have been taking antacids for more than three weeks,” said Asquith. “There may be prescription medicines that work better for you than overthe- counter antacids.”