Contents:
- Medical Video: How does tobacco cause esophageal cancer ? |Find Health Questions
- The relationship of stomach acid rises with esophageal cancer
- What should be done to prevent esophageal cancer if you have GERD
Medical Video: How does tobacco cause esophageal cancer ? |Find Health Questions
Most people may have experienced gastric acid reflux (GERD / stomach acid rose) at least once in his life. However, if you experience chronic gastric acid reflux that can recur twice or more during each week, you may be at risk of esophageal cancer. Why is that? See the explanation in this article.
The relationship of stomach acid rises with esophageal cancer
Gastric reflux, or commonly called 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 experience GERD and are not treated properly, rising stomach acid can injure the esophagus and cause inflammation. Well, if the condition is left for a long time, inflammation will erode the esophagus and damage the tissue around the esophagus.
In fact, tissue damage in the esophagus due to GERD can cause a precancerous condition called Barret's esophagus. This condition causes the tissue in your esophagus to be similar to the tissue found in the lining of the intestine, and can eventually cause cancer.
People who have GERD as well as esophageal Barracks are simultaneously more likely to develop esophageal cancer than people who only have GERD.
What should be done 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, stop smoking now.
- Limit alcohol consumption, it's better to 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's good to avoid spicy and sour foods, coffee, soft drinks, and processed products because it can worsen the onset of GERD.
- Avoid stress.
- Control the weight of the ideal body to reach the ideal body weight in order to avoid obesity. Because some researchers agree that obesity is also known to contribute to esophageal cancer. Check whether your body weight is ideal at bit.ly/indeksmassatubuh or in this link.
- Some research data shows that in patients who have already experienced GERD if consuming excessive meat and going straight to sleep will cause chest heat in 4 of 5 cases of GERD.
- Don't go to sleep immediately after eating. The reason is, going straight to sleep after eating will facilitate stomach contents, including stomach acid, rising again into the esophagus.
- If you experience stomach ulcers or GERD that often recur several times a week or even every day, immediately consult a doctor so you can get a treatment that suits your needs. Remember, getting immediate medical treatment that suits your needs is an effective way to prevent esophageal cancer.
Generally esophageal cancer can take years to develop so that this cancer often does not cause significant symptoms at an early stage. Usually, people just realize the symptoms when the cancer has experienced an increase in stage. This is why it is important for you to regularly consult a doctor about esophageal cancer screening if you are at high risk of developing this type of cancer.
It is important to know that not all people who have ulcer / GERD are at risk of developing cancer. But in many cases, almost all people who experience esophageal cancer experience gastric acid reflux.