Beware! Chronic Heartburn Can Cause Throat Cancer

Burning sensation in the stomach or also known as heartburn can be caused by smoking, drinking alcohol, or excess stomach acid disease. Beware these conditions if it lasts a long time, especially if you are not a smoker or drinker of alcohol.

A study conducted by a team from Brown University led by Scott M. Langevin found that people who suffer from chronic heartburn are at high risk of cancer of the throat and vocal cords. The study involved 631 patients with throat cancer and vocal cords in Boston. While the control group or the healthy person consists of 1,234 respondents. Results of research published in the journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

All participants were previously tested HPV 16, to make sure the cancer suffered is not caused by that. Participants also filled out questionnaires about the health of the family, a history of heartburn, and the habit of smoking and drinking alcohol. The survey also takes into account sociodemographic backgrounds of participants.

Langevin found that respondents who often experience heartburn 78 percent chance of heartburn due to risk of throat cancer and vocal cords. However, further research is also needed to determine the effects of antacids on the development of throat cancer and vocal cords. Antacids are medicines that are often prescribed to reduce nausea that arise. Langevin said, although antacids reduce nausea, but the cause of heartburn is not necessarily lost. Treatment process to some extent will affect the development of cancer cells.

Langevin added that additional research is needed to validate the antacid effect between the patients who have often heartburn. Surely the results of research into how much antacid recommendations can be given, and when the patient should undergo further treatment.

Cancer of the vocal cords and throat become one of the threats in the United States. National Cancer Institute reported 12.260 cases of cancer of the vocal cords and throat cancer 13.930. About 6 thousand people are estimated to die from the disease.

Heartburn may be symptoms of cancer

Heartburn due to acid rising (heartburn) that lasts longer than three weeks or more should not be ignored. The experts say, these symptoms can be symptoms of cancer. In the Be Clear On Cancer campaign mentioned, the heartburn symptoms that lasted long enough often symptoms of esophageal cancer or gastric cancer. 

Heartburn, also known as gastric acid reflux, is a digestive disorder that occurs when gastric acid and climbed back into the throat. Throat section has no protective layer so that will happen inflammation due to the acidic fluid and cause pain.

In a survey in the UK known to 59 percent of respondents did not know that the prolonged heartburn is a symptom of cancer. Be Clear On Cancer campaign also mentions other symptoms to look out for, namely difficulty swallowing food. Stomach cancer may suffered by men and women over the age of 50 years. This disease can be triggered by smoking,  alcohol drinking habits, lack of fruit and vegetable consumption, and also obesity.

Change lifestyle to "ease heartburn"

Drugs may be able to improve quickly this acid reflux. However, the effect is usually short-lived and do not help prevent henceforth. For most people, a slight adjustment of diet and lifestyle changes are the best solutions to overcome them.

1. Eat little but often instead of three large meals a day.

Eat small amounts but often, reducing the workload of the stomach and therefore acid secretion for digestion less. In other words, do not overeat.

2. Include complex carbohydrates in every meal

These foods such as rice, oatmeal, whole wheat bread and pasta, is able to bind excess stomach acid and are often easier to fill the stomach.

3. Avoid high-fat foods

High-fat foods stay longer in the stomach, thereby causing gastric acid secretion needs more to digest.

4. Avoid beverages that can be a trigger

Some drinks that trigger heartburn more often, including coffee, tea, caffeinated soda, carbonated sodas, and alcohol. The worst of all is beer, which can double the gastric acid within one hour.

5. Do not always decide to drink milk.

You may have tried to drink milk to facilitate ease of gastric acid before going to bed. But milk often causes stomach acid up during sleep. Be aware, excess stomach acid can come from eating too much at dinner. Milk was able to fix quickly, but eventually encourage secretion of gastric acid. Try eating a slice of whole wheat bread or a small bowl of oatmeal instead.

6. Eat more ginger

This herb has been used for centuries in Asian cultures as a natural remedy to overcome stomach problems.

7. Eat parsley

Parsley is not only used as a garnish dish. This herb also helps digestive problems.

8. When attacked at bedtime

When experience heartburn at night, try to stop eating at least two hours before bedtime. Elevate head with an extra pillow.

9. Lose weight if overweight

A 2006 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that obese people with a body mass index (BMI) between 25-30, two times more likely to have heartburn. People with obese with a BMI over 30, tripled the risk.