Acid reflux can be very painful. Some people may even think they’re having a heart attack when the pain hits. While occasional heartburn isn’t unusual, continuous acid reflux is not only uncomfortable, it could lead to other serious illnesses, like Barrett’s esophagus.

With Barrett’s esophagus, the cells in your esophagus lining change because of the constant and repeated exposure of the stomach acid as it rises due to reflux. Because the lining of the esophagus isn’t as tough as the lining of the stomach, the acid wears away at it.

Click here to read more.

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Tags: chronic pain blog, pain blog, acid reflux, heartburn, GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer

Acid reflux can be very painful. Some people may even think they’re having a heart attack when the pain hits. While occasional heartburn isn’t unusual, continuous acid reflux is not only uncomfortable, it could lead to other serious illnesses, like Barrett’s esophagus.

With Barrett’s esophagus, the cells in your esophagus lining change because of the constant and repeated exposure of the stomach acid as it rises due to reflux. Because the lining of the esophagus isn’t as tough as the lining of the stomach, the acid wears away at it.

Barrett’s esophagus isn’t common, but it can happen as a result of GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease – repeated acid reflux. People who have Barrett’s esophagus have a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer.

According to a study published in 2007, approximately 25% of the population in the U.S. experience acid reflux at least once a week and this number is rising every year. And, people are increasingly being admitted to the hospital for acid reflux.

The reason for the rising rates? One likely culprit is the rising rate of obesity. It only stands to reason if you think of why acid reflux happens. Between your esophagus and your stomach is a one-way valve that allows food to go down into the stomach but blocks it from coming back up. Women who are pregnant often understand how the fetus pushes up the stomach, giving it less room to hold food, and ends up causing acid reflux. The pressure pushes the stomach up, the stomach has less room, so the stomach contents are forced up past the valve. The same thing happens with obesity.

According to some experts, Americans aren’t doing themselves any favors by popping all the antacid remedies that are marketed towards them. Their easy availability often makes people feel that they can continue to eat whatever they want because they will be able to treat any resulting heartburn, rather than avoiding situations and making lifestyle changes to avoid the heartburn to begin with.

Click here to read about the risk factors of acid reflux and what you can do to reduce your risks.

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Tags: chronic pain blog, pain blog, acid reflux, heartburn, GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer