The Heartburn Symptom A Gastroenterologist Would Never, Ever Ignore

Chest painThough sleepiness and headaches can all seem like “normal life” issues, Dr Kaywaan Khan, a GP at Harley Street’s Hannah London, told us that exhaustion and frequent migraines warrant a doctor’s visit. And previously, Tim Woodman, Medical Director for Policy and Cancer Services at Bupa UK, shared that even sweating and itching are sometimes red flags.On his Instagram page, gastroenterologist Dr Joseph Salhab, known online as The Stomach Doc, added that sometimes, seemingly innocent heartburn can be more serious than it looks, too.“A specific type of oesophageal cancer, called oesophageal adenocarcinoma... is strongly related to a condition called GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease,” he wrote. And though the expert stressed that heartburn is not the same as GERD, it can be a symptom of it: one he’d want checked out under certain conditions.What is oesophageal adenocarcinoma?Oesophageal adenocarcinoma develops in the gland cells, which form the lining of the oesophagus. It appears to have been rising in the UK and other countries in recent years and is more common among men.GERD and acid reflux can increase your risk of developing the condition, Cancer Research UK adds – this can manifest as chronic heartburn and/or indigestion.“The longer or more often you have symptoms, the higher your risk,” they added.No wonder Dr Salhab said that “If you’ve had long-term heartburn (especially occurring 2+ times per week) that’s persistent, you should eventually get an evaluation by a gastroenterologist.”If untreated, he said, it can help lead to a precancerous condition called Barrett’s oesophagus, “which can progress to oesophageal cancer if not monitored over time”.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Dr. Joseph Salhab (@thestomachdoc)What are the other oesophageal cancer red flags?Dr Salhab said that other risk factors for developing Barrett’s oesophagus include being male, being Caucasian, being over 50, smoking, being obese, and having a family history of the condition can all increase your risk. Symptoms of oesophageal cancer, he added, include: Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)Unintentional weight lossPersistent chest pain or pressurePersistent cough or hoarsenessFood getting stuck in the throatWorsening heartburn or indigestion.He added, “Early detection and regular monitoring are key. If you have chronic GERD symptoms, don’t ignore them – talk to your doctor about screening options.” Related...6 Symptoms A Lymphoma Doctor Would Never, Ever Ignore4 Signs Your Bad Breath Might Be A Symptom Of Something Serious7 'Normal' Symptoms A Doctor Says You Should Never, Ever Ignore

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