Heartburn affects thousands of people. However, severe heartburn can cause devastating results. It could eventually even lead to death.

Severe heartburn can cause Gastro Esophageal Reflex Disease (GERD.) Untreated this can cause a condition known as Barrett’s Esophagus.

About one in ten people with GERD develop this condition. Barrett’s Esophagus can lead to cancer in the esophagus. What happens is that the normal esophagus lining is replaced with an abnormal lining due to acid. In time, the cells could turn into cancer. Cancer from Barrett’s only happens in about five percent of the people.

There is no cure or treatment to reverse it for Barrett’s. Surgery is recommended in high-risk cases. The best course of action is to get and keep your GERD under control to avoid acid reflex.

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