Esophageal Cancer

A Science Daily article entitled 'Control Acid Reflux To Help Prevent Esophageal Cancer' has information on an increasingly prevalent health problem- esophageal cancer- as well as some advice on how to deal with it. Acid reflux, which involves the flow of stomach acid into the esophagus, when it becomes chronic, can lead to Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is a condition wherein chronic acid reflux alters the nature of cells in the lower esophagus and by doing so increases the probability that cancer will develop there.

There has been an increase in esophageal cancer that may be attributable to an increase in obesity. Obesity can exacerbate an acid reflux problem. Losing weight is common advice for those suffering from Barrett's esophagus. Also commonly recommended is that those afflicted with the condition not lie down after eating as this can result in stomach acid entering the esophagus. Remaining upright can prevent stomach acid from moving vertically. Gravity tends to confine the liquid acid to the stomach. Another recommendation, that can be helpful, is sleeping on a bed that is inclined so that gravity influences acid flow during sleep.