GERD Cancer?

Anyone here with GERD?are you scared youll get cancer?or barretts osphegus?i heard the longer you have it the more you are at risk so if it starts at 17 are you screwed?or at least at a high risk?

how much is the risk increased?is it something to be worried about?

I have had it all my life, and it has only got progressively worse. It was dormant at first until I (by means of Caffeine) aggravated the situation causing it to become full blown. As far as the cancer or Barrett's esophagus, I do not fear it, I am at year 18 with reflux have been in and out of the hospital because of it, and I am planning on getting it. My thoughts on that are well i have no choice in that matter might as well learn to take it now so that the anxiety does not affect me in the future. Here is some information that I have complied to help people, I hope that it can help to cure you, or ease you suffering.

I am not a doctor, so either way you will want to talk to them, but this is what I have to say as a long time sufferer of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.)!

Three part answer: information, what not to do, and what to do!

INFORMATION!!!!!!
I have a very severe case of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.). I have had to go to the hospital for some of the heartburn that I have had because the pain can become overwhelming or your breathing can be effected. It can be caused by Smoking, Drinking Beverages with caffeine (My case), Drinking Beverages with Alcohol, or can be Hereditary

The good thing about G.E.R.D. is that it can be a temporary thing and can be cured. It is never a permit thing even if you end up with it for the rest of your life it has the ability to be cured.

G.E.R.D. is caused by too much acid being created in your stomach. This can lead to or cause ulcers, esophagus damage, heartburn and/or damage in the mouth. . Other symptoms that can be found in a few cases are dizziness, tingling in limbs, numbness of Limbs, Chest/Back pain focused on the left side (in most cases), and shortness/difficulty breathing.

WHAT NOT TO DO!!!!!!!!
In most cases, stress is a factor to the reflux if you watch what you eat and reduce some of the stress it will help. If you watch what you eat for about a week you should find relief, if you do not then that is when you definitely what to listen to the doctor. Things to watch for are as follows:

Fatty Foods
Citrus Foods
Foods That Contain Grease
Fried Foods
Chocolate (including any Coco)
Caffeine
Smoking
Alcohol
Tomato Based Products
Lactose
Roughage (Berries and Nuts)
Onions

WHAT TO DO!!!!
The two foods that I recommend is Black strap Molasses and Raw honey. The apple is better for night time reflux while these will work for just about all of it. What you will do is take about a tsp. of whatever one you chose. Molasses being the better because of strength and nutrition, but must be use to the taste. What the substance will do is stick to the sides of the esophagus and do two things, one is heal and the other is protect.
On the healing end, both substances have a healing property in them, and as they sit on the walls of the esophagus they will heal it. This is also helpful if you have a sore throat in the morning from refluxing.
On the protection end, both substances are high in sugar and when acid that is refluxed comes up to that the sugar will neutralize it and it will not longer be a problem at that point.

I would also look to putting Cinnamon and Ginger in you diet, they have been know to help with digestion and will help you reduce the amount of acid needed to brake down food, therefore causing you to reflux less.

There is an increased risk of CA when you have GERD. You will decrease your risks if your GERD is treated and under control. (Taking proton pump inhibitors such as Aciphex or Protonix....) These meds control the acid production in your stomach and lessen the chance of damage to your lining, scar tissue and cell mutation due to the scar build up.

There is a difference between GERD and just plain old occasional heartburn or acid reflux. GERD is persistant and chronic, not occasional. Tums is not an effective long term treatment for GERD. You need prescription meds for that.


EDIT...

I did some more research (hence, my name). I found one study that states that GERD medication can, in fact, cause esophageal cancer. I found more that stated otherwise. This is the only one I found that stated a likelihood statistic. http://patient-health-education.suite101...

Worrying about getting cancer will just do you more harm psychologically. You have to live your life as if there were no tomorrow and live it to your fullest. Don't LET this control your life. Educate yourself. Google is a great place to start. Don't obsess about it though, because there probably isn't that much you can do except to eat healthy and eat right. Stay away from acidic foods that increase your heartburn. Stay away from fried and fatty foods.

Look at all the breast cancer survivors out there. They get cancer....which used to be a death sentence. They fight it and try to stay strong. Hopefully they beat it and then they are stronger for it in the long run.

With GERD, you have to watch what you eat. The cancer seems to be linked with either the acid in the stomach or the bile that is secreted from the liver...depending on what study you choose to believe at this time. The link I put in here talks about diet as well.

Sorry I couldn't help more.
Good Luck.