Heartburn, also known as acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a condition that nearly 60 million adults in the United States alone suffer from. It is a very common condition that attacks generally without warning. Some of its varied causes include, but are not limited to: pregnancy, large meals, eating habits, bending forward, peptic ulcers, and many other causes (Lifespan). Drinking and smoking also cause the sphincters of the esophagus to relax and worsen the problem (Tortora). It has been discovered in the past that only a small percentage of those patients who suffer from heartburn will develop Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that is caused by the cells of the lower esophagus becoming damaged. These cells are damaged by repeated exposure to gastric juices and stomach acid (Lifespan).
These few percentiles of patients who suffer from heartburn that are later diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus have now been found to have a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer. Although this is bad news, surprisingly good news has also been found. This link between esophagus cancer and heartburn can be blocked by total suppression of stomach acid, a job that can be done with a proton pump inhibitor, such as omeprazole (Lifespan). Omeprazole’s job in the body is to decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach, that way less acid travels into the esophagus. Omeprazole is not only used as a daily medication to decrease acid produced, it also promotes healing of the esophageal damage caused by stomach acid (What).
This is good news for people who suffer from heartburn and those who have had a diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus. These over-the-counter and prescription-given proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole, could greatly reduce the risk of esophageal cancer. This gives hope to patients who suffer from Barrett’s esophagus, because the proton pump inhibitors could bring healing to the esophagus. This is good news for families everywhere, and a discovery that could lower the risk of esophageal cancer for the patients that are most at risk.
Lifespan. “Pathway uncovered linking heartburn, esophageal cancer.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 October 2013. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131007151833.htm>.
Tortora G.J. and B. Derrickson. 2012. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed., John Wiley and Sons
“What is omeprazole?.” Drugs.Com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2014. <http://www.drugs.com/omeprazole.html>.