The esophagus does not have the proper lining to protect itself from the stomach juices. So its victims suffer vicious heartburn, and even permanent esophageal damage and esophageal ulcer. An estimated 25 million Americans each day suffer from heartburn. They likely won't talk to their doctors about it. But if they have heartburn more than twice a week, they probably should.
Acid reflux can cause serious problems.
And chronic exposure to all that acid can lead to Barrett's esophagus, which has been linked to adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer. If the condition is mild, your doctor may recommend you change some habits. You might also avoid foods that promote acid reflux, such as coffee, fatty foods, spicy foods, carbonated beverages and tomatoes. And it's a good time to quit smoking and cut back on drinking alcohol. These help a good majority of sufferers.