Silent symptom of cancer that millions live with, without realising. When should you visit doctor?
When to Seek Medical Advice
Esophageal cancer, although not among the most widely recognized forms of cancer, remains one of the deadliest. Ranked as the 10th most common cancer worldwide, its threat lies in its subtlety. Often, individuals may not notice any obvious symptoms until the disease has significantly progressed, making early detection difficult and survival rates lower.In fact, as per Unilad, a 2017 study revealed that nearly 90% of those diagnosed with esophageal cancer do not survive beyond a decade.This cancer begins in the lining of the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. According to the Cleveland Clinic, tumors in this area tend not to show noticeable signs early on. Once symptoms do appear, the cancer is often in an advanced stage, complicating treatment options.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or chronic acid reflux, is widespread and typically viewed as manageable. However, experts are warning that persistent symptoms could mask something more serious. While occasional acid reflux is a common experience — particularly after heavy meals or lying down — chronic episodes may contribute to esophageal damage and raise cancer risk.In a widely viewed social media video, Dr. Wendi LeBrett outlined several symptoms associated with chronic acid reflux that could potentially be linked to esophageal cancer. She explained that although many with acid reflux experience heartburn — a burning sensation in the chest — a significant portion, around one in three, may not display these typical signs.Instead, these individuals may suffer from persistent nighttime coughing, breathing issues due to acid irritating the airways, or even worsening asthma. Difficulty swallowing and unexplained dental issues, such as yellowing teeth, cracks, and increased sensitivity, may also suggest prolonged exposure to stomach acid.The Cleveland Clinic stresses that acid reflux, particularly when it becomes chronic, can cause inflammation and irritation in the esophagus. While these effects are often dismissed as minor discomforts, they can cause lasting damage over time.Medical professionals advise that anyone experiencing ongoing digestive symptoms — especially those with unexplained coughing, difficulty breathing, or trouble swallowing — should consult a healthcare provider. Dentists may also detect early signs through acid-related dental damage, making routine checkups important.As esophageal cancer often lacks clear early indicators, understanding the potential connections between persistent acid reflux and cancer is critical. Timely medical intervention could make a significant difference in outcomes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
17 hours ago
- First Post
Craving for some crunch? A guide to maintaining healthy snacking habits at work
Healthy snacks like yoghurt, fruits, or nuts will keep you full for longer as compared to packaged sugary and salty snacks that just spike blood sugar levels but don't sustain for long. So, it is better to keep Greek yoghurt, fruits, nuts, or cottage cheese handy read more It is important to keep fresh fruits and nuts handy for when you get hungry. Pixabay When Claire Paré was a classroom teacher, working in a setting where every minute, down to the bathroom breaks, was scheduled, she brought granola bars, fruit and protein shakes to school so she'd be prepared when hunger hits. Then she transitioned to a job at education publisher McGraw Hill. Working remotely at home in New Hampshire, her children's cheddar bunny crackers and Fruit Roll-Ups lured her to the pantry, confounding her commitment to healthy snacking. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I have the opportunity to be judicious, but I choose not to most of the time,' Paré said. 'I really do enjoy being able to put the time into making something, but oftentimes convenience just has to win out.' The Cleveland Clinic recommends whole fruit, seeds, or nuts. Pixabay Eating healthy snacks during the workday can be challenging. Many people find themselves facing down a mid-afternoon slump and accompanying sugar, caffeine or carbohydrate cravings after lunch. Busy adults racing from back-to-back meetings to family commitments often reach for what's easy, whether it's a candy bar from the office vending machine or potato chips from a kitchen cupboard. The problem with eating packaged sugary or salty snacks to get through the afternoon is that they may spike blood sugar levels but don't give a sustained second wind, according to Beth Czerwony, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic. 'It's going to burn off really fast, so you're going to get that boost of energy and then all of a sudden you're going to get another crash,' Czerwony said. 'Some people just chase that for a while, and they're drinking coffee or their energy drinks and they're eating their candy, and it just sets you up for these spikes and these drops.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here are some ideas for maintaining healthy snacking habits at work. Peppering in protein Foods that are high in protein, such as Greek yoghurt, hard-boiled eggs, cottage cheese and beef or turkey jerky, can help people feel full for longer periods than snacks without protein, said Caroline Susie, a Dallas-based registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Eating a snack consisting of refined carbohydrates, such as a bagel, causes blood sugar to rise rapidly and then drop, so teaming it up with another source of nutrition is preferable, Susie said. 'When you pair that carbohydrate with lean protein or have a protein-forward choice, it contributes to satiety. So you're just going to stay fuller longer,' she added. Czerwony recommends snacks that combine lean proteins with complex carbohydrates such as crackers, rice cakes or fruit. The combination works because carbohydrates raise blood sugar, giving you a boost, while the protein takes longer to digest, helping to sustain you for longer, she said. 'The carbohydrates are like the kindling on the fire, and then the proteins are the logs,' Czerwony said. 'You're going to get the slow burn from the protein, but you need that sudden start, so you have the carbohydrates to get you going." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The crunch you crave Many people find it hard to resist crunchy foods. For a satisfying munch, the American Heart Association recommends sliced apples with a tablespoon of low-sodium peanut butter, pears dipped in reduced-fat cottage cheese, vegetables such as carrots, celery, bell peppers, cucumber or zucchini paired with hummus or tzatziki sauce, popcorn, rice cakes or unsalted nuts and seeds. You can also roast chickpeas, which provide both protein and carbohydrates. For a packaged snack, read the nutrition label to check how much added sugar and sodium it contains, the association suggests. The Cleveland Clinic recommends whole fruit, edamame, seeds, a handful of nuts or a single-serving package of tuna that you can eat with a fork. Pack ahead Bringing your own snacks to work can help you control the quality and quantity of what you eat, Czerwony said. Try slicing vegetables, cheese or low-fat meats on weekends to last through the week, she said. 'If you have all that stuff already made, then it's easy in the morning to just grab it and go,' she said. An afternoon smoothie is likely to keep you full until dinnertime. Pixabay Take along a small, soft-sided cooler to help keep snacks like yoghurt, sliced veggies or hummus fresh. 'Get cute little bento boxes, get little containers, make it fun if that's something that you want to do, because we'll eat things that are more attractive instead of just being in a Ziploc,' Czerwony said. Petra Durnin, a Los Angeles-based senior director at commercial real estate firm JLL, blends greens, nuts, berries, avocado, banana and chia or flax seeds into homemade smoothies, which she makes in large batches. At night, she moves one jar to the fridge to thaw for the next day. An afternoon smoothie keeps her full until dinnertime and less likely to reach for chips, chocolate and sugar, she said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I feel like I have better brain clarity,' Durnin said. 'I'm able to push through the afternoon and work more efficiently. I don't feel bloated, bogged down. It just feels better.'' Occasionally indulge Adopting healthy snacking habits doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself entirely of treats. If a coworker is celebrating a birthday, an occasional slice of cake won't completely derail healthy habits. 'Let's not demonise food,' Susie said. Before dipping into a bag of chips, eat a meal that includes lean protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fat, and then add something healthy to the snack while keeping an eye on portion size, Susie said. 'There's not going to be a perfect substitute for chips. You can eat carrots all you want, but you can't trick your body with thinking that they're chips,' Czerwony said. 'If you want a chip, have the stinking chip and just be done with it." However, a constant hankering for chips could be a sign of a dietary deficiency, and it's worth figuring that out so 'those types of things are more treats than something that's in the routine mix of what you're eating throughout the day," Czerwony said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gisela Marx, 53, rarely gets a chance to sit or eat while working as deputy front of house manager at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. On event days, she works from 3 pm until 11 pm or later. She packs healthy snacks such as watermelon and nuts. She also keeps an emergency stash of Reese's Pieces, which her boss has to replenish if he eats the last one. 'Just having it there is a comfort. I can always have it if I want it,' Marx said.
Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Gastroenterologist shares 4 bowel cancer symptoms to look out for: Persistent bloating to night sweats
Colon cancer is a growth of cells that begins in a part of the large intestine called the colon. Also known as colorectal cancer, bowel cancer, or rectal cancer, if not detected or treated, it may spread to other areas of your body. In a post shared on July 26, Dr Joseph Salhab, a gastroenterologist, shared his insights on bowel cancer symptoms to look out for. Persistent bloating can signal bowel cancer when tumours partially block the intestine, causing gas and waste to build up. (Freepik) Also Read | AIIMS gastroenterologist says 'women's gut health is linked to hormones, immunity'; shares top 4 gut-healthy foods Bowel cancer symptoms The gastroenterologist, who goes by @thestomachdoc on Instagram, listed 4 symptoms of bowel cancer and the reason why keeping an eye out for them matters. Let's find out the symptoms the expert shared: 1. Bloating Persistent bloating can signal bowel cancer when tumours partially block the intestine, causing gas and waste to build up. This creates uncomfortable swelling that doesn't improve with usual remedies like dietary changes or over-the-counter medications. 2. Night sweats Night sweats occur in bowel cancer because tumours trigger inflammatory responses that disrupt your body's temperature regulation. Cancer cells release substances that cause fever and sweating as your immune system works overtime to fight the disease. 3. Fatigue or unplanned day naps Cancer-related fatigue happens because bowel tumours often cause internal bleeding, leading to anaemia and reduced oxygen delivery to your tissues. This overwhelming exhaustion doesn't improve with rest and is different from normal tiredness because your body diverts energy to fight the cancer. 4. Blood in Stool Blood appears in stool when fragile tumours in the colon or rectum bleed as waste passes by during bowel movements. This bleeding can be bright red (lower colon) or dark and tarry (higher up), and should always be evaluated by a doctor immediately. Who is affected by colon cancer? According to the Cleveland Clinic, colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in people in the US. Though colon cancer typically affects people aged 50 and older, over the past 15 years, the number of people aged 20 to 49 with colon cancer has increased by about 1.5 percent each year. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Glitter in the gloom of the chronic obesity disease
Once scorned as a cosmetic lifestyle disfigurement, obesity today is recognised as a chronic and progressive disease. From the altered metabolic derangement in the endocrine system of the sufferer, obesity is deep-rooted in the genes and then fostered by the hormonal dysfunction, amidst lifestyle abuse. Of course, compulsive eating of the wrong foods along with inactivity also breeds simple obesity. Obesity is associated with precipitating diabetes, hypertension, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), fatty liver (now called metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis-MASH), and oeteoarthritis. All or any of these can accentuate the pathology, hurtling the patient into rapid weight gain. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The accumulation of fat around the middle, with ballooning on the waist circumference, is the classic apple-shaped obesity which is the prime cause of insulin resistance. Insulin hormone which is responsible for sugar metabolism is unable to perform its endocrine action leading to elevated blood sugar levels. This then, over a period of time results in cardiovascular, kidney, eye and other complications. More than one billion people worldwide are living with obesity and so many more are on the brink. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp Hair's Rich Learn More Undo The enlightenment to course-correct this abyss of kilogrammes, usually dawns quite late in the obesity curve. Socially cast as prosperity, the plump picture is often construed as a 'healthy' look amidst the humdrum of the uphill economic trudge. This race and rave to go up the wealth and 'success' ladder then often chains you to the chair with improper eating portions of the wrong ingredients at odd hours. Obesity worsens with this bad lifestyle of inadequate sleep with almost negligible exercise and this adds to the honey trap of alcohol, smoking, snacking and other addictions. It is in this regularly seen scenario that the Humpty Dumpty with couch potato syndrome is born. When the nickel finally drops and exercise, regimentalisation, diet etc finally kick in, the patient is already too obese. For the lucky ones, the renaissance works and if sustained in its efforts, obesity turns around. However, quite often, the metabolic mileu within the body refuses to respond and stagnation of weight loss creeps in with a sense of defeat and despair. This is critical to recognise and imperative to treat, lest the frustrated individual in desperation may snap back and return to his erstwhile habits. While hand holding and counselling is a must, the introduction of scientifically proven drugs (GLP1 receptor agonists, in isolation like semaglutide and along with GIP agonists (dual) like tirzepatide) could salvage the despondency. Their use should be strictly under medical supervision with careful monitoring. Having both central and peripheral mechanisms of action, they are given every week by the injectable route — in India, semaglutide is also available in the daily oral form. They do induce gastric upsets at initiation but most patients get acclimatized. As the weight loss chugs along, the dose needs schematic modulation. The benefits of the loss of fat body mass (desirable) and not lean body mass, soon translate into better sugar and blood pressure control. Improvements in heart failure, liver dysfunction, kidney metabolism, sleep quality are "Mota-Moti" visible .Amidst this northward jump in health on the double-chinned horizon of the now encouraged patient, I would like to caution that trigger-happy patients should not take law in their hands and use drugs indiscriminately. Everything has side effects if improperly used. The harnessing of these drug's has the 'good servant bad master' philosophy. Who? How long? More? Etc, should be a clinical decision. Suffice to realise that now, the diseased metabolism can be beaten with a magic wand and the spectre of the sickness can be dispelled with "Bhool Chuk Maaf" These drug's mandatorily have to go hand in hand with lifestyle intervention which is the real cavalry in the fight. Samosa and Jalebi have been outlawed so that awareness of healthy eating can kick in. Natural can never be substituted by 'chemical' and in the tug of war both must be on the same side and not like a seesaw on opposite sides. That's when you can achieve "Zero Se Restart" (Dr Hemant Thacker is a Consultant Physician & CardioMetabolic Specialist practicing in Mumbai and is affiliated to TOI. Email:dochpt@
