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Cancer of the esophagus can go undetected for years. The only symptoms you may be having are acid reflux. If you are are experience symptoms of acid reflux on a regular bases, you need to be referred to a gastrologist by your primary physician.. He/She will then take your digestive history. if you have been taking a large amount of antacids like Alka Seltzer or Rolaids, you are a prime candidate to have an endoscopic procedure. During this procedure you are relaxed or asleep while the gastrologist scopes your esophagus and upper stomach. If anything looks out of the ordinary, biopsies are taken to rule out cancer. Some people have the beginnings of Barrett's Disease that show up on the endoscopic pictures. These lesions can lead to esophageal cancer. Your doctor will recommend endoscopic procedures to keep an eye on how the Barrett's Disease is progressing about every two years. A special diet is also recommended to cut back on the acidity in your diet. Foods you should try eliminating or at least cut back on are carbonated drinks, caffeine, acidic tomatoes, chocolate and orange juice.

To get and keep the acid reflux or GERD under control, the doctor will also put you on medication specifically for the symptoms. There are many prescription and non-prescription medications to try. Besides finding one that works for your symptoms, you must also find one that will be covered by your prescription insurance. Sometimes that can be a trying experience causing more acid reflux. Some of the most well known prescription medications are Nexium,Protonix and Prevacid which most insurance plans will not cover unless your doctor writes the prescription is necessary and is the only medication that works for you. The doctors do not recommend staying on products like Alka Seltzer as they tend to eat away the stomach lining.

Should you notice other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, you will need to see the gastrologist as soon as possible. You will also need to undergo another endoscopic procedure along with stretching of the esophagus opening to help your swallowing. This procedure can last up to five years for some patients and only six months for others. It is the luck of the draw. This I can speak of from personal experience. Since first being diagnosed with GERD and the beginning stages of Barrett's Disease I have undergone three endoscopic procedures in a three year time span. One factor that makes this necessary is that I also have Parkinson's. Never let symptoms go unchecked. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Learn more about this author, Carolyn Teasley.
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