Common Questions: GERD
What are the symptoms of GERD?
What are the main causes of GERD?
Is GERD a serious health problem?
How do you get rid of GERD?
Common Questions: Colon and Rectal (Colorectal) Cancer
What are the early warning signs of colorectal cancer?
How long does it take for colorectal cancer to develop?
Are colon cancer, rectal cancer, and colorectal cancer all the same?
Can you die from colorectal cancer?
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Common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include frequent heartburn, regurgitating your stomach’s contents into the esophagus, and having a sore throat or irritated feeling in your esophagus.
Most cases of colorectal cancer begin as a polyp, and it may take as long as 10 to 15 years to become cancerous. For this reason, regular screening to identify and remove polyps is the best way to prevent colon cancer.
Risk factors for GERD include being pregnant, being overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol, drinking caffeinated or carbonated drinks, eating large meals, eating before going to bed, lying flat after eating, taking certain medications, and eating certain foods, such as spicy or fried foods, chocolate, citrus fruits, onions, peppermint, or tomato.
Colon cancer begins in the colon and rectal cancer begins in the rectum, but both areas are part of the digestive system. Because of this, cancers that occur in either area are sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer.
GERD is a chronic condition characterized by frequent episodes of acid reflux. If left untreated, GERD can cause inflammation, ulcers, and precancerous changes in your esophagus.
Blood in the stool, a change in bowel habits marked by constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, abdominal pain, bloating, and weight loss are among the early signs of colon cancer.
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Lifestyle changes to treat GERD include eliminating or avoiding certain foods, eating smaller meals, and not lying down within a couple of hours after eating. Over-the-counter drugs range from antacids, which offer quick but mild relief, to proton pump inhibitors, which effectively suppress stomach acid and help heal your esophagus.
Yes. The odds of survival are highest for colorectal cancers caught at an early stage. For example, localized colorectal cancer that has not spread outside the colon or rectum has a 90 percent five-year survival rate, while those cancers that have spread to nearby or distant organs have 75 percent and 14 percent five-year survival rates, respectively.
