Often people ignore heartburn or frequent acidity, considering it to be a minor problem. But if this problem persists for a long time or some other symptoms also appear along with it, then it can be a sign of a serious stomach disease, even stomach cancer. Therefore, taking such symptoms lightly can be dangerous.

When is there no normal acidity?

Sometimes it is common to have heartburn after eating spicy food. but if:

• Heartburn lasts for days or weeks


• Do not get relief even after taking medicine


• Burning sensation or pain in the stomach after eating food


• vomiting or nausea persists

So this is not just acidity, it can be a sign of some serious problem.

Possible symptoms to stomach cancer

The initial symptoms of stomach cancer often look like normal stomach problems, so people ignore them. These include:

• frequent heartburn or indigestion


• loss of appetite


• sudden weight loss


• stomach pain or heaviness


• blood in vomit or black stool


• weakness and fatigue

If any of these symptoms persist for a long time, it is important to consult a doctor.

Due to which reasons the risk increases?

The risk of stomach cancer may increase due to:

• excessive fried and processed food


• smoking and alcohol consumption


• long term acidity problem


• Bacterial infection in the stomach (such as H. pylori)


• History of cancer in the family

What to do for protection?

• Avoid too spicy and junk food


• Stay away from smoking and alcohol


• Eat more green vegetables and fruits


• Eat food on time and do not eat heavy food late at night


• If you have frequent acidity, consult a doctor instead of taking medicine yourself.

When to see a doctor?

If you:

• Heartburn persists for more than 2–3 weeks


• weight is decreasing rapidly


• having blood in vomit or stool


• constantly feeling weak

So immediately contact the doctor and get the necessary tests done.

Heartburn is not always due to normal acidity. Sometimes it can also be an early sign of a serious stomach disease. With timely diagnosis and treatment, a serious disease like stomach cancer can be caught in its early stages. Therefore, do not ignore the symptoms and consult a doctor if necessary.