Health
Frequent heartburn may be a warning sign of a more dangerous condition, doctor says
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For most people, heartburn is an occasional annoyance and source of temporary discomfort. But for some, chronic heartburn can lead to more dangerous conditions — potentially even pre-cancerous ones.
About 10% of people with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) will develop Barrett’s esophagus, a condition where the lining of the lower esophagus is replaced with abnormal cells that are more prone to cancer, according to medical experts.
Some studies have shown that among those with Barrett’s esophagus, between 3% and 13% will go on to develop cancer, but most will not.
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When acid reflux becomes dangerous
“Your stomach is designed to handle acid. Your esophagus is not,” Dr. Daryl Gioffre, a Florida-based gut health specialist and certified nutritionist, told Fox News Digital.
About 10% of people with chronic acid reflux will develop Barrett’s esophagus, a condition where the lining of the lower esophagus is replaced with abnormal cells that are more prone to cancer. (iStock)
“With reflux, the danger is not the burn in the chest or throat — the real danger is the constant backflow of acid traveling the wrong way.”
In most people, the lower esophageal sphincter — which Gioffre refers to as the “acid gate” — keeps acid in the stomach, which is lined with thick mucus and specialized cells designed to protect it.
“With reflux, the danger is not the burn in the chest or throat — the real danger is the constant backflow of acid traveling the wrong way.”
“But when the gate gets weak, it relaxes or stays slightly open, and acid slips back up the wrong way,” he said. This “gate” can weaken with magnesium deficiency, high stress, alcohol, poor sleep, dehydration and late-night snacking, all of which can disrupt healthy digestion.
When acid hits the esophagus, it irritates tissue that was never designed to withstand it, according to the doctor.
“Every time acid comes back up the wrong way, it injures the lining like a slow chemical burn,” said Gioffre, who is also the author of “Get Off Your Acid” and “Get Off Your Sugar.” Over time, that irritation erodes the lining, drives inflammation and can change the cells.
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“These new cells are no longer normal esophageal cells — they begin to shift into cells that look more like stomach lining, because those cells can tolerate the acid,” the doctor said. “That change is called metaplasia, or Barrett’s esophagus.”
Once the cells start changing, the risk of further mutation goes up. If that process continues, Gioffre warned, it can progress to dysplasia, which is the stage right before esophageal cancer.
Some studies have shown that among those with Barrett’s esophagus, between 3% and 13% will go on to develop cancer. (iStock)
“So the real danger is not the heartburn you feel,” he summarized. “It is the repeated acid exposure forcing the esophagus to adapt in ways it was never designed to. Fixing reflux at the root stops this entire cascade before those cellular changes begin.”
Men at higher risk
Men generally have a higher risk because they burn through magnesium faster, tend to carry more visceral fat pushing upward on the stomach, eat heavier meals and snack late at night, Gioffre cautioned. These activities all weaken the acid gate and shut down healthy digestion.
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“Eating within three hours of lying down almost guarantees the stomach does not empty, and that is one of the biggest drivers of nighttime reflux,” he said. “On top of that, men often ignore symptoms, or mask them with PPIs and antacids instead of fixing the root cause.”
All of these factors contribute to a “perfect storm” for chronic inflammation and long-term damage, according to Gioffre.
Warning signs
There are certain red flags that indicate when acid reflux has gone beyond an occasional annoyance and has progressed to constant and chronic.
“If that burn becomes more frequent or more intense, or starts showing up even when you have not eaten, your body is waving a giant warning flag,” Gioffre said.
Difficulty swallowing, a feeling that food is “stuck,” chronic hoarseness, a constant cough, throat clearing or the feeling of a lump in the throat are all indicators that the acid is moving upward into areas it should never reach. (iStock)
Difficulty swallowing, a feeling that food is “stuck,” chronic hoarseness, a constant cough, throat clearing or the feeling of a lump in the throat are all indicators that the acid is moving upward into areas it should never reach, according to the doctor.
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“Ulcers in your throat, or even in your mouth, are another sign that the acid is doing real damage,” he warned.
“Another major warning sign is when reflux goes from something you notice occasionally to something you feel every day or every night, or when PPIs and antacids stop helping,” Gioffre said. “That usually means the lining is irritated and eroded, and may already be changing on a cellular level.”
Nighttime reflux is the most dangerous because the acid sits on the esophagus for hours, causing deep inflammation and long-term cellular changes, the doctor said. (iStock)
Unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood and black stools are all serious symptoms that demand immediate attention, the doctor added.
“The bottom line: When reflux becomes consistent, chronic and starts impacting swallowing, your voice, or the tissues in your mouth or throat, it is no longer just a nuisance,” Gioffre told Fox News Digital. “That is the point where the esophagus may be moving toward a precancerous state, and men especially cannot afford to wait on it.”
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3 key ways to prevent reflux
Gioffre shared the following essential steps to preventing acid reflux and improving digestive health.
No. 1: Follow the 3-hour rule
“Stop eating three hours before bed,” the doctor recommends. “When you eat late, the stomach does not empty, pressure builds and the acid gate relaxes, guaranteeing that acid travels upward into your esophagus while you sleep.”
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Nighttime reflux is the most dangerous because the acid sits on the esophagus for hours, causing deep inflammation and long-term cellular changes, he warned. “This one rule alone can dramatically lower acid reflux and cancer risk.”
No. 2: Strengthen the acid gate
When stomach acid is low, the lower esophageal sphincter loses its tone, allowing acid to travel upward instead of staying in the stomach, Gioffre said.
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“The fastest way to tighten that gate is to build your mineral reserves, especially magnesium,” he said.
The best way to do this is to load up on magnesium-rich foods like avocado, spinach, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, quinoa and almonds, and consider adding a clean magnesium supplement.
No. 3: Remove or neutralize daily triggers
The fastest way to protect your esophagus, according to Gioffre, is to eliminate or neutralize the foods and habits that weaken the acid gate and push acid the wrong way.
For people who can’t fully eliminate these triggers, certain habits can help neutralize their impact by reducing acid strength and pressure before it reaches the esophagus.
The doctor recommends cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, both of which relax the acid gate and increase the risk of acid reflux. (iStock)
“Drinking most of your water earlier in the day helps, because pounding water at night stretches the stomach and relaxes the acid gate, making it much easier for acid to flow the wrong way once you lie down,” he said.
He also recommends cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, both of which relax the acid gate instantly.
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Some other major triggers that fuel the reflux cycle include chocolate, spicy foods, garlic, onions, sugar, ultraprocessed foods and heavy nighttime meals, according to the doctor.
“These foods and habits weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, drive up inflammation and push pressure upward,” he said. “That’s exactly how a little heartburn turns into chronic reflux, and slowly causes the kind of damage that puts the esophagus at risk for cancer.”
Health
Microwaved squishy toy explodes onto boy’s face and chest amid viral trend, causing horrific burns
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An Alabama teenager and his family are warning about the dangers of a viral social media trend after he suffered third-degree burns when a microwaved sensory toy exploded.
Eli Blackmon, now 13, was 11 when he saw videos on TikTok showing people putting NeeDoh squishy toys in the microwave in order to soften them.
The NeeDoh, a sensory toy similar to a stress ball, is described on the company’s website as a “gratifying super soft, super stretchy dough filled groovy glob.”
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“I thought it was harmless because an adult tried it and nothing happened,” he told Fox News Digital this week.
“When I took it out, my older sister held it for a few minutes, then I was playing with it. As soon as I squeezed it, it burst and the hot gel exploded onto my neck, chest and hands.”
An Alabama teenager and his family are warning about the dangers of a viral social media trend after he suffered third-degree burns when a microwaved sensory toy exploded. (Fallon Blackmon)
The hot gel caused third-degree burns on the boy’s neck and chest.
“At first I was just feeling frantic because I wasn’t sure what was going on because he was just screaming and not communicating,” the teen’s mother, Fallon Blackmon, told Fox News Digital.
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“My husband is a fire medic and I work in emergency call taking, so I had a little knowledge of how serious it was. That obviously didn’t keep me from panicking on the inside.”
She was not aware of this trend before her child’s injury, she said.
“If I was aware, we would have had a conversation about not doing it.”
Eli Blackmon had weekly visits with the burn unit for four months, during which the doctors scraped off dead skin and performed wound care. (Fallon Blackmon)
Eli Blackmon recalled feeling extreme pain after the injury.
“I thought I was going to die. I kept telling my parents, ‘I don’t want to die, I’m sorry,’ and I that I loved them.”
Blackmon was transported by ambulance to the emergency department at the local children’s hospital, and was later sent to the burn unit for wound care and debridement.
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“With how severe the burn was, they would typically recommend skin grafts, but they wouldn’t consider it for him because of the risks to his airway,” his mother said.
Blackmon had weekly visits with the burn unit for four months, during which the doctors scraped off dead skin and performed wound care.
Blackmon, who is a jiu-jitsu athlete, missed months of training and competing due to the injury. (Fallon Blackmon)
“This was done with no pain meds or numbing, so all his follow-up appointments were very painful,” Fallon Blackmon said.
“Once the wound started to heal and the scarring began, they had to do chemical burns because he was developing granulation tissue.”
“Don’t do it! It’s stupid! It causes so much pain.”
The teen also developed a rash from the bandages, which quickly turned into a staph infection.
“Another issue was that the burn was pulling fluids from his body, and this caused severe lower GI issues for months,” his mother said.
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Blackmon, who is a jiu-jitsu athlete, missed months of training and competing due to the injury. The family also faced thousands of dollars worth of hospital bills, doctor bills and wound care supplies over the four-month care period.
“I thought I was going to die. I kept telling my parents, ‘I don’t want to die, I’m sorry,’ and I that I loved them,” Blackmon recalled about the incident. (Fallon Blackmon)
Now, the teen and his mother aim to help prevent other families from going through the same ordeal.
“If you purchase these types of toys, please just mention this trend and not to do it,” she urged parents. “Even if they don’t have social media, kids in school are hearing it from other kids.”
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Today, Blackmon attends to his scar each day so that it doesn’t cause any issues with neck mobility.
“I have to do stretches and moisturize and massage it daily,” he said.
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“It hasn’t really changed my confidence because all my friends and family are very supportive and tell me my scar is cool.”
To other kids who may be thinking about participating in this social media trend, Blackmon’s advice is simple: “Don’t do it! It’s stupid! It causes so much pain and other problems.”
The NeeDoh, a sensory toy similar to a stress ball, is described on the company’s website as a “gratifying super soft, super stretchy dough filled groovy glob.” (Whitney Grubb)
“Actually, just don’t do any trends on TikTok, even if you think they are harmless,” he added. “Talk to your parents.”
Blackmon’s mother agreed, noting that sharing the story and receiving negative criticism from adults online would be worth preventing another child from being “scarred for life” and experiencing something so traumatic.
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A spokesperson for TikTok USDS Joint Venture previously shared with Fox News Digital that any content that “promotes dangerous behavior” and may lead to serious injury is considered a violation of the platform’s Community Guidelines. The company claims that it immediately removes these videos when they are found.
Fox News Digital reached out to the manufacturer of NeeDoh requesting comment.
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New details surrounding Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death have drawn attention to a cardiovascular emergency that can become fatal within minutes.
A statement released by Graham’s office on Sunday cited preliminary findings from the District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, identifying the cause of death as an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Authorities said Graham, 71, was transported to George Washington University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:23 p.m. Saturday. An autopsy was completed Sunday.
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“The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized, and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death,” the statement said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Graham’s office requesting comment.
New details surrounding Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death have drawn new attention to a cardiovascular emergency that can become fatal within minutes. (Getty Images)
What is an aortic dissection?
An aortic dissection is a life-threatening medical emergency in which a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta — the body’s largest artery, according to Mayo Clinic.
“It occurs when the layers of the aorta come apart and the inner one tears,” Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel, who did not treat Graham, told Fox News Digital.
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Blood rushes through the tear and causes the layers of the aortic wall to separate, which can disrupt blood flow to vital organs or lead to a fatal rupture if not treated immediately.
“It can come on in minutes or days and may be hard to recognize,” added Siegel, noting that while dissections can evolve over time, symptoms often appear suddenly.
A spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare, sometimes fatal traumatic condition that can disrupt blood flow to vital organs or lead to a fatal rupture if not treated immediately. (iStock)
Dr. Kenneth Perry, an emergency physician based in South Carolina, said the best way to visualize the condition is to think of the aorta as a hose.
“The wall of the hose has multiple layers to it, and if the layers separate, the water can no longer pass down the regular opening in the tube,” Perry, who also was not involved in Graham’s care, told Fox News Digital. “Often, this starts as a very small tear that keeps progressing because of the water pressure.”
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“The same thing is happening in the aorta,” he went on. “The small tear in the wall of the aorta continues to progress, usually from severely elevated blood pressure.”
As the tear continues past the smaller arteries coming from the aorta, blood can no longer flow from the heart to the other organs.
Sen. Lindsey Graham talks with reporters in the U.S. Capitol on March 10, 2026. Authorities said Graham, 71, was transported to George Washington University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:23 p.m. Saturday. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“This causes the organs that need that blood to die from lack of oxygen,” Perry said. “The only way to survive such a diagnosis is very early identification and strict blood pressure control with emergent operative management.”
Aortic dissection is relatively rare, affecting an estimated three to four people per 100,000 each year, according to Cleveland Clinic.
What causes an aortic dissection?
In Graham’s case, the preliminary findings cited arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This condition is most commonly associated with atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up inside the arteries, causing them to harden and narrow.
Over time, this process can weaken the wall of the aorta, increasing the risk of an aortic dissection.
“It can come on in minutes or days and may be hard to recognize.”
High-risk groups
Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease can develop over time and is driven by several factors, according to the American Heart Association and Mayo Clinic.
Some of the groups at highest risk include the following.
- People with uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), which places constant stress on the aortic wall
- Older adults, particularly those in their 60s and 70s
- Men, who are diagnosed more often than women
- People with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or other cardiovascular disease
- Those with an aortic aneurysm, which weakens the wall of the aorta
- People born with certain heart defects, such as a bicuspid aortic valve
- Those with inherited connective tissue disorders, including Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome and vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Smokers and people with longstanding high cholesterol, both of which contribute to artery damage
- People with diabetes and obesity
- Those who are physically inactive and/or eat an unhealthy diet
Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on Nov. 9, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Graham’s fatal condition was linked to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“Graham’s father had a cardiac arrest, and if it was from a dissection, it would increase the risk,” Siegel noted.
Warning signs you should never ignore
Symptoms of an aortic dissection can come on suddenly and often mimic those of a heart attack or stroke, experts say.
Anyone experiencing any of the below warning signs should call 911 for immediate emergency medical care, according to Siegel and other health experts.
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- Sudden, severe chest or upper back pain, often described as tearing, ripping or stabbing, which may spread to the neck or back
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain
- Loss of consciousness (fainting)
- Stroke-like symptoms, such as sudden vision changes, difficulty speaking, weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Leg pain or difficulty walking
Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease can develop over time and is driven by several factors, according to the American Heart Association and Mayo Clinic. (iStock)
“Aortic dissection is one of the diseases that emergency physicians think of often when someone presents with chest pain — specifically pain described as a tearing sensation, with elevated blood pressure,” Perry told Fox News Digital.
“We often describe the aortic dissection patient as appearing to have a ‘kidney stone of the chest,’ — meaning they have severe pain and cannot get comfortable, similar to kidney stone patients.”
Diagnosis and treatment
Early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the chances of survival for those who have suffered an aortic dissection.
Doctors typically diagnose an aortic dissection using imaging tests, including a CT scan, transesophageal echocardiogram (ultrasound), magnetic resonance angiography (MRI-based scan) and chest X-ray, per Mayo Clinic.
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The condition requires immediate medical treatment, which will depend on which part of the aorta is affected.
Type A dissections involve the ascending (upper) aorta near the heart, which typically require emergency surgery.
According to the American Heart Association, an untreated acute aortic dissection is one of the deadliest cardiovascular emergencies. (iStock)
Type B dissections affect the descending (lower) aorta farther from the heart, according to Mayo Clinic. These may be treated with medications to lower blood pressure and heart rate, although some may also require surgery or a stent.
Those who survive the event will generally need lifelong blood pressure management and regular imaging to monitor the aorta, per the above source.
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“This condition has a high mortality rate,” Siegel said.
According to the American Heart Association, an untreated acute aortic dissection is one of the deadliest cardiovascular emergencies.
“We often describe the aortic dissection patient as appearing to have a ‘kidney stone of the chest.’”
For untreated dissections involving the ascending aorta, the risk of death increases by approximately 1% to 2% for every hour treatment is delayed after symptoms begin, according to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.
Without treatment, more than half of people with a Type A aortic dissection die within one month. About 20% of Type A patients will die in the hospital, compared to 10% for treated Type B dissections.
Can it be prevented?
While not all aortic dissections can be prevented, people can reduce their risk by controlling certain lifestyle factors.
“You need to make sure your blood pressure is well-controlled, your cholesterol is low and that you are seen regularly by a doctor,” Siegel advised.
Smokers should kick the habit, he said, as they are at a highly increased risk.
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Maintaining a healthy weight and following treatment plans for underlying heart or vascular conditions can also reduce the risk, according to Mayo Clinic.
People with a family history of aortic disease or inherited connective tissue disorders should discuss screening with their healthcare provider, doctors advise.
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A terminally ill man who chose to provide for his kids over spending money on a wedding has finally tied the knot with his fiancé – 20 years after he first proposed to her.
Dean Pennell, 63, met his partner Kay Beaman, 62, through their children 24 years ago in Basildon, Essex.
The couple held off on wedding plans in order to provide for their 10 children.
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But after being told he had just weeks to live, Pennell — who has terminal cancer — finally married Beaman on June 18 at Colchester Hospital in Essex, England, news agency SWNS reported.
The new wife said, “I am absolutely elated. We have waited a long time, and it’s so special to be able to celebrate our marriage here, with our families.”
Dean Pennell, who has terminal cancer, married longtime love Kay Beaman at Colchester Hospital on June 18, 2026. The couple is pictured here. (SWNS)
She added to SWNS, “Dean proposed when we first got together — but with 10 children between us, money would not allow.”
She added, “We were planning to get married this year, but with the situation as it was, we decided to bring the wedding forward.”
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The couple were joined by their family and friends, including their 10 children and some of their 18 grandchildren.
The event was organized in less than a week by a variety of hospital staff members, SWNS noted.
Beaman, front left, and Pennell, front right, at Colchester Hospital, along with Langham Ward manager Lucy Everett, matron Emma Davis and patient flow coordinator Donna Knox. Family and friends are shown in the background. (SWNS)
Said Beaman, “It was very hard for Dean. He had been so excited in the lead-up to the wedding, and I would get a phone call from him at the hospital every morning telling me how many days there were to go until the wedding.”
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She said that “when the day came, he was adamant, as difficult as it was, that he was going to stand up for as much as the ceremony as possible — and we had a lovely day.”
After being told he had just weeks to live, Pennell, who has terminal cancer, finally married his fiancé on June 18. (SWNS)
She noted her new husband “was exhausted afterward. Dean is now back at home, and we are living life to suit us.”
A former electroplater, Pennell added, “It was absolutely brilliant. The staff worked really hard to organize the wedding.”
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Ward manager Lucy Everett said, “It has been a pleasure to be able to help Dean and Kay. It’s rare that we get to celebrate a wedding at Colchester Hospital — it’s a first for me,” as SWNS reported.
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The East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust also presented the couple with a clock — displaying the exact time the happy couple said “I do” on their big day.
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