The Dangers of Untreated Reflux Acid

Special Review The Dangers of Untreated Reflux Acid

Knowing how to modify your diet to treat and forestall acid reflux is very prominent if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (Gerd), because long-term and frequent reflux acid can lead to many serious health complications that, in rare cases, can even be life threatening.

What type of problems can occur? Constant occurrences of acid refluxed into the esophagus can finally lead to inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis). If the inflammation isn't allowed to heal, other health complications can consequent such as:

Coughing and asthma attacks -Refluxed acid can stimulate nerves within the esophagus linked to the lungs. This can lead to a constriction of the airways triggering coughing in non-asthmatics, and can consequent in an asthma attack in those who suffer from asthma.

Aside from acid aggravating nerves linked to the lungs, aspiration (acid refluxed into the lungs) can occur. Aspiration can cause inflammation within the lungs, prominent to symptoms such as coughing, choking, and/or shortness of breath. Continuous lung inflammation can consequent in scarring on the lungs, as well as lung infections that can cause pneumonia.

Ulcers - continued esophagitis can lead to damage in the esophagus lining. Once damaged, reflux acid can break through the esophagus lining and a lesion known as an ulcer can form where the tissue exterior of the esophagus wall has been eaten away by the acid. Ulcers are often painful because they can trigger supplementary inflammation that causes erosion of the esophageal blood vessels, which, in turn, can lead to bleeding in the esophagus. If bleeding becomes severe, a person may need a blood transfusion or surgery. Ulcers can heal by forming scar tissue once inflammation stops.

Strictures - A stricture occurs when the inner cavity of the esophagus unnaturally shrinks and narrows due to the scar tissue of a healed ulcer. A severe stricture can cause swallowed food to come to be stuck in the esophagus. If the food cannot pass through the esophagus, a person may have to have the food surgically removed, as well as feel a procedure that stretches the stricture.

Barrett's esophagus - practically 10% of population with Gerd will create a health known as Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus normally occurs when the lower esophagus has been damaged by continued reflux acid which causes the cells that exist there to feel metaplasia (cellular change). Metaplasia changes the combination of the cells that line the lower esophagus wall, and also changes the color of the esophagus from its wholesome pink to a salmon color. The cellular turn occurs so that the cells in the esophagus intimately match those that exist within the stomach and intestine to help them great withstand the acid exposure. Although this may sound beneficial to Gerd sufferers, the reality is that Barrett's esophagus can be very painful and the cellular turn increases the risk of esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer - Esophageal cancer occurs in the inner layer of the esophagus and normally develops from Barrett's esophagus. Although esophageal cancer is very serious and life threatening, it is estimated that less than 1% of population with Barrett's esophagus will precisely create esophageal cancer. Therefore, while the risk is there, it is minimal, especially for those who treat their acid reflux and have their Barrett's esophagus health intimately monitored by their gastroenterologist.

The complications linked to reflux acid can be avoided by simply learning how to forestall acid reflux before it occurs. Speak to your physician about the best rehabilitation methods for your Gerd condition.