Treat Your Acid Reflux Now

Complications

Nearly everyone has an attack of heartburn at some point in their lives. In the vast majority of cases the condition is temporary and mild causing only transient discomfort. If patients develop persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease with frequent relapses, however, and it remains untreated, serious complications may develop over time. They can include the following:

• Erosive esophagitis (severe inflammation in the esophagus).
• Severe narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus.
• Barrett's esophagus.
• Problems in other areas, including the teeth, throat, and airways leading to the lungs.

Older people are at higher risk for complications from persistent GERD. The following conditions also put individuals at risk for recurrent and serious GERD:

• The esophagus is very inflamed.
• Initial symptoms are severe.
• Symptoms persist in spite of treatments that successfully heal the esophagus.
• There are severe underlying muscular abnormalities.

Erosive Esophagitis and its Complications

Erosive esophagitis develops in chronic GERD patients when acid causes sufficient irritation and inflammation to produce extensive and injures the esophagus. Some studies have suggested that overweight Caucasian males with GERD are at highest risk for this condition. In anyone, however, the longer and more severe the GERD condition, the higher the risk for erosive esophagitis.

Bleeding. In one study, bleeding occurred in over 8% of patients with erosive esophagitis (severe inflammation of the esophagus), which is associated with GERD. In very severe cases, the patient may detect dark-colored, tarry stools (indicating the presence of blood) or vomit blood, particularly if ulcers have developed in the esophagus. This is a sign of severe damage and requires immediate attention.

Sometimes long-term bleeding can result in iron deficiency anemia and may sometimes even require emergency transfusions. This condition can occur without heartburn or other warning symptoms, or even obvious blood in the stools.

Barrett's Esophagus (BE) and Esophageal Cancer. In some cases, BE develops as an advanced stage of erosive esophagitis. BE results in abnormal cellular changes in the esophagus that, in turn, puts a patient at risk for esophageal cancer. There are many issues involved with BE, however, including its prevalence and true severity that are unresolved.