Acid reflux, or GERD, can be debilitating and can cause daily pain, poor sleep, food intolerance, and limitations on daily activities. Medications for GERD and acid reflux are designed to control or suppress acid production in the stomach.
Stage 1 (mild): A person has infrequent heartburn and regurgitation happening once or less each week. Stage 2 (moderate): A person has regurgitation or heartburn occurring a few times a week. Stage 3 (severe): A person has regular heartburn, a chronic cough, regurgitation, a hoarse voice, and regurgitation of food.
Although GERD isn't life-threatening in itself, its chronic inflammation of the esophagus can lead to something more serious. You may need stronger prescription medications or even surgery to ease your symptoms.
GERD can cause chest pain that mimics a heart attack. Described as a squeezing pressure behind the breast bone, GERD-related chest pain can last for hours. And like a heart attack, it can also radiate down your arm to your back.
“The presence of a hiatal hernia can interfere with the lower esophageal sphincter function.” The presence of chronic GERD can be disabling for many and can affect many people's quality of life.
GERD can be a problem if it's not treated because, over time, the reflux of stomach acid damages the tissue lining the esophagus, causing inflammation and pain. In adults, long-lasting, untreated GERD can lead to permanent damage of the esophagus.
After someone has had GERD for many years, it can advance to a condition called Barrett's esophagus. “Barrett's is a defensive mechanism of your esophagus,” explains Dr. Molena, who practices at MSK in Manhattan as well as at MSK Monmouth in Middletown, New Jersey.
If the pain is not relieved shortly after taking antacids, or is accompanied by these symptoms, seek emergency medical care: Squeezing/tightening in the chest. Feeling out of breath.
In the worst case scenario, leaving GERD untreated can lead to esophageal cancer. This occurs when the cells at the bottom of the esophagus are repeatedly damaged and begin to grow abnormally.
Symptoms of Stage 4 GERD
Sore throat. Hoarse voice. Chronic cough. Dysphagia (food getting stuck in the esophagus while eating)
Stage 3 is when GERD is considered to be a severe issue that causes a noticeable decrease in the patient's quality of life. The damage to the lower esophageal sphincter is severe, and the symptoms being experience by the patient can no longer be properly addressed with prescription medications.
Long-term acid reflux can damage the esophagus and may lead to a condition known as Barrett's esophagus, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer.
“Basically your survival rate is less than 20%. So it's important to identify people in the early change stage before they actually advance to esophageal cancer.”
People without a history of heartburn can suddenly develop heartburn as a result of eating certain foods, some eating patterns, drinking, and smoking. Stress, anxiety, certain medications, and some medical conditions can also cause it.
Sudden injuries of the esophagus usually cause pain, often felt as sharp pain under the breastbone. They may also cause bleeding, and blood may appear in vomit or stool. Fainting may occur due to this pain, especially if the esophagus ruptures.
GERD hospital stays occurred more among women than men. The most typical symptoms of GERD are heartburn and regurgitation. Contents of the stomach, including acid, reflux (move back up) into the esophagus, which may result in uncomfortable symptoms as well as damage to the lining of the esophagus.
More serious complications may emerge, such as the precancerous condition known as Barrett's esophagus, as well as esophageal adenocarcinoma. These GERD complications can result in hospitalizations for anti-reflux surgery, such as Nissen fundoplication.
Some research suggests that inflammation in the esophagus (esophagitis) from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can take up to 8 weeks to heal with successful lifestyle changes and medications.
People should contact a doctor if they suspect they have developed GERD, OTC antacids and H2 blockers are no longer controlling heartburn, or they have pain or difficulty with swallowing. People should also contact a doctor if their chest pain feels more like pressure, squeezing, or constriction rather than burning.
If left untreated, it could lead to cancer of the esophagus. The esophagus is the long tube that food travels down from your throat into your stomach.
No, GERD is a potentially serious condition and it will not go away on its own. Untreated GERD can cause the esophagus to swell and all that stomach acid could potentially wear away the lining. It could even lead to esophageal cancer, which can be fatal.
Frequent/constant heartburn symptoms or heartburn everyday
If you have frequent or constant heartburn (more than twice a week or heartburn everyday), you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
People who have GERD are more likely than others to end up with heart disease, characterized by abnormal heartbeats, plaque buildup in the heart arteries or reduced blood flow to the heart.
Surgery for GERD may involve a procedure to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter. The procedure is called Nissen fundoplication. In this procedure, the surgeon wraps the top of the stomach around the lower esophagus.