GERD isn't life-threatening or dangerous in itself. But long-term GERD can lead to more serious health problems: Esophagitis: Esophagitis is the irritation and inflammation the stomach acid causes in the lining of the esophagus.
Left untreated, heartburn (also known as acid reflux) can result in a more serious condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. In turn, GERD can lead to more life-threatening conditions – including esophageal cancer.
Seek immediate medical care if you have chest pain, especially if you also have shortness of breath, or jaw or arm pain. These may be signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Make an appointment with your doctor if you: Experience severe or frequent GERD symptoms.
If you have constant heartburn, you should schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist. Heartburn symptoms include: Burning sensation in the chest or throat. A sour taste in the mouth.
Also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), this condition is common and harmless for many people. However, it can lead to more serious problems if it's ignored, including cancer in the esophagus.
The Dangers of Untreated GERD
As common as acid reflux is, it is important to know how to treat it and what could happen if you ignore the symptoms. Dr. Tosch warns that chronic, untreated GERD can cause serious complications. Over time, recurring acid reflux can damage the lining of the esophagus.
It's treated with lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease can be a chronic condition, but it can be controlled. With treatment, you can live a normal and healthy.
These symptoms accompanying acid reflux (or any time) should always mean a trip to the emergency room: Feeling confused or sudden weakness. When the reflux moves/relocates from how you typically experience it. Fainting/loss of consciousness, even briefly.
Lifestyle choices are often a major factor in triggering GERD symptoms, such as heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain. Some of the most common triggers include eating large meals, consuming acidic or spicy foods, drinking alcohol and caffeine, smoking, and being overweight or obese.
Acid reflux occurs when the acid in your stomach, which your body uses to break down food for digestion, comes up through the opening of the stomach and into your esophagus, causing an array of symptoms. If you experience acid reflux more than twice a week, you may have GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
But long-term GERD can lead to more serious health problems: Esophagitis: Esophagitis is the irritation and inflammation the stomach acid causes in the lining of the esophagus. Esophagitis can cause ulcers in your esophagus, heartburn, chest pain, bleeding and trouble swallowing.
Stage 4: Reflux-induced Precancerous Lesions or Esophageal Cancer. Stage 4 GERD represents the most serious consequence of long-term reflux, and approximately 10% of people who have GERD will progress to this stage if their reflux remains uncontrolled over time.
Heartburn may last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. It should go away when the last meal you ate has passed out of your stomach.
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. In 2010, heart disease caused one out of every four U.S. deaths. If you have abnormal signs or symptoms, go to the emergency room.
There are a few reasons why heartburn may increase with age. One of the reasons is the aging of muscles. One of the leading causes of acid reflux is the muscle mentioned above, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Just like muscles in your legs and arms, your internal muscles weaken with age as well.
“Untreated acid reflux can result in chronic damage or scarring in the esophagus,” explains Dr. Lynch. “Scarring in the esophagus can cause strictures, which become more difficult to treat as further acid damage occurs.” Delay in properly managing acid reflux may lead to a condition call Barrett's esophagus.
Acid reflux can cause a burning sensation in the throat and chest. Drinking water, low fat milk, and herbal teas may help manage it. Alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and sodas may worsen symptoms, however. Acid reflux, or heartburn, occurs when stomach acid flows up into a person's esophagus, or food pipe.
GERD can usually be controlled with medication. But if medications don't help or you wish to avoid long-term medication use, your doctor might recommend: Fundoplication.
Fundoplication. Fundoplication is the most common surgery for GERD. In most cases, it leads to long-term improvement of GERD symptoms. During the operation, a surgeon sews the top of your stomach around the end of your esophagus to add pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter and help prevent reflux.
Surgery for GERD
The goal of surgery for reflux disease is to strengthen the anti-reflux barrier. During a procedure known as a Nissen fundoplication, your surgeon wraps the upper part of your stomach around the lower esophagus. This enhances the anti-reflux barrier and can provide permanent relief from reflux.
Difficulty swallowing. Painful swallowing. Swallowed food becoming stuck in the esophagus, also known as food impaction. Chest pain, particularly behind the breastbone, that occurs with eating.
Gaviscon can be used to treat heartburn (acid reflux) and indigestion. The medicine works by forming a protective layer that floats on top of the contents of your stomach. This stops stomach acid escaping up into your food pipe.
Acid reflux and GERD can both cause heartburn and may both be influenced by stress levels1. If you are increasingly noticing a burning sensation in your chest or throat, it could be a sign that you need to take some time to deal with stress.
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.