If Acid Reflux goes Untreated
January 11, 2010 by admin
Filed under Acid Reflux Information
Those suffering from Acid Reflux know how important it is to modify your diet to control and prevent this condition know as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but what happens if you choice to ignore or treat this disease? Is there a down side? Isn’t it just heartburn? Truth is letting Acid Reflux go unchecked or untreated can lead to more serious health problems, including in rare cases cancer.
So exactly what type of problems are we talking about? For starters the constant presence of acid reflux in the esophagus can lead to esphagitis, the inflammation of the esophagus. If the esophagus is not allowed to heal, other complications can arise.
Asthma – many people do not consider acid reflux as a cause of asthma, but the acid that flows back up into the esophagus can stimulate nerves related to the lungs which can constrict the airway causing coughing in non-asthmatics, and result in an asthma attack for those who do suffer from asthma.
Aspiration occurs when acid refluxed actually enters the lungs. Aspiration causes inflammation within the lungs, which leading to coughing, choking, and/or shortness of breath. If this persist the lungs can be scared from the acid reflux and which could lead to health problems such as pneumonia.
Ulcers – If esophagitis is allowed to go unchecked it can damage the esophagus lining. The acid reflux can begin to eat-away or burn a hole through esophagus lining resulting in ulcers. Ulcers can cause a lot of discomfort because of the erosion of the lining, which can lead to bleading ulcers which often needs to be repaired surgical.
Strictures – A stricture is caused by the shrinkage or narrowing of the inner cavity of the esophagus due to the scar caused by acid reflux. If the stricture is severe enough food can become lodge in the esophagus. Causing much discomfort and annoyance. To fix this problem surgery is often recommended to re-stretch the stricture.
Barrett’s esophagus – Barrett’s esophagus is contracted by approximately 10% of the people with surffering from GERD. Barrett’s esophagus occurs when acid reflux damages the lower esophagus to the point that cells undergo metaplasia or a cellular change. Metaplasia causes the composition of the cell in the esophagus wall to change. This cellular change is the body attempt to protect its self from the stomach acid by clsely match those cells found in the stomach and intestine. This may sound beneficial but it’s very painful and can lead to esophageal cancer.
Esophageal cancer. – Esophageal cancer develops in the inner layer of the esophagus resulting from Barrett’s esophagus. The good news is that only 1% of Barrett’s esophagus suffers actually develop esophageal cancer. I must point out that Esophageal cancer is very serious and life threatening. Even though the risk may be minimal care should be taken if you suffer from Barrett’s esophagus. You will want to see you gastroenterologist on a regular basis.
Letting Acid Reflux go untreated can lead to complications which could have simply been avoided if you learning how to prevent acid reflux, through diet and/or medication.  Learn more about treating acid reflux naturally by clicking here!
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