Complications of GERD

At the bottom of the esophagus is a small muscular flap, or the lower esophageal sphincter, that divides the stomach and the esophagus. When you eat, the flap opens to allow food into the stomach. Sometimes the flap does not close after you finish eating and stomach acid reenters the esophagus. Most people know this process by the common name "heartburn." While everyone experiences heartburn from time to time, people who experience heartburn often due to frequent malfunction of the lower esophageal filter suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Esophageal Strictures and Ulcers

If stomach acid continues to travel back up to the esophagus, scar tissue will form over time. People who have a lot of scar tissue on the esophagus often have a difficult time swallowing food because the passageway of the upper-gastrointestinal narrows.

Not only will stomach acid promote scar tissue but it may also lead to sores or esophageal ulcers. Known as esophagitis, these ulcers and esophageal sores often cause not only pain but bleeding and swelling in the esophageal tract. Many people with esophagitis have a difficult time eating because these symptoms inhibit swallowing.

Asthma

The Cleveland Clinic estimates that 75 percent of people with asthma suffer from GERD as well. While GERD may influence the development of asthma and/or exacerbate symptoms, the full correlation between the two diseases is not known. Interestingly, the Cleveland Clinic has found some success helping the severity of a patients' asthma by treating their GERD first. If you have asthma and also suffer from frequent heartburn, ask your doctor to look into the current research on the link between GERD and asthma.

Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett's esophagus is an extremely serious condition since it is sometimes a precursor to cancer. As the stomach acid continues to wear away at the esophagus, the esophagus may begin to change colors and start to resemble your intestines in texture. Part of the reason for this change is that abnormal cells, similar to those in your small intestine, form in the esophagus. Symptoms of untreated Barrett's esophagus include pain, difficult swallowing and coffee ground colored vomit (from esophageal blood). If you experience any of these symptoms, visit a doctor to begin prompt treatment.

Esophageal Cancer

Left untreated, Barrett's esophagus may lead to esophageal cancer. However, according to Cleveland Clinic statistics, only one in 200 people with Barrett's develop esophageal cancer. Nonetheless, you must remain vigilant if you have Barrett's and receive regular endoscopies to ensure that you do not have cancer. The main type of esophageal cancer that may develop from Barrett's esophagus (and by extension GERD) is known as adenocarcinoma. Symptoms of adenocarcinoma include some of the more severe Barrett's esophagus symptoms, such as coffee-ground colored vomit, difficult swallowing and pain. However, in the early stages of adenocarcinoma, most patients do not experience symptoms. Thus, you must receive treatment for persistent heartburn as soon as possible to treat your GERD and ensure you remain cancer-free.

Treatment and Prevention

To treat GERD, doctors employ a mixture of lifestyle recommendations and medication. Some of the lifestyle factors that often lead to GERD and increase the severity of heartburn incidents include smoking, fatty foods, tight clothing and reclining too soon after a meal. In additional to lifestyle changes, your doctor may prescribe you with medications, such as proton-pump inhibitors, prokinetics or suggest you take an over-the-counter medication, such as antacids (like Tums) or ranitidine (like Zantac). If lifestyle changes and medicine do not tame your heartburn, your doctor may opt for surgery to strengthen your lower esophageal sphincter and thus limit stomach acid's ability to re-enter the esophagus.

References

• National Institutes of Health GERD information
• Mayo Clinic GERD information
• Cleveland Clinic

Resources

• American Gastroenterological Association