As if acid reflux wasn’t bad enough, now you tell me there could be complications from acid reflux, say it isn’t so! Yes, there are complications individuals can suffer when they have acid reflux, especially if they have untreated acid reflux.
If you have frequent or persistent heartburn or indigestion, chest pain or you bring up stomach contents including acid up your throat or into your mouth you may have undiagnosed acid reflux. If you notice these symptoms see your doctor.
Undiagnosed acid reflux can lead to untreated acid reflux which can aggravate or create complications from acid reflux including erosive esophagitis which is severe inflammation of the esophagus, severe narrowing of the esophagus also called stricture of the esophagus, Barrett’s esophagus and acid can also cause irritation and problems with your teeth, throat, and the airways leading to your lungs.
The elderly are at a higher risk for complications from acid reflux than younger individuals. Individuals who have initial severe symptoms, which prompted them to see a doctor, are at risk for complications, and those who have persistent symptoms despite taking medications are also at risk for complications for acid reflux. Individuals who have muscular abnormalities are also at risk for acid reflux complications.
Individuals who suffer from chronic acid reflux are subject to erosive esophagitis because of the constant irritation and inflammation to the esophagus that can create extensive injuries to the esophagus.
Severe inflammation of the esophagus can lead to bleeding in approximately 8% of those who have erosive esophagitis. If the individual has long-term bleeding it can lead to iron deficiency anemia, which may require blood transfusions. Individuals with blood in the stools should seek medical attention immediately especially if they suffer from acid reflux.
Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and esophageal cancer can also be complications from acid reflux and can even develop if it persists into esophageal cancers.
An esophagus that is severely injured will over time become narrowed in regions and this is called, developing strictures. Strictures can impair swallowing and difficulty swallowing is called, dysphagia. It can be so bad that food can actually get stuck in the esophagus.
When asthma combines with acid reflux other complications can arise including acid leaking into the lower esophagus which will then stimulate the vagus nerves, running through the gastrointestinal tract, which will then trigger the nearby airways within the lungs to constrict causing asthma symptoms. Asthma may cause acid reflux or acid reflux may cause asthma it is one of those types of relationships where it can be difficult to determine which came first, “the egg or the chicken”.
Acid reflux can also cause complications associated with other respiratory areas such as the sinuses, the nasal and ear passages and also the airways into the lungs. Acid back up can even reach your mouth causing dental decay and erosion of the tooth enamel. You can aspirate acid triggering asthma symptoms. Chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis and pneumonia that are recurring can all be attributed to acid reflux that is persistent. Having acid reflux can trigger or put you at risk for all of the above-mentioned conditions.
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