👉Acid Reflux – 6 Fatal Consequences👈
Overview
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs
when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and
stomach (esophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of
your esophagus.
Many
people experience acid reflux from time to time. However, when acid reflux
happens repeatedly over time, it can cause GERD.
Most
people are able to manage the discomfort of GERD with
lifestyle changes and medications. And though it's uncommon, some may need
surgery to ease symptoms.
Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:
- A burning sensation of your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might be worse at night or while lying down
- Backwash (regurgitation) of food or sour liquid
- Upper abdominal or chest pain
- Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
- Sensation of a lump in your throat
If you have nighttime acid reflux, you might also experience:
- An ongoing cough
- Inflammation of the vocal cords (laryngitis)
- New or worsening asthma
👉Acid Reflux – 6 Fatal Consequences👈
When to see a doctor
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
- Take over-the-counter medications for heartburn more than twice a week
Causes
GERD is caused by
frequent acid reflux or reflux of nonacidic content from the stomach.
When you swallow, a
circular band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus (lower esophageal
sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into your stomach. Then the
sphincter closes again.
If the sphincter does
not relax as it should or it weakens, stomach acid can flow back into your
esophagus. This constant backwash of acid irritates the lining of your
esophagus, often causing it to become inflamed.
Risk Factors
Conditions that can increase your risk of GERD include:
- Obesity
- Bulging of the top of the stomach up above the diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
- Pregnancy
- Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma
- Delayed stomach emptying
Factors that can aggravate acid reflux include:
- Smoking
- Eating large meals or eating late at night
- Eating certain foods (triggers) such as fatty or fried foods
- Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol or coffee
- Taking certain medications, such as aspirin
Complications
Over time, chronic inflammation in your esophagus can cause:
- Inflammation of the tissue in the esophagus. Stomach acid can break down tissue in the esophagus, causing inflammation, bleeding, and sometimes an open sore (ulcer). Esophagitis can cause pain and make swallowing difficult.
- Narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture). Damage to the lower esophagus from stomach acid causes scar tissue to form. The scar tissue narrows the food pathway, leading to problems with swallowing.
- Precancerous changes to the esophagus (Barrett esophagus). Damage from acid can cause changes in the tissue lining of the lower esophagus. These changes are associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
