Have you ever experienced a painful burning sensation in the chest or heartburn? If yes, it is possible that it is a mild heartburn or a short-term digestive upset that can go away on its own, however if you experience the same thing on a daily basis and ignore the symptoms, it can lead to uncontrollable heartburn, which is common sign of disease refluxE, according to the “Times of India” website.
What is GERD? How is it recognized so early?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter, which contains food and acids within the stomach, does not work properly.
Normally the ring of muscle remains closed and keeps covering the upper part of the stomach only when you swallow food, it opens, allowing the food to pass through.
GERD occurs when the sphincter opens even when you haven’t swallowed anything, allowing stomach content and digestive acids to flow back into the ring that connects the mouth to the stomach called the esophagus, causing irritation.
The warning sign of GERD is acid reflux or heartburn. However, it is not serious until you experience symptoms more than twice a week.
Other symptoms include:
– nausea
– vomiting
Difficulty swallowing
Bad breath
– Source
Sore throat or hoarse voice
What happens if you don’t treat GERD?
Untreated GERD can lead to many long-term complications because over time stomach acid refluxes damage the tissues lining the esophagus, causing inflammation and pain.
In adults, untreated GERD can cause permanent damage to the esophagus, leading to many other health complications.
esophagitis
When stomach content and acids are repeatedly pushed into the esophagus, this can irritate the delicate lining of the esophagus, causing long-term damage and injury.
This can lead to a painful inflammation called esophagitis. This condition can cause ulcers in the esophagus, leading to further complications such as chest pain, bleeding, heartburn, difficulty swallowing food, and more.
Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer risk
The American Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states that only a small percentage of people with GERD develop Barrett’s esophagus, with an average age of 55 years and it is most common in men.
Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that occurs in people with persistent, long-term GERD that is the result of damage from acid reflux that leads to changes in the cells in the lining of the esophagus. The condition is also a major risk factor for esophageal cancer.
There are two types of esophageal cancer: adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
While an adenoma develops in the lower part of the esophagus, squamous cell carcinoma starts from the cells in the lining of the esophagus. The latter form of cancer affects the upper and middle part of the esophagus.
Risk factors for Barrett’s esophagus include chronic GERD, obesity, smoking, and eating a large meal with high-fat and processed foods.
esophageal narrowing
Continued damage to the esophagus can lead to scarring, also known as strictures, which can cause the esophagus to narrow. This in turn can make swallowing foods difficult and can prevent foods and drinks from reaching the stomach.
Respiratory complications
GERD can also lead to asthma.
During acid reflux, when acid flows from the stomach into the esophagus, small amounts of acid may also end up in the mouth and be inhaled, causing airway inflammation. The irritation can then lead to asthma attacks.
People with GERD are more likely to develop other respiratory complications including chronic cough, hoarse voice, aspiration pneumonia, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
GERD treatment
Doctors may prescribe some medications to treat GERD however, be sure to consult your doctor for effective results. Common over-the-counter medications include:
Antacids: Antacids help relieve mild and intermittent symptoms of acid reflux and GERD. These help eliminate acid in the esophagus and stomach and stop heartburn.
– receptor blockers H2: blockers can be prescribed H2 For people with chronic reflux, which works to prevent acid secretion in the stomach.
Proton pump inhibitors