HERE’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FAIL TO TREAT ACID REFLUX IN A TIMELY MANNER

GERD, if left untreated, can over time go beyond being plain irritating and lead to dangerous complications such as an ulcer, erosive esophagitis or Barrett’s esophagus.

You have to take the necessary steps to prevent or limit the impact of GERD’s potential complications on your health.

Did you know that the sinuses and middle ears can also be affected by acid reflux? When reflux liquids enter the throat, they have the potential to inflame the adenoids.

The adenoids begin to swell and block the sinuses and Eustachian tubes, causing fluid to accumulate in the nasal passages, which leads to pain and discomfort in the sinuses and ears.

One of the many complications of GERD, especially when the condition is left untreated are ulcers.

Ulcers form when the reflux liquids irritate and inflame the esophagus for prolonged periods of time.

In time and with intense “reflux activity,” ulcers can become more severe and cause bleeding that will require immediate medical intervention.

Over time, when fluids from the stomach and digestive enzymes reflux into the esophagus, they cause inflammation in the lining of the esophagus. This inflammation, which can lead to bleeding, is called esophagitis.

The symptoms of esophagitis are anemia, vomiting blood and black stools. Esophagitis can develop into severe ulcers that lead to pain when swallowing, scarring and narrowing of the esophagus.

Esophagitis or reflux disease that are left untreated can lead to a dangerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus.

When Barrett’s esophagus occurs, the squamous cells (the cells that line the esophagus) change into different types of cells called columnar cells (a process called metaplasia) which can prevent food from entering the stomach.

About 5-20% of people with Barrett’s esophagus will develop cancer called esophageal adenocarcinoma.

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