Heartburn Heartburn Basics

The Serious Consequences of GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is quite common and often goes undiagnosed. But while GERD seems like just a chronic case of heartburn, it can lead to a host of more serious problems.

“For some people who experience mild or moderate GERD, the condition can remain fairly benign and limited to occasional discomfort,” writes Dr. Brian Fennerty in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. “For others, GERD symptoms can be a sign of serious health problems.”

Since GERD is caused by excess acid in the upper stomach and esophagus, most of the health problems caused by this disease are a result of this acid continually irritating the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Since GERD can continue for years, this irritation can keep worsening creating a spectrum of associated problems. These include esophagitis, esophageal strictures, Barrett’s esophagus and, the most serious, esophageal cancer.

Esophagitis
Inflammation of the lining of the esophagus caused by GERD, also known as esophagitis, is so common it is the primary GERD is diagnosed. Caused by changes in the cells of the esophagus, this condition can only be diagnosed with an endoscopy, a camera that is placed down a patient’s throat. Some studies show that those with a higher amount of acid reflux are more likely to suffer from esophagitis and others show that this condition may even make GERD symptoms worse. Since GERD often goes undiagnosed, so does esophagitis, but it is estimated that around 20 percent of patients with GERD also have some degree of this condition.

Esophageal Strictures
More severe than esophagitis, esophageal stricture is a narrowing of the esophagus, caused by the body trying to repeatedly repair the damage caused by the reflux. This condition can cause difficultly swallowing, regurgitation of food and weight loss. If you are diagnosed with an esophageal stricture, it is likely that you have GERD, as the disease is estimated to cause up to 80 percent of strictures.

Barrett’s Esophagus
If GERD goes untreated and esophageal strictures progress, Barrett’s esophagus may result. This condition is caused when the body, still trying to repair the damage caused by reflux, changes the structure of the cells lining the esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is generally diagnosed after endoscopy, during which your doctor can see if the cells in your esophagus have changed. “Although relatively few patients with GERD will develop Barrett’s esophagus,” says Fennerty. “This condition merits attention because it is a major risk factor for the development of esophageal [cancer].”

Esophageal Cancer
In general, esophageal cancer is rare. But rates are on the rise. Unfortunately, the only known risk factor for this type of cancer is GERD, but “as many as 25 percent of patients with esophageal cancer have no other symptoms [of GERD],” says Fennerty. So, people may not be diagnosed with esophageal cancer until they begin to lose weight because they are having trouble swallowing. Unfortunately, at this point the disease is quite hard to treat.

Fortunately, the progression of GERD complications can be stopped if a patient seeks proper treatment. That is why it is so important to speak with your doctor if you experience any symptoms of GERD, such as chronic heartburn, chest pain at night, difficulty swallowing or a sour taste in your mouth. These symptoms may seem like nothing now, but they can lead to something much more serious.

“Patients and physicians must learn to view heartburn as a symptom of a potentially serious condition and treat it accordingly,” says Fennerty.