In some cases, solid or dense foods can get lodged in the esophagus. This may increase your risk for choking. Stomach acid that rises to your throat or mouth can be inhaled into your lungs. This can lead to aspiration pneumonia , a lung infection that causes symptoms like:. Treatment usually involves antibiotics and, in more severe cases, hospitalization and supportive care for breathing.
Ongoing damage to the esophagus caused by stomach acid can trigger cellular changes to the lining of the esophagus. These cells are similar to the ones that line your intestines. It tends to affect men almost twice as often as women. People who have GERD are at a slightly increased risk of a certain type of esophageal cancer known as adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.
People usually only notice symptoms once the cancer has reached a more advanced stage. You may be able to reduce acid reflux and prevent complications by adopting the following habits:.
You should see a doctor if you experience GERD symptoms more than a couple times a week, even if your symptoms are mild. You should also see your doctor if you regularly take over-the-counter antacids or medication for heartburn.
There are a range of treatments for acid reflux caused by GERD. Your doctor may suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. There are a few different types of procedures used to control GERD.
Most are focused on improving the function of the sphincter that keeps stomach acid from rising up the esophagus. People who have frequent episodes of acid reflux are also at a slightly increased risk for developing esophageal cancer. Seeking treatment for acid reflux can help decrease the likelihood of developing serious or life threatening complications.
When the one-way valve that connects your esophagus to your stomach malfunctions and does not close properly, it allows acid and stomach juices to come back up into your esophagus.
You have probably tried all types of OTC antacids, but it only helps for a while. GERD is not a temporary type of indigestion or heartburn, nor is it the result of your diet. It is a disease called gastroesophageal reflux disease. When it happens chronically, or more than 2 times per week, it may have lasting complications. When stomach acid continues to get into your esophagus, it irritates the lining causing it to swell making it difficult to swallow.
Symptoms include weight loss , trouble swallowing, or gastrointestinal bleeding, says Dr. In a German study of more than 6, GERD patients, most reported that their quality of life had been compromised because of problems with food, drink, and sleep, as well as social and physical limitations. There are also financial repercussions due to buying so many heartburn meds. Quality of life for the GERD patients was similar to heart-attack patients, and in some cases, even lower than those for cancer and diabetes.
Save Pin More. Untreated gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD can cause a variety of health problems. Start Slideshow. Credit: Corbis. Credit: Getty Images. Credit: Phototake USA. Replay gallery. The antacid goes to work first to neutralize the acid in the stomach, while the H 2 blocker acts on acid production.
By the time the antacid stops working, the H 2 blocker will have stopped acid production. Surgery is rarely needed in healthy teens. During the surgery, the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophageal sphincter to strengthen the sphincter and prevent reflux. Fundoplication has been used in people of all ages, even babies with severe GERD. Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce or even stop uncomfortable GERD symptoms. Untreated GERD can cause permanent damage to the esophagus.
You'll probably find that one of the simplest ways to make living with GERD easier is to avoid the things that trigger your symptoms. Some people will have to limit certain foods; others may have to give them up entirely.
It all depends on your symptoms. It can be hard to give up sodas or favorite foods at first. But after a while, lots of people discover that they feel so much better that they don't miss the problem foods as much as they thought they would. Reviewed by: Jolanda M. Denham, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Other symptoms of GERD include: a sore, raw throat or hoarse voice a frequent sour taste of acid, especially when lying down a feeling of burping acid into the mouth trouble swallowing a feeling that food is stuck in the throat a feeling of choking that may wake someone up a dry cough bad breath What Causes GERD?
This can happen for different reasons: In some people, the muscle doesn't tighten properly.
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