Acid
Reflux Side Effects
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While the agony of heartburn is the most
commonly associated problem with acid reflux, there are some
long-term consequences that can occur if you leave an acid
reflux problem untreated. In this article, we’ll be talking
about the different problems that can arise should you
choose to neglect your acid reflux disease.
Barrett’s esophagus is one problem that you
do not want to develop. It is a condition that occurs when
the lining of the esophagus is altered to a state that is
similar to the linings of the small intestine. While people
that don’t have acid reflux may be diagnosed with Barrett’s
esophagus, one with acid reflux faces a three to five times
as likely chance of developing this condition. While
Barrett’s esophagus lacks any significant symptoms, it is
often a precursor to a deadly form of cancer that is known
as esophageal adenocarcinoma. |
Those with Barrett’s esophagus face a risk of
developing this terminal cancer that ranges from thirty to a
whopping one hundred and fifty times as likely as a normal
person.
Barrett’s esophagus often affects more men then
women, and the average age of diagnosis for the esophageal
condition is sixty years old. Barrett’s esophagus is a tough
problem to diagnose, as well. It cannot be accurately diagnosed
due to the fact that there are no symptoms, and physical
examinations and blood tests can not accurately determine the
presence of this condition. There is only one test that has
proven to have any merit when diagnosing Barrett’s esophagus. It
is a procedure known as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and
biopsy. A small tube with a light and a camera is lowered into
the esophagus, and if the tissues in the esophagus appear to be
abnormal, a small device is placed in the esophagus to take a
sample of the tissue. Under a microscope, doctors can usually
note the presence of Barrett’s esophagus.
Erosive esophagitis is another risk faced by those with
an acid reflux condition. Esophagitis occurs when acid from the
stomach backs up into the esophagus and irritates it. Therefore, it is
common in those who have acid reflux. Those who suffer from
esophagitis experience several symptoms, including trouble with
swallowing, a burning sensation in the throat, and oral lesions.
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To detect esophagitis, doctors perform an
endoscopy or a barium swallow. Barium is a chemical which
dyes the passage that it goes through so that it an x-ray
can basically see inside of you. If left untreated,
esophagitis can cause intense discomfort as well as
malnutrition and dehydration due to the trouble associated
with painful swallowing. If esophagitis is diagnosed,
it can be treated via medication which can help to reduce
the amount of acid developed in the stomach. This, in turn,
causes less acid to back up into the esophagus and
consequently causes less irritation to the esophagus.
As you can see, acid reflux, if left
untreated, can lead to some serious conditions. While
discomfort from esophagitis may be a mere nuisance, the risk
one faces when Barrett’s esophagus takes hold are great.
Changing your lifestyle and taking proper |
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