Acid reflux is an annoying and painful condition. Just ask anyone who has ever had serious heartburn and they will nod their heads in agreement. The issue is that ongoing attacks of heartburn can have long-term consequences for you. Most people simply never think this far ahead but acid reflux is something to be taken seriously as this article will prove.
So what are the dangers of having long term acid reflux? What conditions might you develop if you don not take preventive steps in the early stages? There are two that you need to be particularly aware of.
Barrets Esophagus
This condition occurs when the tissue lining the esophagus changes to a type of tissue more commonly found in the small intestine. This condition does not only affect people with acid reflux but is 3 - 5 times more likely to occur within somebody suffering from acid reflux. The main worry with Barrets Esophagus is that it can lead to a type of terminal cancer called esophageal adenocarcinoma. People with this Barrets Esophagus are 100 - 150 times more likely to develop this type of cancer!
How can doctors diagnose the presence of this type of cancer?
Not easily I am afraid. Physical examinations and blood tests do not provide accurate enough information for the correct diagnosis to take place. The only test that has been proven to be of any value in detecting this condition is something called an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy. This is where a small tube with a camera attached is lowered into the esophagus. If the tissues present appear to be normal then a small sample is taken. Later in the laboratory medical technicians can usually spot the presence (or not) of Barrets Esophagus.
Erosive Esophagitis This is another fairly common risk faced by those with acid reflux. This condition is caused when acid from the stomach flows back up into the esophagus and causes irritation. The symptoms that provide a warning of this conditions presence are as follows:
* Difficulty Swallowing
* Burning Sensation In The Throat
* Oral Lesions
To help detect this condition doctors perform either an endoscopy or a barium swallow. Barium is a chemical that dyes the inside of your body so that an x-ray can see right inside of you and track a problem to its source.
What if you do not treat erosive esophagitis? 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 produced in the stomach and allow you to lead a normal life.
As you can see acid reflux is not just about having annoying heartburn. It can be far more serious than that; sometimes with life-threatening consequences.
