The Sad Truth About Stomach Acid Reflux

Complications may arise from severe and unmanaged stomach acid reflux disease. Complications from this disease could be as simple as cough and sore throat or a mild illness such as asthma. There are however, serious complications from reflux that may require intense treatment and medications.

Simple illness such as acid reflux sore throat and inflammation of the larynx are dealt with anti inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, and medicated tablets that can sooth soreness. Refluxed acid pass through the esophagus and sometimes may reach the throat inflaming it. Persons with this complication will experience chronic coughing and hoarseness. The nerve linings of the upper esophageal tube and the larynx can be damaged due to acid irritations. It is not uncommon for people with chronic inflammation of the throat and larynx to spit blood because the muscles may have developed ulcers and constant stimulations will definitely cause bleedings.

Children with infant acid reflux disease can develop inflammations and infection of the adenoids. The inflamed adenoids block the normal flow of nasal fluids and this may cause fluids from the nasal cavity to fill up the sinuses and middle ear. However, adenoid is a disease that afflicts children only and they could outgrow it. Another alarming complication from reflux is SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS can happen if an infant with reflux problems suddenly passes through apnea episodes. Usually the child will stop breathing for as long as ten seconds but if the disease is unmanaged and the apnea episodes happen, then sudden infant death can occur. Asthma and cough are chronic illnesses of adults and some evidence point to acid reflux disorder as an aggravating factor. There is no established data however that acid reflux can cause asthma. People with asthma will experience severe attacks if it happens in conjunction with acid reflux.

Life threatening complications of acid reflux disease include severe ulceration of the esophagus, lung infections, and cancer. Refluxed liquid which is usually highly acidic can damage the esophageal lining causing inflammation of the esophagus. This disorder is called by doctors as esophagitis. The inflammation can be very severe and may be aggravated by continuous contact with acidic fluid. Bleeding may occur in severe cases and transfusion may be necessary in some serious cases. Esophageal reflux surgery is imperative if bleeding has become uncontrollable. Lung infection due to acid irritation can arise from constant aspiration of refluxed liquid to the lungs. The infection will inflame the tissues of the lungs and can develop in serious pneumonia. This complication requires immediate medical attention to prevent further damage to the lungs. Esophagitis, as described earlier, can severely damage the nerve linings of the esophagus and can develop pre-cancerous cells. This illness is commonly called the Barretts esophagus and afflicts more than 10% of patients with chronic acid reflux disorder. The pre-cancerous cells can develop into cancerous ones if the disease will not be treated promptly.