| If GERD is not controlled by lifestyle changes and | | | | forks into two tubes; the trachea, which is the |
| diet modifications, acid reflux disease could lead to | | | | air-pipe leading to the lungs, and the esophagus, |
| serious problems for the sufferer. | | | | which is the food-pipe leading to the stomach. If the |
| In extreme cases, complications cause by the | | | | acid washes high enough, it could be aspirated into |
| continuous presence of acid in the food pipe could | | | | the trachea, reach the lungs, and cause inflammation |
| eventually become the life-threatening condition | | | | and permanent damage. This could result in |
| known as Barretts Esophagus. | | | | hoarseness, laryngitis, choking, coughing and difficulty |
| Constant burning and erosion of the walls of the | | | | in breathing. |
| esophagus is a chronic disease which might create a | | | | - Barrett's esophagus. Finally, barretts esophagus. Due |
| domino effect leading to a number of painful | | | | to the ongoing invasion of digestive fluids in the lower |
| malady's. | | | | esophagus, the body might attempt a system of |
| Complications leading to Barrett's Esophagus | | | | damage control, which could lead to the onset of |
| The first sign of this life-threatening cycle is a | | | | cancer. |
| condition known as "esophagitis". | | | | Dysplasia - The Seeds of Cancer |
| If this condition is not accurately diagnosed and | | | | In order to withstand the onslaught of acid, the walls |
| treated, multiple problems could develop, including | | | | of the esophagus undergo a cellular change know as |
| Barretts esophagus. | | | | dysplasia, (sometimes referred to as metaplasia). |
| Here is a list of possible complications: | | | | This is where the body replaces normal cells with |
| - Pain. Esophagitis is a painful condition that could lead | | | | precancerous abnormal cells resembling those of the |
| to dysphagia. This condition makes it almost | | | | stomach and intestinal lining. |
| impossible to swallow. | | | | This stage is known as 'low grade dysplasia'. |
| - Scarring. Continuous onslaught of acids causes | | | | Although these rogue cells are more resistant to acid |
| longitudinal scarring to the walls of the esophagus, | | | | attack, in five to ten percent of patients, they |
| particularly where it joins the stomach. This could | | | | eventually lose their tissue identity and revert back |
| cause the opening to pucker and shrink. This | | | | to a primitive form that grows rapidly without |
| shrinkage creates a srticture thereby blocking the | | | | regulation. |
| passage of food and making it difficult to swallow. | | | | The final stage is is 'high grade dysplasia', a condition |
| - Ulcers. Lesions known as ulcers form on the | | | | known as 'carcinoma in situe'. |
| weakened walls of the esophagus causing further | | | | This particular form of cancer remains localized and |
| scarring. These scars also pucker and tend to shrink | | | | does not invade past the basement membrane into |
| the lining, leading to the same condition described | | | | tissue below the surface. |
| above. | | | | As a result, it can still be treated surgically, with few |
| - Bleeding. Ruptured ulcers can bleed profusely. On | | | | risks of it spreading to other parts of the body via a |
| many occasions this bleeding has necessitated | | | | process known as "metastasis". |
| hospitalization followed by emergency blood | | | | However, if left untreated, it eventually develops into |
| transfusion. | | | | a deadly form of invasive esophageal cancer that is |
| - Asthma. Acid invasion triggers a nerve impulse that | | | | almost always fatal. |
| causes the airways to dilate. This can induce an | | | | We cannot overstress the following: Every one of |
| asthma attack, which, if left unchecked, could result | | | | these complications can easily be avoided by sensible |
| in ongoing chronic asthma. | | | | and timely changes to your diet and lifestyle. |
| - Lung damage. At the back of the throat, the gullet | | | | |