Table of Contents

I. Understanding GERD

II. Asthma

III. Erosive Esophagitis

IV. Barrett’s Esophagus

V. Esophageal Stricture

Understanding GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disorder is a digestive problem that occurs when acidic stomach juices, food, or fluids back up from the stomach into the esophagus. This can lead to unpleasant symptoms that may affect everyday life. Luckily, antacid medications like Prilosec or Nexium can help improve these uncomfortable symptoms. Many people may have GERD and not even know. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when you burp and experience an acid taste in the mouth or have heartburn. Symptoms that may also occur can include:

• Difficulty or pain when swallowing
• Sudden excess of saliva
• Chronic sore throat
• Laryngitis or hoarseness
• Cavities
• Bad breath
• Chest pain
• Acid regurgitation (re-tasting your food after eating)

Everyone experiences indigestion from time to time, and GERD affects people of all ages, from infants to older adults. In most cases, the unpleasant symptoms of this condition can often be resolved, but serious complications may occur if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disorder. Read on to learn more about possible GERD complications. [1]

Asthma

People with asthma are twice as likely to develop chronic acid reflux. Over 75 percent of adults with asthma have GERD. These conditions are often interlinked, so asthma symptoms can trigger acid reflux and acid reflux can increase your risk of developing asthma. Scientists believe this is because pressure changes that occur inside the chest and abdomen during an asthma attack can aggravate GERD. The lungs also swell during an attack, increasing pressure on the stomach and causing the muscle that typically prevents acid reflux to become lax. This allows stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. [2]

Another theory about the connection between these conditions may include damage to the lining of the throat and airways. The repeated stomach acid in the esophagus damages the throat lining and the airways to the lungs. This can result in breathing difficulties, a persistent cough, and sensitivity to allergens and asthma triggers.

There may be a connection between your asthma and GERD if you experience the following:

• Asthma symptoms that begin in adulthood
• Asthma symptoms get worse following a large meal or exercise
• Asthma medications are less effective than usual
• Asthma symptoms occurring at night or while lying down
• Asthma symptoms occurring after drinking alcoholic beverages

If you have GERD-triggered asthma or vice versa, you may have to take your asthma medications and gastroesophageal reflux drugs. Your doctor may recommend proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium to limit the amount of stomach acid in your body. [2]

Erosive Esophagitis

Esophagitis can occur if you experience acid reflux for a long period. Esophagitis involves inflammation that may damage the esophagus' tissues, which is the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Esophagitis can be caused by GERD, yeast infections of the esophagus, and viral herpes of the esophagus. You may be experiencing esophagitis if you have:

• Chest pain       
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• A feeling of something of being stuck in the throat
• Difficult or painful swallowing [3]

GERD can contribute to the development of esophagitis because stomach acids back up into the esophagus and cause discomfort. Treatment for this condition depends on the cause of your esophagitis and the severity of tissue damage. It is vital to seek treatment for esophagitis because it can continue to damage the lining of the esophagus and interfere with your body's functioning. Some foods may worsen GERD and reflux esophagitis, such as:

• Citrus fruits
• Garlic and onions
• Spicy foods
• Caffeine
• Tomato-based foods
• Chocolate
• Mint-flavored foods
• Alcohol

If your esophagus cannot move food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach, many complications are likely to occur. Esophagitis can lead to scarring and narrowing of the esophagus as well as difficulty swallowing. Your doctor may recommend Prilosec to decrease the amount of stomach acid in your system. Prilosec will also relieve symptoms of heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent cough. [4]

Barrett’s Esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that involves damage to the esophagus and causes the lining to thicken and become red. GERD may result in Barrett’s esophagus because of a malfunction in the lower esophageal sphincter. This is a critically important valve, and once it fails, chemical damage to the esophagus occurs and is followed by symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation. In some people, GERD may trigger a change in the cells of the lower esophagus, which can lead to Barrett’s esophagus.

Barrett’s esophagus often occurs after long-standing GERD issues. You may be experiencing Barrett’s if you have:

• Frequent heartburn and regurgitation of stomach contents
• Chest pain (uncommon, but may occur)
• Difficulty swallowing food [5]

It is important to keep an eye on your stomach and esophageal health because those with Barrett’s esophagus are at a higher risk for esophageal cancer. Barrett’s can be challenging to diagnose because approximately half of the people diagnosed report little to no symptoms of acid reflux. Because of this, Barrett’s is also referred to as “silent reflux.” You are at a higher risk of Barrett’s if you are:

• Caucasian
• A smoker
• Overweight
• Male [6]

Esophageal Stricture

Esophageal stricture can occur during the healing process of ulcerative esophagitis. Ulcerative esophagitis results in the formation of peptic ulcers in the lower esophagus. In most cases, they develop due to inflammation caused by bacteria as well as erosion from stomach acids (GERD). During the healing process of these ulcers, collagen is deposited in the esophagus. Over time, these collagen fibers contract and narrow the esophageal lumen (the hollow part in the center of the esophagus). [5]

Most people with esophageal stricture only notice problems when problems with swallowing begin to occur. Other symptoms of esophageal stricture can include:

• Frequent burping or hiccups
• The sensation of something stuck in the chest after you eat
• Unintended weight loss
• Heartburn
• Regurgitation of food or liquids

These strictures are typically treated with esophageal dilation, which involves the insertion of an endoscope into the esophagus. Once the stricture is identified, the doctor will place a long thin tube with a balloon at the tip and inflate the balloon in the esophagus. This will hopefully expand the area in the esophagus. Peptic ulcers typically occur with long-standing GERD, but if you make some diet and lifestyle changes, you can avoid these painful complications. [7]

The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.