What complications can gastroesophageal reflux cause?
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of Surgery, Phuong Dong General Hospital, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause some complications such as:
Esophagitis
Esophagitis is a common complication of GERD. When stomach acid refluxes many times and for a long time, the esophageal mucosa can be irritated, damaged, causing inflammation, swelling and ulcers. Symptoms include:
Burning pain in the chest and throat, especially when swallowing.
Difficulty swallowing or feeling food stuck in the esophagus.
Nausea and vomiting.
If left untreated, esophagitis can progress severely, causing ulcers and bleeding, increasing the risk of anemia due to prolonged blood loss.
Esophageal ulcer
Esophageal ulcers occur when the esophageal mucosa is severely damaged due to prolonged contact with stomach acid. Ulcers can cause bleeding and pain when swallowing. Patients often feel:
Chest tightness or intense burning.
Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing, even when drinking water.
You may vomit blood or see blood in the stool, making the stool black.
Esophageal ulcers are not only painful but can also lead to esophageal stenosis if not treated promptly.
Esophageal stricture
When inflammation and esophageal ulcers persist, the body may form scar tissue in the damaged area. Scar tissue narrows the esophageal lumen, making swallowing difficult.
Esophageal stricture often causes a feeling of food stuck, difficulty swallowing, or pain when swallowing. This condition affects the quality of life and can increase the risk of malnutrition because patients cannot eat adequately.
Barrett's esophagus
Barrett's esophagus is a notable complication of GERD and increases the risk of esophageal cancer. When the esophageal mucosa is prolongedly damaged by stomach acid, esophageal lining cells may change their structure, becoming similar to cells in the intestines.
Barrett's esophagus is at risk of developing into cancer, so it needs to be monitored and treated appropriately. This condition usually has no obvious symptoms other than GERD manifestations. Therefore, endoscopic detection and periodic monitoring play an important role in risk control.
Esophageal cancer
Prolonged GERD, especially when leading to Barrett's esophagus, can increase the risk of esophageal cancer, including adenocarcinoma.
Symptoms of esophageal cancer include:
Difficult to swallow, even difficult to swallow liquid food.
Unexplained weight loss.
Chest pain or tightness.
Dry cough and prolonged hoarseness.
Esophageal cancer is often difficult to detect at an early stage due to unclear initial symptoms. Therefore, proper GERD monitoring and treatment, especially in people with Barrett's esophagus, plays an important role in controlling the risk of complications.
Inhaled acid pneumonia
In some cases, gastric juice can reflow into the throat and enter the respiratory tract, causing lung damage and pneumonia due to inhalation. This condition can occur when the patient is lying down, especially at night.
Symptoms include:
Shortness of breath, rapid breathing or wheezing.
Dry cough or cough with phlegm.
Chest pain when breathing.
Inhaled pneumonia can progress severely, causing respiratory impairment and life-threatening if not treated promptly.
