4 Long-Term Complications of Untreated Acid Reflux

Has your once-in-a-while heartburn morphed into an almost daily occurrence? Eating dinner, usually a pleasure, is becoming a minefield. What can you eat that’s not going to hurt you later? It’s time to seek medical attention. 

At Turnquest Surgical Solutions, our board-certified bariatric surgeons, Dexter Turnquest, MD, and Victoria C. Chang, MD, often treat patients with acid reflux. Just about everyone has indigestion occasionally, especially after a heavy meal, but chronic acid reflux can damage your body and lead to long-term health complications. 

What is acid reflux? 

When you have acid reflux, acids from your stomach that aid digestion move upward into your esophagus and sometimes your throat and mouth. 

You may experience heartburn, difficulty swallowing, intense pain in the upper portion of your chest, hoarseness, a sore throat, frequent belching, and even bad breath.  

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle connects the bottom of your esophagus to the top of your stomach. The muscle opens to allow food to pass into your stomach when you’re eating, and it normally closes when you stop eating. 

When you have reflux, your LES muscle doesn’t close completely. If you’re obese, excess fat tissue places pressure on the muscle. Pregnancy can also cause reflux for the same reason. 

Lifestyle habits contribute to acid reflux. Eating fatty foods with heavy meals creates extra pressure on the valve, leading it to open when it shouldn’t. 

Health complications of chronic acid reflux 

The following are four health complications that can occur when chronic acid reflux is left untreated. 

Tooth decay

Did you ever wonder what substances your stomach acid contains? It’s full of hydrochloric acid, which helps to kill bacteria, as well as enzymes that break down proteins and fats. 

When that strong acid travels up your esophagus and into your mouth, it corrodes your tooth enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth. Your pearly whites become yellowish and stain easily. In addition, your teeth become weaker, increasing your chances of tooth decay. 

Esophagitis or esophageal ulcers

Strong stomach acid traveling upward into your throat eventually damages the lining of your esophagus. You may see blood when you spit or cough. You could also develop painful open sores. 

Esophageal stricture 

You can develop difficulty swallowing from untreated acid reflux. The irritation produces chronic inflammation, which in turn creates scar tissue. Your esophagus may narrow, making eating difficult. What was once a pleasure becomes a time fraught with tension. 

Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer

Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition, and esophageal cancer are the two most serious health complications of untreated chronic acid reflux. Your esophageal cell structure changes and can result in cancer of the esophagus. 

Treatment for acid reflux 

We may recommend special medication such as a proton pump inhibitor, which you take every day. We also advise you on lifestyle changes that can make a big difference in how frequently you experience symptoms. 

If conservative methods don’t work, we offer LINX surgery to prevent stomach acid from moving upward into your esophagus. If a hiatal hernia is the culprit, we repair the hernia. We also offer weight loss surgery if obesity is a factor in your chronic acid reflux. 

If you suffer from chronic acid reflux, call us at one of our Houston, Texas, locations or book an appointment online today.