GERD Complications

Any medical condition when ignored, can lead to severe complications. The same happens with acid reflux. Always treat your problem at its onset. In case you experience symptoms of acid reflux or you have any medical problems, it is always advisable to seek medical help. When you consult a doctor in the initial stages, the complications that may occur are reduced and the duration of the treatment is also less. Patients suffering from GERD usually have ulcers, asthma, inflammation in lungs and fluid in ears.

The acidic properties of the reflux can cause severe damage to the oesophagus lining when the reflux comes in contact with it. This causes inflammation of the oesophagus. When the reflux further breaks through the wall to enter the oesophagus, ulcers are formed. These ulcers are often found to cause bleeding in oesophagus and require either blood transfusion or surgery to correct the problem. Hence the patient needs to consult the physician and give a clear explanation of the problem.

Numerous nerves end in the lower oesophagus. Hence when stimulated by reflux, these nerves tend to cause pain and heart burn. While a few nerves when stimulated, cause coughs. There are nerves which are related to lungs. These nerves when stimulated cause asthma. Though very rarely acid reflux leads to asthma, it triggers the symptoms in patients already suffering from asthma. Hence asthma patients with acid reflux are more likely to have frequent attacks. Acid reflux is highly problematic for those suffering from asthma.

Acid reflux can also cause inflammation of lungs which lead to breathing problems and discomfort. Whenever any symptoms of lung problems due to acid reflux is noticed, it is highly recommended to consult a physician immediately and seek medical help to cure and prevent further damage to the lungs.

As we all know, ear, throat and nose are all interconnected through tubes. When the reflux reaches the throat, inflammation can be caused in adenoids, which are small bits of tissues joining the throat and nasal passages. This causes accumulation of fluid and develops pressure which cause severe pain and discomfort. This condition is generally seen in children since their adenoids are more definite.

Acid reflux is quite complicated and difficult to tolerate in the initial stage itself. Levels of complications and symptoms differ from patient to patient. But all seem to have a great level of discomfort. Whenever you find any symptoms of acid reflux, you must consult your doctor and explain your condition. A clear discussion with the doctor is necessary. This helps the physician to study and investigate your problem. Once he is able to find out the cause of your problem, he can prescribe a course of treatment to cure the symptoms as well as avoid further complications.

Remember that GERD is a chronic condition and can cause a great damage when left untreated. Moreover the treatment is just to control the symptoms and not to cure the acid reflux completely. Hence preventing further damage is always a necessity.

Acid reflux news on the Web

Treatment of silent acid reflux does not improve asthma in children, study finds
Adding the acid reflux drug lansoprazole to a standard inhaled steroid treatment for asthma does not improve asthma control in children who have no symptom of acid reflux, according to a new study. Lansoprazole therapy slightly increased the risk of sore throats and other respiratory problems in children, however.

Treatment of silent acid reflux does not improve asthma in children, NIH study finds
( NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute ) Adding the acid reflux drug lansoprazole to a standard inhaled steroid treatment for asthma does not improve asthma control in children who have no symptom of acid reflux, according to a new study funded in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. Lansoprazole therapy slightly increased the ...

Stomach Acid Drugs Increase Risk of Bacterial Infections, FDA Warns
The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers today that certain stomach acid drugs may increase the risk of a serious intestinal bacteria infection.

Radiofrequency Ablation Helps Patients with Chronic Heartburn (Treating Barrett's Esophagus Prevents Precancerous ...
When chronic heartburn or acid reflux damages the lining of the esophagus it can create a condition called Barrett's esophagus, which may be precancerous. A minimally invasive outpatient procedure eradicates dysplasia to restore a healthy cell lining.

Acid reflux drug does not improve asthma symptoms in kids
Washington, Jan 25 : Addition of acid reflux drug lansoprazole does not alleviate asthma symptoms or the control of the respiratory illness in children and may even increase upper respiratory infections risk and other adverse events, a new study has revealed.

New Surgical Treatment For Acid Reflux
Dr. Dianne McCallister discusses how the procedure works.

Heartburn drugs don't aid children's asthma
An acid reflux drug often used for hard-to-treat asthma doesn't help children with the breathing disease and may cause side effects, a study in 300 children found.

Acid reflux drugs don’t help asthma in children
A new study has found that acid reflux medicine used to treat asthma in children isn’t effective.

Acid reflux drug does not improve asthma in children
( Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health ) A randomized clinic trial conducted by the American Lung Association's Asthma Clinical Group found that the addition of lansoprazole does not improve asthma symptoms or the control of asthma in children and may increase the risk for upper respiratory infections and other adverse events.

Heartburn drugs don't help children's hard-to-control asthma: study
CHICAGO - An acid reflux drug often used for hard-to-treat asthma doesn't help children with the breathing disease and may cause side effects, a study in 300 children found.