Complications of Untreated GERD: Esophageal Damage and Barrett's Esophagus

Dr. Moshe Rubin sees patients daily at his Manhattan office Consultative Gastroenterology & Endoscopy for problems like Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Our doctor believes in educating patients so they can make informed medical decisions. 

He wants to discuss what the complications are if you have been diagnosed with GERD and you do not treat it. 

What is GERD?

There is a valve that sits at the end of your esophagus at the entrance of the stomach. The stomach contains the necessary acids to break down your foods, but these acids must remain in the stomach because they are highly corrosive to tissues outside it. 

This valve normally keeps those acids from flowing backward up your esophagus. But it is common for this valve to become faulty, thus allowing acids into the esophagus. 

When this happens, you develop GERD, thus the rising of acids back into your esophagus. When GERD continues to go untreated professionally, you are at a high risk of complications. 

Signs and Symptoms of GERD

• Breathing difficulty
• Worsening asthma
• Swallowing problems
• Chronic cough
• Scratchy throat
• Lumpy feeling in your throat

 Untreated GERD puts you at high risk for the following: 

• Inflammation of the esophagus
  The backflow of acid into your esophagus causes the tissue to become inflamed. You may experience burning and pain in your esophagus.
• Esophageal stricture
  Scar tissue forms to protect the sensitive tissue along the esophageal wall, thus narrowing your esophagus and making it difficult to swallow. You also may risk cancer of your esophagus.
• Barrett's Esophagus
  Consultative Gastroenterology & Endoscopy in Manhattan explains that GERD puts you at high risk for esophageal cancer. Long-term exposure to backflow of stomach acids causes a change to the esophagus lining, making it look more like your intestinal lining.
  This change is called Barrett’s Esophagus and needs close monitoring by our doctor to prevent pre-cancerous cells from forming. We monitor best by having you schedule an endoscope every six months to a year. 
• Laryngopharyngeal Reflex (LPR)
   When stomach acids reach your throat, you develop LPR, which creates swelling, growths on your vocal cord, and hoarseness. LPR can cause you to aspirate acid into your lungs.
• Asthma
  If you have a respiratory condition like asthma or COPD, GERD makes breathing difficult due to the acid irritating your bronchial tubes. This irritation causes more coughing and breathing problems.

Call Today for Your GI Follow-up!

Call Dr. Rubin today at 212-772-1012 at Consultative Gastroenterology & Endoscopy for your appointment in Manhattan, New York. Get relief from GERD and lower your risk for complications by following our treatment plan.