GERD may cause future health problems

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02 Apr 2008

People suffering from severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) could suffer serious health problems in future if they fail to seek medical advice, it has been claimed.

Experts believe that millions of people around the world suffer from GERD, which for the most part can be aided with acid-suppressing medications.

However for a small number of GERD sufferers, severe acid reflux over many years can cause more serious damaging effects, the Associated Press reports.

The oesophagus can sometimes erode and bleed, as well as becoming narrowed, which makes swallowing difficult.

It can also in some cases develop into a condition called Barrett's oesophagus, which occurs when a damaged oesophagus starts to repair itself with acid-resistant intestinal cells that are more prone to cancer.

In many cases, Barrett's oesophagus sufferers are sometimes unaware of their condition as their oesophagus is so badly damaged that they become desensitised to the burn of acid reflux.

"You can go a long time without knowing you have Barrett's," Dr John Allen of the American Gastroenterological Association told the news agency.

Linked to oesophageal cancer, medical experts are currently carrying out tests to find effective preventative measures for people prone to Barrett's oesophagus displaying signs of precancerous cells, called high-grade dysplasia.

These include burning away problem precancerous areas using a device called Barrx which allows a balloon to be inserted into the oesophagus lining and radiofrequency (RF) energy to be beamed straight into it.

Recent guidelines issued by the American College of Gastroenterology recommended that a standard form of treatment which cuts out parts of the oesophagus to stop high-grade dysplasia from turning into cancer should be avoided.

Click here to learn more about reflux disease ADNFCR-1528-ID-18531382-ADNFCR

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