Lung Cancer Prevention

What type of problems can occur? Constant occurrences of acid refluxed into the esophagus can eventually lead to inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis). If the inflammation isn't allowed to heal, other condition complications can follow such as:

Lung Cancer Prevention

Coughing and asthma attacks -Refluxed acid can stimulate nerves within the esophagus linked to the lungs. This can lead to a constriction of the airways triggering coughing in non-asthmatics, and can follow in an asthma charge in those who suffer from asthma.

Aside from acid aggravating nerves linked to the lungs, aspiration (acid refluxed into the lungs) can occur. Aspiration can cause inflammation within the lungs, foremost to symptoms such as coughing, choking, and/or shortness of breath. Continuous lung inflammation can follow in scarring on the lungs, as well as lung infections that can cause pneumonia.

Ulcers - prolonged esophagitis can lead to damage in the esophagus lining. Once damaged, reflux acid can break through the esophagus lining and a lesion known as an ulcer can form where the tissue outside of the esophagus wall has been eaten away by the acid. Ulcers are often painful because they can trigger additional inflammation that causes erosion of the esophageal blood vessels, which, in turn, can lead to bleeding in the esophagus. If bleeding becomes severe, a person may want a blood transfusion or surgery. Ulcers can heal by forming scar tissue once inflammation stops.

Strictures - A stricture occurs when the inner cavity of the esophagus unnaturally shrinks and narrows due to the scar tissue of a healed ulcer. A severe stricture can cause swallowed food to become stuck in the esophagus. If the food cannot pass through the esophagus, a person may have to have the food surgically removed, as well as endure a policy that stretches the stricture.

Barrett's esophagus - approximately 10% of habitancy with Gerd will found a condition known as Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus regularly occurs when the lower esophagus has been damaged by prolonged reflux acid which causes the cells that exist there to endure metaplasia (cellular change). Metaplasia changes the mixture of the cells that line the lower esophagus wall, and also changes the color of the esophagus from its wholesome pink to a salmon color. The cellular change occurs so that the cells in the esophagus closely match those that exist within the stomach and intestine to help them good withstand the acid exposure. Although this may sound beneficial to Gerd sufferers, the reality is that Barrett's esophagus can be very painful and the cellular change increases the risk of esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer - Esophageal cancer occurs in the inner layer of the esophagus and regularly develops from Barrett's esophagus. Although esophageal cancer is very serious and life threatening, it is estimated that less than 1% of habitancy with Barrett's esophagus will as a matter of fact found esophageal cancer. Therefore, while the risk is there, it is minimal, especially for those who treat their acid reflux and have their Barrett's esophagus condition closely monitored by their gastroenterologist.

The complications linked to reflux acid can be avoided by plainly studying how to prevent acid reflux before it occurs. Speak to your doctor about the best medicine methods for your Gerd condition.