Table of contents:
- When can stomach acid rise?
- What are the dangers of acid reflux?
- 1. Esophageal stricture (esophagus)
- 2. Esophagitis
- 3. Esophageal Barrett
- 4.Cancer of the esophagus (esophagus)
Increased stomach acid is often touted as the mastermind of the causes of ulcers and GERD. In fact, this doesn't always lead to serious conditions. However, if it has been going on for a long time, aka chronic, it is possible that the increase in stomach acid can cause bad health hazards. Check out the further explanation below.
When can stomach acid rise?
Increase in stomach acid is the backflow or rise of stomach acid, from the digestive system to the esophagus (esophagus). This condition is also known as acid reflux, which is closely associated with GERD and gastritis.
The esophagus is a long, hollow tube that runs from the throat to the stomach. The function of the esophagus is to drain food that enters through the mouth and carry it into the digestive system.
When the stomach acid rises, you will usually feel a burning sensation in the middle of the chest and throat. The back of the mouth also usually feels like tingling, especially after eating spicy food and large portions.
Yes, most cases of acid reflux do occur after eating too much, eating trigger foods or abstinence, and lying down immediately after eating.
Actually reflux of stomach acid can occur at any time, but the complaints most often appear at night. Although stomach acid rarely causes serious or dangerous conditions, you are still advised not to ignore the symptoms.
The reason is, of course there is a risk of danger if stomach acid reflux has been suffered for a long time (chronic).
What are the dangers of acid reflux?
Do not be underestimated when you have had a prolonged acid reflux, which often goes away and recurs. It is not impossible, this condition of stomach acid can cause danger and lead to other more serious medical conditions.
The following are possible serious problems that will arise if stomach acid has been around for a long time, and is not treated properly:
1. Esophageal stricture (esophagus)
One of the serious conditions and dangers of chronic acid reflux is esophageal stricture. Esophageal or esophageal stricture is damage to the lining of the esophagus, due to irritation due to increased stomach acid.
This damage then results in the formation of scar tissue, thus making the esophageal cavity narrow. Esophageal stricture is not a sign of cancer.
However, this condition can cause several problems. Starting from pain when swallowing, difficulty swallowing, increasing the likelihood of choking, to food stuck and blocked in the esophagus.
As a result, food is usually more difficult to get into the digestive system.
2. Esophagitis
Esophagitis is inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, as a complication of acid reflux which is already classified as severe. That is why it is important to treat stomach acid as early as possible, because it can have quite a dangerous impact.
Esophagitis can cause bleeding, sores, and irritation of the esophagus. In addition, the presence of a wound will also make the esophagus narrow. This condition then causes chronic scarring of the lining of the esophagus.
All of these things, which in turn lead to complications because it makes it difficult for you to swallow food and drinks. You will also feel pain or soreness when swallowing food, even food may get stuck in the esophagus.
Other symptoms of esophagitis include:
- Pain or pain in the chest, especially behind the breastbone that gets worse when eating.
- Chest pain like burning (heartburn).
- Sore throat.
- Decreased appetite.
3. Esophageal Barrett
Esophageal diarrhea is a condition when cells in the lining of the esophagus are damaged as a result of the danger of a continuous increase in stomach acid. As a result, the lining of the esophagus is damaged and changes to resemble a series of cells lining the intestinal wall in the digestive system.
Like esophagitis, esophageal diarrhea does not just happen. The chances of developing esophageal diarrhea will be even greater when you have experienced stomach acid complaints for a long or chronic period.
Everyone who has chronic acid reflux actually has the same risk and danger of developing into a barret esophagus. It's just that, most cases usually occur in the elderly, and especially men rather than women.
If you want to determine whether you have esophageal diarrhea or not, your doctor will usually perform a test called an endoscopy (EGD). This test aims to see and examine the lining of the esophagus (esophagus).
The doctor may also take a small sample of tissue from the esophagus (biopsy), for further examination. However, not everyone is advised to do an endoscopic test to confirm this esophageal barrage.
Endoscopy tests are generally only recommended for those of you who do have certain risk factors. For example, you have experienced stomach acid complaints for a long time, with various other supporting symptoms.
In certain cases, esophageal Barrett can develop into esophageal (esophageal) cancer. This is also one of the reasons why it is important to carry out routine examinations and tests to detect the presence of precancerous cells. Although they can turn into precancerous lesions, they are quite rare.
So, when the presence of precancerous cells is found, the right treatment can be immediately carried out to prevent the development of esophageal cancer.
4.Cancer of the esophagus (esophagus)
As the name suggests, esophageal or esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that attacks the esophagus. The onset of esophageal cancer usually starts from the cells that line the inside of the esophagus.
Not only in certain parts, but esophageal cancer can occur in any part of the esophagus. One of the strong reasons that esophageal cancer is quite dangerous is when you have chronic stomach acid reflux.
Especially if the increase in stomach acid has developed into barret esophagus. In this case, your risk for esophageal cancer will also increase. Symptoms that may be caused are difficulty swallowing, weight loss without cause, chest pain, a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn), coughing and hoarseness. In the early appearance of this cancer often does not cause specific symptoms.
On this basis, it is important to ask the doctor further. Especially regarding the signs and symptoms that need attention, if your stomach acid reflux is classified as chronic.
In the early stages of development, esophageal cancer generally does not have sufficiently specific symptoms. However, there may be common symptoms such as difficulty and pain when swallowing, due to the growth of cancer cells that narrow the esophageal cavity.
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