Stage 3 (severe): A person has regular heartburn, a chronic cough, regurgitation, a hoarse voice, and regurgitation of food. Stage 4 (esophageal cancer or precancerous lesions): A person has the same symptoms as stage 3, plus food getting stuck in the back of their throat when eating.
Stage 4 is the result of many years of untreated severe reflux. 10% of patients with long-term GERD progress to stage 4. They develop a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus may progress to cancer if untreated.
Left untreated, GERD can result in several serious complications, including esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus. Esophagitis can vary widely in severity with severe cases resulting in extensive erosions, ulcerations and narrowing of the esophagus. Esophagitis may also lead to gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
If you've had trouble with heartburn, regurgitation and acid reflux for more than five years, then you should ask your doctor about your risk of Barrett's esophagus.
But long-term GERD can lead to more serious health problems: Esophagitis: Esophagitis is the irritation and inflammation the stomach acid causes in the lining of the esophagus. Esophagitis can cause ulcers in your esophagus, heartburn, chest pain, bleeding and trouble swallowing.
Reflux usually peaks at 4 – 5 months of life and stops by 12 – 18 months. Spitting up crosses the line into GERD when the infant develops troublesome symptoms.
GERD can give you a burning feeling in your mouth. It can cause you to have a sore throat or to have trouble swallowing. You may feel like food is sticking in your throat. GERD may also make you feel like you're choking or that your throat is tight.
Over time, the esophagus may become severely damaged, which may lead to a swallowing impairment (dysphagia). In the worst case scenario, leaving GERD untreated can lead to esophageal cancer.
When your acid reflux symptoms are not being controlled by medication, it's time to see a gastroenterologist to discuss your options, specialists say.
Stage 4 oesophageal cancer means your cancer is advanced. Your cancer might have spread into other organs or body structures next to the oesophagus. Or it might have spread to 7 or more lymph nodes. Some stage 4 cancers have spread to other parts of your body, such as the lungs or liver.
If heartburn does not resolve after taking antacids, a person should visit a doctor for evaluation. They may recommend stronger medications, lifestyle modifications, or an endoscopy procedure to further evaluate symptoms.
“Untreated acid reflux can result in chronic damage or scarring in the esophagus,” explains Dr. Lynch. “Scarring in the esophagus can cause strictures, which become more difficult to treat as further acid damage occurs.” Delay in properly managing acid reflux may lead to a condition call Barrett's esophagus.
No, GERD is a potentially serious condition and it will not go away on its own. Untreated GERD can cause the esophagus to swell and all that stomach acid could potentially wear away the lining. It could even lead to esophageal cancer, which can be fatal.
Heartburn-like pain is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but several other conditions can cause a burning feeling in your chest, including gallstones, stomach ulcer and esophageal cancer.
Both heartburn and heart attack can cause intense feelings in the chest. One significant difference is that a heart attack usually feels like pressure, tightness or squeezing—rather than pain.
If GERD is left untreated, esophagitis can cause bleeding, ulcers, and chronic scarring. This scarring can narrow the esophagus, eventually interfering with your ability to swallow. One major complication which occurs in about 10% to 15% of people with chronic or longstanding GERD is Barrett's esophagus.
The mean life expectancy following a diagnosis of Barrett esophagus is 22 years; the lifetime risk of requiring intervention for high-grade dysplasia or esophageal adenocarcinoma is between one in five and one in six patients.
Barrett's esophagus symptoms are usually related to GERD and include: Heartburn. Chest pain. Pain in the upper abdomen.
Barrett's esophagus symptoms
However, chronic heartburn, difficulty swallowing, nausea, chest pain, and other symptoms of GERD may indicate a need for further testing. In addition to suffering from chronic heartburn, other factors that may put a person at risk for Barrett's esophagus include: Obesity.