Burning, belching, bloating, choking, snoring, back pain and nausea are just some of the symptoms of acid reflux or acid indigestion. A condition developed from eating rich, spicy foods and from over eating, acid reflux is a common problem that many people may experience once in a while. There are ways to control it ranging from medicines or managing it with foods. But, when left untreated, reflux can cause a wide range of symptoms and associated damage to the digestive tract. If reflux symptoms last for more than two weeks, the National Digestive Diseases Information clearinghouse suggests seeing a health care practitioner for help. Long-term dangers of persistent acid reflux are to serious to ignore.
Tooth Enamel Erosion
Too much exposure to acids in the mouth can cause erosion to the enamel of your teeth, explains the Soft Dental website. Regurgitation of stomach digest and acids into the mouth offsets the normal pH of saliva and can cause damage to teeth. Soft Dental advises controlling acid reflux to avoid tooth decay and loss of enamel.
Sleep Disturbances
The Sleep Site discusses the problems inherent with acid reflux in relation to sleep problems. Damage can be caused by acids as they build up in the esophagus during sleep due to lying flat. Chronic coughs, sore throats and asthma may be developed from ongoing reflux, according to the NDDIC and symptoms may be aggravated when lying down.
Asthma
Adult-onset of asthma may be the result of chronic acid reflux, reports the NDDIC. Other dangers related to asthma are shortness of breath, a dry cough, difficulties breathing at night, choking and chronic sore throats.
Erosive Esophagitis
Acid reflux can eventually damage the esophagus by forming scar tissue from repeated exposure to acids, reports the Life Extension website. These scars or strictures can cause the esophagus to close, making swallowing difficult or impossible and resulting in the person needing surgery to allow for proper swallowing.
Ulcers
The Acid Reflux Connection website explains that ongoing acid reflux can result in bleeding and ulcers of the esophageal lining. There may be blood found in the stool or vomiting with blood.
Anemia
Due to excess bleeding of ulcers formed in the esophagus, iron deficiencies and anemia may develop, explains the Acid Reflux Connection website.
Other Considerations
If acid reflux is ignored its long-term implications can be serious. Changes in the esophagus can eventually lead to esophageal cancer and even death, reports the Life Extension website.
