What Are the Complications of Gastroesophageal Reflux? Know About Four Complications of GERD

In clinical practice, many diseases are accompanied by a series of complications when they onset. The complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) mainly include anemia, gastric ulcer, esophageal perforation, esophageal stenosis, reflux laryngitis, etc., posing significant health risks to patients. The following introduces several complications of GERD, hoping to enhance patients' understanding of the disease and encourage them to seek active treatment. What are the complications of gastroesophageal reflux?

1. If GERD is not treated promptly, patients are likely to develop reflux esophagitis, accompanied by mild bleeding or intermittent positive stool tests. Over time, this may lead to bleeding and anemia due to GERD.

2. Severe cases of GERD may be complicated by ulcers and perforations. This complication is mostly seen in severe reflux esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus, representing more severe complications of GERD.

3. If patients experience dysphagia and frequent acid regurgitation due to inflammation-induced localized esophageal spasms, these conditions can lead to the formation of fibrous scars and esophageal stenosis over time. This phenomenon can cause persistent dysphagia and vomiting symptoms, with severity increasing as the disease progresses, significantly impacting patients' lives.

4. If the reflux material from GERD is aspirated into the respiratory tract, it can enter the trachea and bronchi, causing choking, asphyxia, bronchitis, and asthmatic cough. If aspirated into the lungs, these reflux materials can lead to atelectasis, lung abscesses, and interstitial lung fibrosis, causing a series of lung complications. The most common clinical manifestation is bronchial asthma.

Through investigation, we have found that many people have misunderstandings about GERD, and even those who have the disease do not take it seriously, leading to delays in treatment and worsening conditions. The above introduction highlights that if GERD is not treated promptly, it can easily lead to a series of complications and pose significant health risks to patients. Therefore, we should pay attention to this issue and seek medical attention as soon as possible if we suspect we have this disease.