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What Are the Dangers of Heart Burn?

It is estimated that chronic heartburn affects 25 to 35 percent of the American population. If left untreated, chronic heartburn can result in several serious complications, including cancer. If patients with chronic heartburn take the necessary steps to prevent worsening of the condition, complications may be prevented.

  1. Diminished Well-Being

    • Frequent heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can have an immense impact on a patient's quality of life. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), "Psychologic well-being questionnaires have found that patients with GERD can have a worse quality of life than some patients with menopausal symptoms, peptic ulcer disease, angina or congestive heart failure." Patients with long-term frequent heartburn tend to have a low sense of well-being due to symptoms, feeling limited in functionality and being unable to indulge in otherwise enjoyable foods that could worsen the condition.

    Esophageal Damage

    • Esophageal damage occurs when stomach acid comes in contact with the esophageal lining, causing erosion, ulcers, and inflammation. Damage and inflammation of the esophagus can cause pain and bleeding, as well as scarring, which can produce strictures--a narrowing of the esophagus that might interfere with the transportation of food and liquid to the stomach.

    Barrett's Esophagus

    • Occasionally, damaged tissue in the esophagus becomes replaced with abnormal tissue, resulting in a condition called Barrett's esophagus, which is a "risk factor for cancer of the esophagus." Patients suffering from chronic heartburn for several years have a higher risk of developing this condition, and treatment has not been shown to reverse the production of abnormal cells.

    Esophageal Cancer

    • Two types of esophageal cancer associated with chronic heartburn are squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma typically develops in the middle and upper portions of the esophageal lining. Adenocarcinoma usually occurs in the lower portion of the esophagus, and can result from Barrett's esophagus. Patients with early stage esophageal cancer may be asymptomatic. Once the cancer progresses, the patient may experience difficulty or pain while swallowing because of the narrowing of the esophagus.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The management of chronic heartburn is divided into five stages: lifestyle modifications, "as-needed: pharmacologic therapy, initiation and titration of scheduled pharmacologic therapy, maintenance therapy and surgery. Patients with chronic heartburn begin at the first stage of treatment and continue to the next stages if the condition does not respond.

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