Many people are familiar with acid reflux. Maybe you had one too many lattes from the Nolan River Coffee House, or you took a new medication with a reflux side effect. The good news is that, while it’s uncomfortable, a few minutes of acid reflux isn’t likely to cause any permanent damage. However, the longer reflux sticks around, the higher the chance that the acid rising in your esophagus will cause damage.
Let’s look at a few complications of that damage and how you can control chronic acid reflux (GERD).
GERD Complications
Some complications of GERD include:
- Throat inflammation. If acid reflux reaches the throat, called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), it can cause soreness, swelling, hoarseness or growths on the vocal cords.
- Esophagitis. Chronic acid reflux can irritate the lining of the esophagus, leading to ulcers, scarring or intestinal metaplasia (a precancerous condition).
- Asthma. Rising acid can exacerbate asthma that already exists.
- Breathing issues. Even if you don’t have asthma, chronic acid reflux can cause symptoms mirroring asthma, like chest pain or shortness of breath.
- Esophageal stricture. If the esophagus forms scar tissue in response to the acid, it can narrow the tube and make it hard to swallow.
- Barrett’s esophagus. A risk factor for esophageal cancer, Barrett’s esophagus occurs when the cells in the esophagus lining change to look like the cells in the intestines.
Proactively managing GERD is the best way to lower the risk of the above complications.
GERD Management Options
You can manage non-chronic acid reflux with medications like antacids and alginates, or through lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight, eating smaller meals, eating at least three hours before lying down or wearing loose clothing.
The above reflux management options may be used in combination with more advanced GERD treatments, including:
- Medication. H2 blockers that reduce stomach acid, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that lower reflux in the event that the esophagus is damaged and Baclofen that keeps your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which controls the opening and closing of the esophagus, from relaxing too much.
- Surgery. We recommend surgery in severe cases. Two effective procedures include a Nissen fundoplication,[1] where a surgeon wraps the top of your stomach around your lower esophagus and reinforces it with stitches to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter, and a LINX device,[2] made of tiny magnets that keep the LES closed, implantation.
If you notice consistent acid reflux that doesn’t improve with lifestyle adjustments, contact our specialists at Benke Ear Nose & Throat Clinic to discuss your treatment options.
[1] Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Nissen fundoplication. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/4200-nissen-fundoplication
[2] Cleveland Clinic. (2025). LINX Procedure. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/linx-procedure