What is Severe GERD?
Most people will experience minor bouts of esophageal reflux or heartburn from time to time throughout their lives. But when GERD becomes more severe, it can lead to other health complications such as ulcers or Barrett’s esophagus, which is when throat cells start to mutate and, if left untreated, eventually can become cancerous. To tell if your GERD is moving into the advanced stages, it is important to note the frequency of GERD symptoms appearing. Someone who is having acid reflux symptoms several times a week is more at risk of developing complications than someone who only has the problems once every six months.
Symptoms of Severe GERD
Often times GERD or Severe GERD will go undetected. One of the reasons for this is the most common symptoms of the disorder are ones common to other conditions as well. These symptoms include:
- Gingivitis (Gum Disease)
- Wearing down of the tooth enamel or an increase in cavities
- Constant throat clearing
- Excessive salivation
- Chronic sore throat
- Chronic sinus infections
- Constant bad breath (Halitosis) that toothpaste, mouthwash and other remedies can not fix
- Chronic vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Voice change