17 Gastro Gaffes: When Ignoring GERD Gets Gravely Gutsy

5. Barrett's Esophagus

The mechanism of how long term gastroesophageal reflux disease causes the development of Barrett's esophagus is not known, but it is thought to be related to alterations in cells during the healing process that takes place in the body. Barrett's esophagus describes when an individual's esophageal lining transforms from normal cells or squamous cells to intestinal-type cells or columnar cells. It is thought that years of esophageal damage due to the repeated exposure to stomach acid induces a defensive response by the body defined by this cellular transformation. The transition between squamous cells and columnar cells in the esophagus is referred to as metaplasia and is thought to be protective because the new lining tissues are more resistant to erosion by displaced stomach acid. Barrett's esophagus is diagnosed with the use of an esophageal tissue biopsy and does not have any symptoms independent of GERD.

6. Halitosis

The stomach contents that rise into the esophagus of a gastroesophageal reflux disease patient include regurgitated bile, undigested food, and stomach acids. All three of these components have strong odor properties that are known to linger long after the stomach contents have drained from the area. Undigested food that regurgitates from an affected individual's stomach can carry an overgrowth of gut bacteria that also lingers in the saliva near the throat and back of the mouth. The bacteria and acid that make their way into the oral cavity of a GERD patient also cause an overall compromise of the health of the teeth and the mouth. Poor oral health can also contribute to the manifestation of halitosis in an affected individual.