Beware of the Dangers of Acid Reflux, Prevent It Before It Gets Worse
The presence of acid in the stomach is actually a very normal thing for humans. This is because the stomach lining continuously produces hydrochloric acid to digest food that enters it. However, this does not mean you should not be wary of the dangers of stomach acid.
This is because if production is excessive, the acidic fluid can rise into the esophagus. You will know this condition by the term acid reflux or acid stomach. The disease associated with this condition is GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, when the intensity of acid reflux episodes is too frequent.
When this happens, your body will feel uncomfortable because of the sensation of heartburn, sore throat, and nausea that you feel. Therefore, recognize what the risks for acid reflux sufferers are before your condition gets worse. Pay attention to some tips so that acid reflux episodes do not return!
The Dangers of Acid Reflux
Surely, many of you want to know whether stomach acid is deadly or not. Actually, acid reflux episodes that only happen occasionally are quite normal and not deadly. However, if you have GERD that is already very severe, the risk of fatality exists.
Based on available data in America and Europe, there are 36 to 685 deaths due to GERD and its complications.[1] Therefore, you need to know what the signs of chronic acid reflux are as explained below!
1. Erosive Esophagitis

If you are curious what severe acid reflux is like, this severity can be characterized by inflammation of the esophageal mucosa. You know this disease by the term erosive esophagitis. There are several symptoms that you can recognize when you have this disease, namely:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing (odynophagia)
- Sore throat
- Dry throat
- Pain sensation in the pit of the stomach
At least 1% of the world's population has this disease, especially when the inflammation occurs due to stomach acid. In general, erosive esophagitis attacks weak immune systems, such as those with HIV and hematologic malignancies.[2]
2. Digestive Tract Ulcers

Besides inflammation, intense and frequent acid reflux episodes can also cause wounds or ulcers in the digestive tract. You will feel this when the stomach's protective lining against acidic fluid is damaged. If left untreated, the consequences of these ulcers can be fatal because they will lead to:
- Bleeding in the stomach and other digestive tracts
- Perforation or holes in the stomach area
- Stomach obstruction, due to slow food movement
- Vomiting blood
Although everyone can get ulcers, the prevalence of cases in people over 60 years old is higher than in other age groups.[3]
3. Stomach Perforation

Then, the next impact of GERD is stomach perforation. This is a condition when the wall of the stomach organ is injured. If the condition gets worse, this injury can cause stomach contents to enter the peritoneal cavity, which can cause inflammation.[4]
The effect of this inflammation can make your stomach feel very painful and sore. Unfortunately, there is still no other way to treat this disease other than surgery.
4. Esophageal Cancer

Of all the diseases above, the most deadly danger of GERD is esophageal cancer. This is the disease that causes high mortality rates in GERD patients. This is because the cancer cells are very aggressive and lead to low survival rates, even with the help of medical treatment.[5]
Treating GERD as soon as possible is one way to prevent these cancer cells from growing in the esophagus. In addition, you also need to stop smoking, avoid alcohol, and maintain a healthy diet to avoid this disease.
Tips to Prevent Acid Reflux

Surely, you need to know how to prevent acid reflux to avoid the various deadly diseases mentioned above. There are at least two tips you can apply to prevent it:
- Reduce portion sizes and increase frequency, from 2-3 times a day to 4-5 times a day.
- Ensure you fill your stomach every 4-6 hours.
- Eat regularly at the same time each day.
- Avoid eating at night because the stomach's metabolism is slower; try to eat before 7 PM.
- Do not sleep immediately after eating; wait at least 3 hours.
- Avoid fatty, spicy, and acidic foods.
- Avoid consuming caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.
Additionally, you can also drink herbal supplements that are effective for maintaining stomach health, such as Sido Muncul Natural Sari Kunyit Plus Soft Capsule. This supplement is made from turmeric and black pepper which can relieve stomach ailments, including neutralizing acidic fluids there.
With proper consumption according to the guidelines, you no longer need to worry about the dangers of stomach acid. So, don't forget to read the usage instructions on the packaging to make consuming these herbal supplements safer.