What are some potential long-term effects of acid reflux disease?

Cancer: Acid reflux has shown to dramatically impair quality of life comparable with more major medical problems such as heart disease or major depression, especially if it impairs sleep. The most serious problem has been barrett's esophagus (a change in the lining of he swallowing tube) and an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

Esophageal injury: Longterm gerd exposes your esophagus to acidic material. This is injurious. There are a number of potential effects including but not limited to esophagitis, stricture, damage to your teeth, reactive airway/asthma type symptoms, aspiration/pneumonia, "barret's esophagus", and even risk of esophageal cancer. Some of these are "extremes", so please discuss with your family physician.