Is acid reflux a bad thing?

Yes, acid reflux can be a bad thing. It can cause damage to the esophagus, which can lead to scarring, strictures (narrowing) and Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the normal cells of the esophagus are replaced by cells that are similar to the cells of the intestine. This can put people at an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.