 [ Symptoms ] i have shingles plus a swollen tongue is there any relationship [ Disease ] sometimes gerd can cause serious complications inflammation of the esophagus from stomach acid causes bleeding or ulcers in addition scars from tissue damage can narrow the esophagus and make swallowing difficult some people develop barrett is esophagus where cells in the esophageal lining take on an abnormal shape and color which over time can lead to cancer also studies have shown that asthma chronic cough and pulmonary fibrosis may be aggravated or even caused by gerd