Barrett's Esophagus
Barrett’s Esophagus
It is condition in which the lining of the esophagus, a long hollow tube which connect the mouth to the stomach is inflamed or damage by the gastric acid reflux. Acid causes the lining of esophagus thickened and red.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus include:
- Chest pain like angina
- Heartburn
- Gas problem
- Swallowing difficulty
Causes
Many people who developed Barrett’s esophagus have a history of chronic GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease. The exact cause is still unknown. Chemical in stomach acid may irritate the lining of esophagus and may cause the other damage.
Complications
The most important and life-threatening complication of Barrett esophagus is esophageal cancer but the risk of developing cancer is low.
Diagnosis
After taking medical history your doctor may recommend the following test to rule out the other conditions:
- Blood test to check the complete blood count.
- Ultrasound to see any tumor or mass growth.
- Urea breath test to exclude the peptic ulcer.
- Endoscopy to visualize the condition of esophagus.
Treatment
Treatment depend upon the severity of the disease and the health of the patient. Treatment option include:
- Endoscopy monitoring of your esophagus to check the extent of disease progression.
- Medication to treat the GERD.
- Cryotherapy to destroy the metaplastic cells.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Lifestyle will help you to cope up with your symptoms:
- Avoid spicy food
- Drink more water
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Maintain a healthy weight