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What are the Symptoms of Barrett's Esophagus?
by Marjorie A. Burke
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Overview
What are the Symptoms of Barrett's Esophagus?
The esophagus is the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. Everything you swallow---solids and liquids---travels through the esophagus on its journey through your digestive system. The esophagus can be subjected to the backwash of stomach acid if the small muscle, or sphincter, at the entrance to the stomach does not seal the opening tightly.
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What is Barrett's Esophagus?
Barrett's esophagus is a condition of the esophagus caused by regurgitated stomach acid that changes the color of the lining of the esophagus and the composition of its cells. These cells become like the tissue lining the intestines, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Barrett's esophagus frequently occurs after you've had long-term GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which is a less serious result of the faulty seal at the bottom end of the esophagus that allows leakage of stomach acid. However, it is possible to have Barrett's esophagus without first having GERD. Conversely, not everyone with GERD develops Barrett's esophagus. A diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus is more serious because the condition can be a precursor to esophageal cancer. The earlier it is detected, the better the prognosis.
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The Symptoms of Barrett's Esophagus
Oddly, there are no readily apparent symptoms of Barrett's esophagus. It is most often diagnosed during an investigation of heartburn and indigestion that results in a GERD diagnosis. A sufferer of Barrett's esophagus may report difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss or bloody sputum or vomit, as might a sufferer of GERD with complications.
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How is Barrett's Esophagus Diagnosed?
Barrett's esophagus can be discovered through a procedure known as "endoscopy," during which the doctor will look down into your esophagus and stomach with a lighted tube that has a camera on its end. If color and cell changes are observed, the doctor may take a sample of the cells so they can be checked for the presence of cancer.
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Treatment of Barrett's Esophagus
If no cancer cells are detected, your doctor will offer you tips on how to help heal the damage and avoid worsening the condition. Treatment includes one class of drugs that includes Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid or another class that includes Pepcid AC, Tagamet and Zantac75.
Your doctor will also suggest dietary changes, including changes in the use of alcohol, coffee and aggravating foods, losing excess weight, sleeping with your head elevated and cessation of smoking.
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Warning
Because Barrett's esophagus can lead to cancer, you should not ignore persistent heartburn, acid indigestion and discomfort after eating, possibly accompanied by a sour taste in your mouth, difficulty swallowing or the sensation of a lump in your throat. If these symptoms occur more than twice a week, see your doctor promptly. It is more likely that you will have GERD than Barrett's esophagus because it is uncommon, but it is very important to rule it out.
