What is Barrett’s Esophagus?
If you have heard of Barrett’s Esophagus, then you probably have some knowledge of acid reflux and heartburn. This is medical condition that causes a lot of discomfort and can damage the lining of the esophagus. This condition happens with the lining of the esophagus becomes replaced by tissue that is similar to that of the intestines. When this happens, it is called “intestinal metaplasia”.
When you have this conditions:
When you suffer from this condition, you may not even realize it at first. That is because there are no real signs or symptoms. You may have acid reflux or even heartburn, but you may not know that a more serious condition is happening. However, with that said, if you do have this, you need to understand that this condition may be a precursor to a more serious condition-cancer of the esophagus.
Who suffers from this condition:
While this is not a very common problem (with an estimated one percent of adults having it), it does happen. Usually, this condition does not affect children, but instead affects people over the age of fifty. In addition, men are twice more likely to develop this problem than women. You will rarely hear of this condition affecting infants and young children. If you are older and suspect that you may have this condition, then you will want to make an appointment with your doctor for further testing. If you are under treatment for acid reduce, then your doctor may suspect Barrett’s.
What causes this condition:
If you have been diagnosed with this condition, or you are worried that you may have it, you might wonder what causes this problem. Like many less common medical conditions, it is not exactly known what causes this medical condition. One thing is certain, people that have acid reflux and chronic heartburn are at a much higher risk for developing Barrett’s. If you are currently under treatment for acid reflux, then your doctor may give you medication such as acid-reducing drugs, which may reduce your chances of developing Barrett’s.
Treatment of this condition:
There is really nothing that can heal this condition, however you can treat the symptoms. Since most people have acid reflux, you can treat those symptoms to help. In addition, in severe cases, you may have to have a surgical procedure. Your doctor can talk to you about your treatment options and find out what is best for you and your condition.
Cancer and Barrett’s:
It is true that some people with this condition develop cancer called esophageal adenocarcinoma, however, this only applies to about one percent of those will Barrett’s. Still, you should be aware that this could happen to you and make sure you are visiting your doctor on a regular basis. Unfortunately, cancer of this type are hard to diagnose and sometimes the treatments are not always effective.
Learn all you can about this condition, especially if you suffer from acid reflux and heartburn. Be aware that this is not a common condition, but it is something that some people get.