Barrett's Esophagus
A Complication of GERD
The esophagus is the upper portion of the digestive tract which allows food to move from the throat to the stomach. The sphincter, located at the far end of the esophagus, closes in order to prevent food and stomach acids from back washing into the esophagus and damaging its lining. Barrett's Esophagus is a change in the color and size of the cells which line the bottom of the esophagus.
What Causes this Condition?
These cellular changes are caused most often by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes stomach acids to flow backward through the sphincter from the stomach into the lower portion of the esophagus. Acid reflux and GERD are very common disorders which are usually treated with either ant-acids which can be purchased over-the-counter or by prescribed medications known as Proton Pump Inhibitors,such as Nexium.
Symptoms of Barrett's Esophagus
According to The Mayo Clinic online, the symptoms of GERD and the symptoms of Barrett's Esophagus are the same:
Frequent heartburn
Difficulty swallowing food
Chest pain
Black tarry stools
Vomiting blood.
You may be at increased risk for Barrett's Esophagus if you have had GERD for more than ten years and are either a Caucasian or Hispanic male. The risk also increases with age.
Esophageal Cancer - A Complication of Barrett's Esophagus
Esophageal Cancer has been increasing in the United States since the 1970s. The most common type is Adenocarcinoma which is found in the lower end of the esophagus, near the stomach.
My father passed away in 1986 from Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. He had just retired and was planning to enjoy a more care-free lifestyle. He lived less than one year after the diagnosis. It is important to treat GERD, acid reflux and heartburn before it has time to damage the lining of the esophagus. Treatment for these conditions is much more effective than any treatment offered for cancer of the esophagus. Know your risk factors, talk to your doctor and get the treatment you need. Heartburn is no small thing.
Sources:
Family History of Esophageal Carcinoma
Published by Vicki Messer
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