Heartburn or Barrett's Esophagus?

Do you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux? If your symptoms endure, you may suffer from a condition known as Barrett's esophagus. The esophagus is the food tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, more than 3 million Americans are living with this condition that leads to esophageal cancer.

So, how does Barrett's esophagus occur? Barrett's esophagus happens when the lining of the esophagus is changed drastically, usually in people with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). There are instances where people with Barrett's esophagus do not exhibit symptoms. The disease can go undiagnosed for years. If you have GERD, are obese, are male, and Caucasian, you are at a higher risk for Barrett's esophagus. Besides over-the-counter and prescription medications, there were few treatment options for this condition before.

Fortunately, more physicians and hospitals are offering a new treatment called radio frequency ablation (RFA). This is a very proactive treatment. The philosophy is that of treating the problem before it creates a much bigger one. This new treatment has been effective in treating cancerous tumors and arthritis pain already. Unlike gastroesophgectomies, there are no incisions with this procedure. Instead, the doctor places a tiny camera with a sizing balloon down the patient's esophagus. Another balloon delivers a blast of energy that burns out the mutated tissue in the esophagus. Hence, a bit of relief.

Usually, the procedure is repeated again a few months later. This is a process that takes time. The mutated tissues must be ablated a few layers at a time. At the first visit, the main part of transformed tissue is taken away. At your second visit, the doctor will clean up any remaining bits of transformed tissue. The device your doctor uses will be smaller. The whole procedure usually takes about 30 minutes and is treated as an outpatient visit. RFA may be a better alternative to the once-standard esophagectomy which left patients with strict limits. No more incisions or long recovery times.

If your heartburn occurs more than twice a week, or if you have had GERD in the past, you may want to see a gastroenterologist. If you are not as sensitive as you used to be to the heartburn or acid reflux, Barrett's esophagus may have already set in. Chronic heartburn sufferers may notice their symptoms stopped once the condition reaches this point. Seek treatment today before your heartburn leads to esophageal cancer.