Barretts Esophagus: What Is It? How can you prevent it

If the mouth serves as a portal(gate) to the body, the esophagus serves as a highway for food and drink to travel down to the stomach. Although this body part serves a basic function, the food pipe can be prone to a number of illnesses, if you won’t seek medical help at right time.

Barrett’s esophagus is one such condition where the tissue in your lower esophagus gets damaged and if left untreated, this can lead to esophageal adenocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer.

In this blog, we are going to discuss how can you prevent them, what is treatment available for them, and many more with our eminent gastroenterology doctor in Jayanagar. So, if you want to know the same, keep reading!
 
What is Barrett’s Esophagus?
Barrett's esophagus is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus changes to resemble the lining of the intestine. This condition can lead to esophageal adenocarcinoma, rare cancer. Till now, Barrett's syndrome has no known origin, but doctors have discovered that those who have GERD(gastro-esophageal reflux disease)are more prone to develop it.
 
When should you see a doctor?
Although Barrett's esophagus itself does not cause any symptoms. But those who suffer from this issue may experience symptoms similar to GERD. This includes-

  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Weight loss
  • Heartburn that wakes you from sleep.
  • Bad breath(halitosis)
  • Sore throat
  • Painful swallowing
  • You may feel like food is stuck inside the food pipe
  • Sour taste in the mouth
  • In severe cases, blood in stool

If you believe that you are experiencing any of these symptoms frequently or at least twice a week, you should consider a visit to your doctor.
 
What are the treatment modalities available for Barrett’s esophagus?
There are various treatment options available for treating Barrett's esophagus. Your doctor will decide the best for you. The options include-
 

  • Medications for GERD- Your doctor will prescribe acid-suppressing medicine if you have Barrett's esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Proton pump inhibitors are what they're called (PPIs). These medications can help protect your esophagus from further injury. They may also be able to repair the harm in some circumstances.
  • Endoscopy- Your doctor may advise you to get an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy on a regular basis. This is to keep an eye out for signs of developing cancer.
  • Endoscopic ablation- Endoscopic ablation employs a variety of procedures to eliminate abnormalities in the esophagus. Following the treatments, your body should start producing normal esophageal cells. You should also have a lesser chance of contracting cancer.
  • Endoscopic mucosal resection- Here your doctor will remove the diseased tissue after injecting a solution underneath it.

 What are the dietary changes you need to do for preventing Barrett’s esophagus?
Certain foods that can help to reduce the symptoms of GERD, will be beneficial for a patient suffering from Barrette’s esophagus.

You should include some dietary changes, like -

  • Reduce intake of fatty foods,
  • Have smaller meals at a regular interval of time,
  • Avoid eating fast food and processed food as well.
  • Avoid having meals before bedtime
  • Do not lie down, bend or stoop after having a meal.
  • Avoid having sugary foods.
  • You can carry on a diet rich in fibers like beans, oats, lentils, dried fruits, fresh vegetables.

 Should you need to undergo screening for Barrett's esophagus?
As per experts from the best gastrointestinal hospital in Bangalore, you need to get yourself checked if you are having chronic symptoms or you are experiencing the same at a frequent interval of time. Your doctor may suggest you go for a screening process if you are

  • Aged above 50 years.
  • Have increased belly fat
  • Your family has a history of developing adenocarcinoma
  • If you have a habit of smoking

Early screening and diagnosis can prevent the progression of this disease.
 
Conclusion- if you are suffering from any of the symptoms related to GERD, do not neglect. Get yourself checked or get a second opinion from our panel of specialists from the best hospital in Bangalore.
 

Posted on : 11/03/2022      Views : 515

Barretts Esophagus: What Is It? How can you prevent it

If the mouth serves as a portal(gate) to the body, the esophagus serves as a highway for food and drink to travel down to the stomach. Although this body part serves a basic function, the food pipe can be prone to a number of illnesses, if you won’t seek medical help at right time.

Barrett’s esophagus is one such condition where the tissue in your lower esophagus gets damaged and if left untreated, this can lead to esophageal adenocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer.

In this blog, we are going to discuss how can you prevent them, what is treatment available for them, and many more with our eminent gastroenterology doctor in Jayanagar. So, if you want to know the same, keep reading!
 
What is Barrett’s Esophagus?
Barrett's esophagus is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus changes to resemble the lining of the intestine. This condition can lead to esophageal adenocarcinoma, rare cancer. Till now, Barrett's syndrome has no known origin, but doctors have discovered that those who have GERD(gastro-esophageal reflux disease)are more prone to develop it.
 
When should you see a doctor?
Although Barrett's esophagus itself does not cause any symptoms. But those who suffer from this issue may experience symptoms similar to GERD. This includes-

  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Weight loss
  • Heartburn that wakes you from sleep.
  • Bad breath(halitosis)
  • Sore throat
  • Painful swallowing
  • You may feel like food is stuck inside the food pipe
  • Sour taste in the mouth
  • In severe cases, blood in stool

If you believe that you are experiencing any of these symptoms frequently or at least twice a week, you should consider a visit to your doctor.
 
What are the treatment modalities available for Barrett’s esophagus?
There are various treatment options available for treating Barrett's esophagus. Your doctor will decide the best for you. The options include-
 

  • Medications for GERD- Your doctor will prescribe acid-suppressing medicine if you have Barrett's esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Proton pump inhibitors are what they're called (PPIs). These medications can help protect your esophagus from further injury. They may also be able to repair the harm in some circumstances.
  • Endoscopy- Your doctor may advise you to get an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy on a regular basis. This is to keep an eye out for signs of developing cancer.
  • Endoscopic ablation- Endoscopic ablation employs a variety of procedures to eliminate abnormalities in the esophagus. Following the treatments, your body should start producing normal esophageal cells. You should also have a lesser chance of contracting cancer.
  • Endoscopic mucosal resection- Here your doctor will remove the diseased tissue after injecting a solution underneath it.

 What are the dietary changes you need to do for preventing Barrett’s esophagus?
Certain foods that can help to reduce the symptoms of GERD, will be beneficial for a patient suffering from Barrette’s esophagus.

You should include some dietary changes, like -

  • Reduce intake of fatty foods,
  • Have smaller meals at a regular interval of time,
  • Avoid eating fast food and processed food as well.
  • Avoid having meals before bedtime
  • Do not lie down, bend or stoop after having a meal.
  • Avoid having sugary foods.
  • You can carry on a diet rich in fibers like beans, oats, lentils, dried fruits, fresh vegetables.

 Should you need to undergo screening for Barrett's esophagus?
As per experts from the best gastrointestinal hospital in Bangalore, you need to get yourself checked if you are having chronic symptoms or you are experiencing the same at a frequent interval of time. Your doctor may suggest you go for a screening process if you are

  • Aged above 50 years.
  • Have increased belly fat
  • Your family has a history of developing adenocarcinoma
  • If you have a habit of smoking

Early screening and diagnosis can prevent the progression of this disease.
 
Conclusion- if you are suffering from any of the symptoms related to GERD, do not neglect. Get yourself checked or get a second opinion from our panel of specialists from the best hospital in Bangalore.
 



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