Taj Worldwide | Taj Group | Media | Career | FAQs | Feedback | contact us
 
Taj Logo
barretts
 
Quality Medicines Api Generic Manufacturing For Doctors Brands Newsroom
 
Barrett’s Esophagus
 
HOME >> Diseases >> Diseases Index B >> Barrett’s Esophagus
  Barrett’s Esophagus  

 

 


What is Barrett’s esophagus?

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which the tissue lining the esophagus—the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach—is replaced by tissue that is similar to the lining of the intestine. This process is called intestinal metaplasia.

No signs or symptoms are associated with Barrett’s esophagus, but it is commonly found in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A small number of people with Barrett’s esophagus develop a rare but often deadly type of cancer of the esophagus.

Causes
When you eat, food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus (also called the food pipe or swallowing tube). Once food is in the stomach, a ring of muscles keeps it from leaking backward into the esophagus.
If these muscles do not close tightly, stomach acid can leak back into the esophagus. This is called reflux or gastroesophageal reflux.

This reflux may cause symptoms of heartburn. It may also damage the lining of the esophagus, which is referred to as Barrett's esophagus.
Barrett's esophagus occurs more often in men than women. You are more likely to have this condition if you have had GERD for a long time.
Patients with Barrett's esophagus may develop more changes in the esophagus called dysplasia. When dysplasia is present, the risk of getting cancer of the esophagus increases.
Symptoms
Barrett's esophagus itself does not cause symptoms. The acid reflux that causes Barrett's esophagus often leads to symptoms of heartburn. However, many patients with this condition do not have symptoms.

Prevention
Diagnosis and treatment of GERD may prevent Barrett's esophagus.

How is Barrett’s esophagus diagnosed?
Because Barrett’s esophagus does not cause any symptoms, many physicians recommend that adults older than 40 who have had GERD for a number of years undergo an endoscopy and biopsies to check for the condition.

Barrett’s esophagus can only be diagnosed using an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy to obtain biopsies of the esophagus. In an upper GI endoscopy, after the patient is sedated, the doctor inserts a flexible tube called an endoscope, which has a light and a miniature camera, into the esophagus. If the tissue appears suspicious, the doctor removes several small pieces using a pincher-like device that is passed through the endoscope.

Exams and Tests

If GERD symptoms are severe or they come back after you have been treated, the doctor may perform an endoscopy.
• A thin tube with a camera on the end is inserted through your mouth and then passed into your esophagus and stomach.
• While looking at the esophagus with the endoscope, the doctor may perform biopsies in different parts of the esophagus. These biopsies help diagnose Barrett's esophagus, as well as look for changes that could lead to cancer.
Follow-up endoscopies may be recommended for some patients.

Treatment
Treatment should improve symptoms, and may keep Barrett's esophagus from getting worse.
Lifestyle changes include:
• Avoid dietary fat, chocolate, caffeine, and peppermint because they may cause lower esophageal pressure and allow stomach acid to flow backwards
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco
• Avoid lying down after meals
• Lose weight
• Sleep with the head of the bed elevated
• Take all medications with plenty of water
Medications to relieve symptoms and control gastroesophageal reflux include:
• Proton pump inhibitors
• Antacids after meals and at bedtime
• Histamine H2 receptor blockers
• Promotility agents
Anti-reflux surgery may help with symptoms of GERD, but will not cause Barrett's esophagus to go away.

TREATMENT OF BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS
Surgery or other procedures may be recommended if a biopsy shows cell changes that are very likely to lead to cancer. Such changes are called severe or high-grade dysplasia.
Some of these procedures remove the harmful tissue in your esophagus, where the cancer is most likely to develop.
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the use of a special laser device, called an esophageal balloon, along with a drug called Photofrin.
• Other procedures use different types of high energy to destroy the precancerous tissue.
• Surgery to remove the abnormal lining
Outlook (Prognosis)
People with Barrett's esophagus have an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Still, only a small number of people with Barrett's esophagus develop cancer. Follow-up endoscopy to look for dysplasia or cancer is often advised.
Treatment should improve symptoms and may keep Barrett's esophagus from getting worse. None of these treatments will reverse the changes that may lead to cancer.

When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if:
• Heartburn lasts for longer than a few days, or you have pain or difficulty swallowing.
• You have been diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus and your symptoms get worse, or new symptoms (weight loss, problems swallowing) develop.





 


 


 

 

 

 

 


  Growing Stronger, Growing
  Better

Growing Better
 

  Healthcare Provider

 
barretts esophagus

Diseases Barratte

 

body xray














































 

 

Barrett’s Esophagus - treatment of Barrett’s Esophagus, Barrett’s Esophagus types, Disease medicines, Barrett’s Esophagus symptoms, Barrett’s Esophagus and Disease symptoms, Barrett’s Esophagus symptoms Disease and diagnosis, Symptoms and Solutions, Signs and Symptoms, type of Barrett’s Esophagus, cause common, common Barrett’s Esophagus, Barrett’s Esophagus List, causes list, Infectious Barrett’s Esophagus, Causes, Diseases , Types, Prevention, Treatment and Facts, Barrett’s Esophagus information, Barrett’s Esophagus: Definition, Barrett’s Esophagus names, medical Barrett’s Esophagus, medical Barrett’s Esophagus and disorders, cell Barrett’s Esophagus, Barrett’s Esophagus Worldwide, Barrett’s Esophagus Research, Barrett’s Esophagus Control, Barrett’s Esophagus Center, Digestive Barrett’s Esophagus Week, Information about Barrett’s Esophagus, causes of different Barrett’s Esophagus, Barrett’s Esophagus Articles, Barrett’s Esophagus and conditions, Health and Barrett’s Esophagus, Barrett’s Esophagus Patients, Barrett’s Esophagus and Sciences, causes of alzheimer's Barrett’s Esophagus, Barrett’s Esophagus causes, alternative medicine heart Barrett’s Esophagus, body ailments, Barrett’s Esophagus medicines, medical antiques, type of blood Barrett’s Esophagus  
 
   
diseases
diseases index
 
   
  india flag
  The Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited (Taj Group) has operations in every major international market
   
  RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
  CONSUMER CARE
  MEDICAL CARE
  ANIMAL HEALTH
  TECHNOLOGY
  SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
  DRUGS INFORMATION
  FIRST AID & EMERGENCY GUIDE
  DIET & NUTRITION
  AMAZING BODY FACTS
 
YOGA FOR HEALTH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 www.tajpharma.com

 

   
 

              
 Print page   Send by mail

About Taj

Company

Products Diseases Health Divisions Media R & D Sustainability
Figure & Reports Investors

Countries

Brochure E-mail us Export & Import
Vacancies | C & F Agency | Distributor | Group Companies | History | Enquire Form | Countries | Pharma Technology
 Contact | Sitemap | User Terms and Conditions | Privacy and Cookie Statement