Barrett’s Esophagus: Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Long-Term Acidity
Occasional Acidity Or Heartburn Is Common, But long-term Acid Reflux
Should Never Be Ignored. Persistent Acidity Can Damage The Food Pipe
(esophagus) And Lead To A Condition Called Barrett’s Esophagus, Which
Increases The Risk Of Esophageal Cancer.
The Good News Is That early Screening And Timely Treatment Can Prevent
Serious Complications, Including Cancer.
What Is Barrett’s Esophagus?
Barrett’s Esophagus Is A Condition In Which The normal Lining Of The
Esophagus Changes Due To Long-standing Exposure To Stomach Acid.
This Usually Develops As A Complication Of chronic GERD (Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease).
Over Time, Repeated Acid Injury Causes Abnormal Cells To Replace Normal
Esophageal Cells — A Process Called metaplasia.
Why Is Barrett’s Esophagus Serious?
- It May not Cause Obvious Symptoms On Its Own
- It Significantly increases The Risk Of Esophageal Cancer
- Without Regular Monitoring, Early Cancerous Changes Can Go
Unnoticed
That’s Why early Diagnosis And Routine Surveillance Are Crucial.
Who Is At Risk?
You May Be At Higher Risk If You Have:
- Long-standing Acidity Or GERD (more Than 5 Years)
- Frequent Heartburn Or Regurgitation
- Obesity Or Central (abdominal) Weight Gain
- Smoking Or Alcohol Use
- Male Gender And Age Above 40
- Family History Of Esophageal Cancer
Symptoms To Watch For
Barrett’s Esophagus Itself May Not Cause New Symptoms, But Warning Signs
Include:
- Persistent Heartburn
- Acid Regurgitation
- Difficulty Or Pain While Swallowing
- Chest Discomfort
- Chronic Cough Or Hoarseness
If These Symptoms Are Long-standing, don’t Delay Evaluation.
How Is Barrett’s Esophagus Diagnosed?
The Most Reliable Method Is upper GI Endoscopy.
During The Procedure:
- The Esophagus Is Examined Directly
- Small Tissue Samples (biopsy) Are Taken
- Abnormal Cell Changes Are Identified Early
Endoscopy Is Safe, Quick, And Highly Effective For Early Detection.
Treatment & Management
Treatment Depends On The Severity And Biopsy Findings:
- Acid-suppressing Medications (PPIs) To Control Reflux
- Lifestyle Changes Such As
Weight Management And Diet Control
- Regular Endoscopic Surveillance To
Monitor Changes
- Advanced Endoscopic Therapies If Precancerous Changes Are Detected
With Proper Care, Many Patients Live Normal, Healthy Lives.
Can Barrett’s Esophagus Be Prevented?
Yes, Early Action Makes A Big Difference:
- Don’t Ignore Chronic Acidity
- Get Evaluated If Symptoms Persist
- Follow Prescribed Treatment For GERD
- Avoid Smoking And Alcohol
- Maintain A Healthy Weight
Early Screening Can Prevent Cancer.
Barrett’s Esophagus Is A Silent But Serious Condition Linked To
Long-term Acidity. While It Increases Cancer Risk, early Detection Through
Screening Endoscopy Can Be Life-saving.
If You’ve Had Chronic Heartburn Or Acid Reflux, Now Is The Right Time To Act.
At Hardhik Gastro Liver Clinic & Scan Center
Dr. Ravisankar Reddy, Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist,
Hepatologist & Endoscopist, Provides Expert Evaluation, Advanced Endoscopy,
And Personalized Care For Conditions Like Barrett’s Esophagus.
Book Your Checkup Today — Early
Screening Can Prevent Cancer.
