In this post we explore all you need to know about Barrett’s oesophagus symptoms and treatments. Read on to learn the warning signs to spot and how to overcome the condition.
What is Barrett’s oesophagus?
Barrett’s oesophagus is a condition where the cells that line your oesophagus (food pipe) start to change. This happens due to damage from stomach acid that has come back up into the oesophagus. Doctors call this cell change metaplasia.
Barrett’s oesophagus changes the appearance of the inside of your food pipe. Normally your food pipe is lined with flat, pale pink squamous cells. In Barrett’s oesophagus, your food pipe becomes lined with darker red column shaped cells, like the type found in the stomach lining.
Having Barrett’s oesophagus means you are at a slightly higher risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus. For this reason, Barrett’s oesophagus is sometimes called a “precancerous condition.”
It is important to note, however, that the risk is still very low. Each year less than 1 in 100 people with Barrett’s oesophagus develop cancer of the oesophagus.
Barrett’s oesophagus symptoms
Other than the change in cells, which you can’t see externally, Barrett’s oesophagus itself has no symptoms. But the underlying condition that causes it does produce symptoms.
Barrett’s oesophagus is caused by gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). This is a condition where you have ongoing acid reflux. The symptoms of GORD include:
- Heartburn (burning sensation in the chest after eating)
- Sour, unpleasant taste in the mouth (from stomach acid coming back up)
- Sore, inflamed food pipe
- Bad breath
- Belching
- Feeling or being sick
- Trouble swallowing
Around one in ten people with GORD go on to develop Barrett’s oesophagus.
Can Barrett’s oesophagus be cured?
Watch this animated video featuring Consultant Gastroenterologist, Dr Sarmed Sami, to learn whether Barrett’s oesophagus can be cured:
[answerpacktv video=”can-barretts-oesophagus-be-cured” header-only=”yes” single-view-mode=”yes” view-playlist-label=”View more videos” header-link=”/videos/answerpack/barretts-oesophagus” landing-page-header-text=”View our video library of FAQs on Barrett’s Oesophagus” landing-page-header-title=”Can barrett’s oesophagus be cured?”]
Barrett’s oesophagus treatment
Barrett’s oesophagus can be treated in a number of ways. Some treatments focus on controlling the symptoms of GORD to reduce further cell damage. For example, medication that controls acid reflux or a procedure to strengthen the sphincter at the bottom of the oesophagus.
Other treatments focus on removing or treating abnormal (precancerous or cancerous) cells in the food pipe lining. These include endoscopic mucosal resection (ER) and HALO radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Let’s explore how each of these treatments works:
Endoscopic mucosal resection
Endoscopic mucosal resection is a non-surgical procedure which is used to remove the abnormal areas of lining in your food pipe.
The doctor uses an endoscope (a long flexible tube) with a tiny camera and light on the end. They feed this through your mouth and into your food pipe. This helps the doctor to examine the abnormal cells.
The doctor can then remove them by adapting the endoscope. They pass special instruments through the tube that help to remove the damaged cells.
HALO radiofrequency ablation
HALO radiofrequency ablation is another type of Barrett’s oesophagus treatment that uses an endoscope. The endoscope is adapted so that it can use high frequency radio waves which destroy the abnormal cells.
Book an appointment
Do you have ongoing acid reflux or an existing diagnosis of GORD? It is a good idea to see a doctor to check that your food pipe lining is normal. Without a check-up you may not know that you have developed Barrett’s oesophagus
If you have Barrett’s oesophagus, your doctor will check how severe your cell abnormality is and whether your cells could be precancerous. They can then recommend the best course of treatment.
Our highly experienced gastroenterologists are experts in diagnosing and treating Barrett’s oesophagus.
