Do I Have Barrett’s Esophagus?

Are you a white male over 50?

Do you have a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Do you have heartburn symptoms for more than 10 years (a burning sensation in the chest and vomit in the back of the throat)?

Do you have a heartburn that occurs at least twice a week?

Do you have a heartburn that worsens or wakes you from sleep?

Do you have difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing?

Do you have a feeling of food stuck in your esophagus?

Do you have constant sore throat, sour taste in your mouth or bad breath?

Do you have an unintentional weight loss?

Do you have black, tarry or bloody stools?

Do you vomit red blood or blood that looks like coffee grounds?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is a medical condition characterized by damage to the tissue lining the esophagus. The esophagus is a tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. An important valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is located between the esophagus and the stomach. The LES closes when food from the esophagus enters the stomach. Sometimes, the LES does not function properly, so the stomach contents return to the esophagus. Prolonged exposure of the esophagus to acidic stomach contents will cause changes in its mucosa. This type of damaged esophagus is called Barrett's esophagus.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is a medical condition that refers to the damaged lining of the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a valve that does not allow gastric contents to return to the esophagus. In case the LES is weakened, the acidic stomach contents can return to the esophagus and will damage it over time. This condition is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). About 10 percent of people with GERD will develop Barrett's esophagus. Diagnosis is based on a procedure called endoscopy.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus refers to the damaged lining of the esophagus, which becomes similar to the intestinal mucosa. Barrett’s esophagus is more common in white older men who are obese, have heartburn symptoms for more than 10 years, or have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). People with Barrett’s esophagus have an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. Treatment depends on the extent of damage to the esophageal lining and your overall health. Your doctor may suggest periodic endoscopy to monitor esophageal cells, treat GERD, radiofrequency ablation, cryotherapy, endoscopic mucosal resection or surgery.