About Barrett’s Esophagus
Keep Your Esophagus in the Clear
You might have Barrett’s Esophagus if your doctor ever notices that damage has been done to the cells in your lower esophagus. Usually, a person is diagnosed with this particular condition when stomach acid alters the color and composition of the cells of the esophagus. If you suffer from gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), there is an increased chance of this condition showing up in your esophagus.
The reason that you will want to turn to the knowledgeable surgeons at miVIP to take care of the condition with an EGD procedure is that the condition puts you at a slight risk for cancer.
Who is at Risk
Barrett’s Esophagus is not a very common condition. In fact, only two to seven percent of the population is diagnosed with the ailment. Certain groups are more likely to suffer from the condition, however, including:
- Caucasians
- Those over the age of 55
- Males
In fact, statistics show that males are twice as likely to be diagnosed than females.
Causes of Condition
The exact cause for this particular condition has yet to be determined, but most patients who have been diagnosed suffered from chronic GERD. Stomach acid damages the esophagus, and when it tries to heal itself the cells in the esophagus are altered. That being said, Barrett’s Esophagus has also appeared in those who do not suffer from GERD and will still need an EGD procedure to treat the condition.
Common Symptoms
Many people do not recognize their symptoms and only learn of the condition after a doctor examines their esophagus for an unrelated reason. There have been situations where the patient shows some common symptoms, such as:
- Problems swallowing food
- Frequent heartburn
- Dry cough
- Abdominal pain
- Unexplained pain in the chest
Treatment Options
Popular treatment options for Barrett’s Esophagus include:
- KTP-523 Laser Treatment – The surgeon can target specific areas in order to make sure that the right tissues and cells are removed
- EGD Procedure – The surgeon takes a close look at the esophagus and checks for the condition before taking care of any damaged cells and tissues if necessary
No matter which treatment option is the best for you, you can rest easy knowing that it will be performed by a leading miVIP surgeon backed by an equally highly qualified support staff.
Prognosis
While esophageal cancer is rare with this condition, you still might have to undergo endoscopies for the rest of your life in order to make sure that the condition is still under control and that you are still cancer-free.
Get in Touch With Us
If you would like to learn more about the EGD procedure, or if you have questions about any of the other procedures we perform at miVIP Las Vegas, call us at 877-956-2263.