Barrett's esophagus Archives - Granite Peaks Gastroenterology of Utah

Meet Your Esophagus

Posted on January 12, 2022 by Granite Peaks

When it comes to the internal components of your body, you probably don’t notice them until something feels “wrong.” For example, let’s discuss your esophagus. This otherwise unnoticeable tube, responsible for transporting food from your mouth to your stomach, has a big job to do and if something is wrong, you’ll notice.

Esophageal Anatomy

Your esophagus is the tube that runs from your mouth to your stomach to control the exchange of air, food, and liquids. There are sphincter muscles at the top and bottom of the esophagus. The upper muscle prevents liquids and food from going down the windpipe into the lungs and moves food down the esophagus toward the stomach. The lower muscle allows food to pass into the stomach and prevents acidic stomach contents from escaping back into the esophagus or lungs.

When Does Heartburn Become a Problem?

Most people experience heartburn at some point in time. That burning sensation felt near the center of your ribcage, usually shortly after eating or drinking, might be acidic stomach contents pushing back up the esophagus from the stomach, which is also known as reflux.

However, about 50% of American suffer with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), the stage when heartburn becomes a frequent, chronic condition. GERD is best managed with your gastroenterologist to monitor changes in the esophagus and effectiveness of recommended treatment. Left untreated, GERD can cause significant damage to the esophagus, leading to Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal ulcers, strictures (narrowing of the esophagus) or esophageal cancer.

Tips for Keeping Your Esophagus Healthy

Reduce your risk of acid reflux. Choose smaller meals and eat slowly, chewing food thoroughly to aid the process of breaking down food. This will also help the rest of your digestive system work better too. Avoid or limit fatty, acidic or spicy foods, and alcohol or caffeinated beverages such as cola, tea, coffee. If simple changes don’t help, see your gastroenterologist for more specific ideas for relieving symptoms and determining whether your heartburn could really be something more serious. Learn more here.

The Importance of Endoscopy for Barrett’s Esophagus

Posted on July 15, 2019September 12, 2019 by fuelmarketing

If you have Barrett’s esophagus (BE), an upper endoscopy procedure is an important tool for monitoring this condition, minimizing your risk of developing esophageal cancer.

If you suffer from chronic heartburn or acid reflux, you face a higher risk of developing BE. GI doctors use an upper endoscopy (also called an EGD) to gather biopsies to diagnose this condition. An EGD is also an important tool for monitoring the progression of Barrett’s and the detection of changes in the esophageal lining or precancerous conditions.

Understanding Barrett’s Esophagus & Dysplasia

Barrett’s esophagus is the term used to describe the presence of changes in the esophageal lining wherein the cells take on characteristics of the lining of the small intestine. Although BE is not technically considered to be precancerous, it is the precursor to cell dysplasia (cells that appear abnormal, but are not currently cancerous), which may lead to esophageal cancer.

These changes occur when the esophagus is constantly exposed to stomach acid, typically due to gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD. Left untreated, acid reflux can lead to esophageal inflammation and, ultimately BE.

Who Is at Risk for Barrett’s Esophagus?

Although occasional heartburn is not unusual, experiencing chronic reflux (more than two times per week) can potentially increase your risk for BE. If you have been diagnosed with GERD, you are at risk for developing BE, especially if your reflux is not under control.

This condition is more common in men than women, and more common in Caucasians as it is in African Americans, but anyone can develop this condition.

Other common risk factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and the regular use of prescription or over-the-counter medications to control heartburn.

When Should You Have an Upper Endoscopy?

Although the chances of developing esophageal cancer are small, even in patients diagnosed with BE, this type of cancer has a high mortality rate. The American Cancer Society reports that, while more than 17,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, more than 16,000 Americans die each year due to cancer of the esophagus. Consequently, early detection is critical.

If you suffer from chronic heartburn, consult your Granite Peaks GI specialist to determine the appropriate course of action. Report any changes in symptoms, such as regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or worsening of asthma symptoms.

Granite Peaks Gastroenterology, with convenient locations in Lehi and Sandy, Utah, specializes in the treatment of conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, with an emphasis on helping our patients achieve overall health and wellness. Contact us today to learn more about Barrett’s esophagus. Your doctor will determine if an endoscopy procedure is indicated to diagnose, monitor and treat your upper gastrointestinal symptoms.

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Barrett’s Esophagus

Posted on October 11, 2016January 18, 2017 by fuelmarketing

by Dr. Christopher Cutler

In 2015, the American College of Gastroenterology published clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Barrett’s esophagus (BE). The following is a summary of this guideline which the physicians at Granite Peaks Gastroenterology would like to share with you:

—Screening of the general population for BE is not recommended.

—Screening for BE may be considered in men with chronic (>5 years) and/or frequent (weekly or more) symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn or acid regurgitation) and two or more risk factors for BE. These risk factors include: age >50 years, Caucasian race, central obesity, current or past history of smoking, and a confirmed family history of BE or esophageal cancer (in a first degree relative).

—Screening for BE in females is not recommended. However, individualized screening could be considered in a woman with multiple risk factors for BE including: age>50, Caucasian race, chronic and/or frequent reflux symptoms, central obesity, current or past history of smoking, and a confirmed family history of BE or esophageal cancer (in a first degree relative).

—If the initial endoscopy is negative for BE, repeating an endoscopy to look for BE is not recommended. If the endoscopy reveals significant esophagitis, a repeat endoscopy after PPI (Prilosec) therapy for 8-12 weeks is recommended to ensure healing of esophagitis and exclude the presence of underlying BE.

—For BE patients without dysplasia (pre-cancerous cells), endoscopic surveillance should be performed every 3-5 years.

—For BE patients with dysplasia of any grade, the biopsies should be read by two pathologists, at least one of whom has expertise in GI pathology.

—For patients whose biopsies are indefinite for dysplasia, a repeat endoscopy after 3-6 months of optimized PPI therapy should be performed. If this endoscopy confirms the diagnosis of indefinite for dysplasia, a surveillance interval of 12 months is recommended.

—For patients with BE and confirmed low-grade dysplasia, endoscopic therapy (radiofrequency ablation) is considered the preferred treatment, although endoscopic surveillance every 12 months is an acceptable alternative.

—Patients with BE and confirmed high-grade dysplasia should be managed with endoscopic therapy (radiofrequency ablation +/- endoscopic mucosal resection).

—Endoscopic ablative therapies should not be routinely applied to patients with nondysplastic BE because of their low risk of progression to esophageal cancer.

—Patients with BE should receive once-daily PPI therapy. Routine use of twice-daily dosing is not recommended, unless necessitated because of poor control of reflux symptoms or esophagitis.

—Anti-reflux surgery should not be pursued in patient with BE to prevent cancer. However this surgery should be considered in those with incomplete control of reflux symptoms on optimized medical therapy.

—Endoscopic surveillance following elimination of BE for patients with low-grade dysplasia is recommended every 6 months for the first year, and annually thereafter.

—Endoscopic surveillance following elimination of BE for patients with high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal carcinoma is recommended every 3 months for the first year, every 6 months for the second year, and annually thereafter.

If you have any questions about Barrett’s esophagus or your reflux symptoms, please contact your physician at Granite Peaks Gastroenterology.