Barrett's Esophagus

What is Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett's Esophagus is a precancerous condition. In this, the normal lining of the esophagus is changed to a different form. The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth with the stomach. It is normally lined with squamous cells but in Barret's Esophagus, it is changed to a columnar cell layer. This changing of cell type is known as metaplasia in medical terminology. 

Symptoms of Barrett's Esophagus

It does not have any specific symptoms, but there are several different signs felt by a person. These symptoms include heartburn. Heartburn is the feeling of burning sensation in the chest. Patients also experience coughing without production of any secretion or sputum, which is known as a dry cough. Patient feels difficulty while swallowing food. The patient might also experience pain in the chest. and in the upper abdominal region.

Causes of Barrett's Esophagus

Barret's esophagus is caused by repeated damage to the esophagus due to acidic content reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. Reflux is when food moves back from stomach into the esophagus. This repeated reflux disease is known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the cause of Barret's esophagus. However, Barrett’s esophagus does not occur in every patient who has Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Risk factors of Barrett's Esophagus

There are several risk factors that increase the chances of a person developing Barrett's disease.  People who have recurrent and frequent heart burn feelings and the feeling of acid reflux are at a higher risk. Older aged patients are also more prone to it.  Male patients are seen to be a higher risk too, as compared to female patients. Smokers are also more susceptible. Smoking contains carcinogens which increase the risk of normal cells changing and causing metaplasia. Smoking also effects the digestive system of the body. 

Some ethnicity are also seen more to this disease, including white people, who are also known as Caucasians. People who are obese or overweight are at higher risk, as the lower esophageal sphincter which prevents the food to go back is ineffective, and due to excessive fat, the pressure in the abdomen is higher in these people, resulting in Gastroesophageal reflux disease, which develops into Barrett's esophagus eventually. 

Complication of Barrett's Esophagus

The only complication associated with Barrett's esophagus is esophageal cancer, as this is a premalignant condition.

Lab Investigations and diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus

As Barrett's esophagus does not have any specific symptoms associated with it, it can only be diagnosed by a diagnostic test known as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy, which includes endoscopy. This is the procedure when a camera is inserted into the mouth and guided into the esophagus. With the help of the endoscope, the esophagus can be directly visualized. Endoscopy is done after sedating the patient. The endoscope is a flexible, miniature camera. 

It also contains a light source.  If after viewing the esophagus, the doctor either finds it suspicious of being a premalignant condition or not. The doctor takes a biopsy of it, which is the removal of a small part of the tissue to observe. The biopsy is fixed on a slide and send to the pathologist. The pathologist, after viewing it under the microscope, diagnosis it as a Barrett's esophagus or not.  The Gastroenterological Association advises people who have risk factors for Barrett's esophagus present in them to get screened regularly. The Endoscopy and treatment is done by gastroenterologist. 

Treatment of Barrett's Esophagus

There are multiple approaches to treating Barrett's esophagus. These include homeopathic treatment, acupuncture and acupressure, treatment through conventional or allopathic means, surgical procedures, dietary and herbal treatments, and others.

Homeopathic treatment of Barrett's Esophagus

Homeopathy is a safe and a natural treatment done by using elements found in the natural environment.  This treatment helps in relieving the patient of the symptoms produced by the Barrett's esophagus. Patients who are not improving even after having a change in their lifestyle  show a lot of improvement after using homeopathy. These remedies help in removing the feeling of heart burn, and the belching and sour vomiting produced along heartburn. The remedies used to help in Barrett's esophagus include natural compounds like Iris, Arsebus album, Robinia and Nux Vomica. 

Acupuncture and Acupressure treatment of Barrett's Esophagus

Experts of acupuncture and acupressure improve the qi circulation by adjusting it using pressure points on the body. Acupuncture generally improves the body’s balance and helps by relieving the heartburn. It also improves the immune system of the body which provides the resistance and removes the pathogenic factors.

Conventional or Allopathic treatment of Barrett's Esophagus

The allopathic treatment for Barrett's esophagus is prescribed by a general physician. The drugs used for this treatment are known as antacids. Antacids are taken orally after thirty to sixty minutes after having a meal. This helps in reducing the incidence of heartburn. 

Surgical treatment of Barrett's Esophagus

Surgical treatment is only given if Barrett's esophagus is diagnosed. In this procedure, most of the esophagus is removed by surgery. It is recommended specifically for extreme dysplasia condition or if cancer is present. Dysplasia is when there are nuclear changes of the cells. Surgery is advised to those who would be able to tolerate the surgery, as not everyone has the constitution. 

Dietary and herbal treatment of Barrett's Esophagus

People should avoid eating fried food, since they increase the occurrence of acidic reflux.  You should avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol, as these drinks increase stomach acidity and increase chances of reflux. There are other foods which are also to be avoided, which include peppermint, garlic, onion, chocolates and foods containing these ingredients. There are certain foods that prevent acidic reflux from happening. These include green tea, as green tea acts as an antioxidant, and polyphenols. Anti-oxidant and poly phenols protect the body from Barrett’s esophagus and the development of cancer. 

Precautions and prevention of Barrett's Esophagus

There are certain precautions to be taken to avoid getting this disease. You should maintain a healthy lifestyle by keeping a heathy weight according to your body’s needs. You should not wear tightly fitted clothes as they can apply pressure on the stomach. Also, as smoking is a risk factor for Barrett's esophagus, it should be avoided. People should avoid eating fatty foods as they cause heart burn. Always eat in moderation. Overeating causes gastric reflux, hence causing GERD. After having a meal, one should not lie down immediately. One should wait at least for thirty minutes to an hour after having a meal.

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