Barrett’s Esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus is when the inside of your esophagus begins to resemble the lining of your intestine, and it occurs in approximately 10% of those who suffer from GERD. People with Barrett’s esophagus don’t have specific symptoms, but they do face a greater likelihood of developing esophageal cancer.

Symptoms and Risk Factors

If you’ve had chronic acid reflux, it may be a sign of a more serious digestive condition. Risk factors include chronic acid reflux, obesity, smoking, and having a family history of GERD or esophageal cancer. Men over 50 and those with a history of GERD are at higher risk. It’s crucial to monitor and manage these risk factors with a gastroenterologist at Digestive Health to reduce the likelihood that you will develop complications.

Diagnosing Barrett’s Esophagus at Digestive Health Center

At Digestive Health Center in Reno, Nevada, we diagnose Barrett’s esophagus through an upper endoscopy where a thin, flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) is inserted into the esophagus to examine the tissue lining.

If necessary, a biopsy is taken during the procedure to analyze the cells for any abnormal changes. This helps our gastroenterologists assess the extent of the condition and identify potential progression toward esophageal cancer.