Stomach acid does more to you than burn and cause Acid Reflux. Not to be confused with GERD or Acid Reflux disease, Berrett’s Esophagus is a condition that damages and changes the color of the lower esophagus’ cells.
In addition to this, Barrett’s Esophagus increases the risk of esophageal cancer. While the risk of cancer is not large, it creates an abundance of precancerous cells, which can quickly and easily develop into cancer.
Barrett’s Esophagus is more than just uncomfortable. It prepares ground in your throat for esophageal cancer, which affects over 18,000 Americans annually. This concerns all people, but more so for men than women since Esophageal Cancer affects 1 in 125 men while it only affects 1 in 435 women. This should chiefly concern you if you are a man who has experienced:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing food
- Dry cough
- Frequent heartburn
- Upper abdominal pain
And you should quickly seek advice from a professional such as Arlington Gastroenterology Services if you experience:
- Black, Tarry or bloody stools
- Chest Pain
- Coffee Ground-Textured vomit, which is red in color
- Difficulty Swallowing
Like most cancer-causing diseases, Barrett’s Esophagus’ causes are generally unknown. If you are affected by Barrett’s Esophagus, you probably have a long history with GERD. When the body tries to heal the throat after repeated stomach washes into the esophagus, stomach acid can change further damage and even change those cells into precancerous cells, which are commonly found in Barrett’s Esophagus. There are still people who have never had heartburn or acid reflux, but still have Barrett’s Esophagus. This is why it is unclear as to what specifically is the root of the issue.
There are risk factors that increase the chances of having Barrett’s Esophagus which include having chronic heartburn and acid. If you are worried that you may have Barrett-s Esophagus or may be developing cancer, you should consult the specialists at Arlington Gastroenterology Services to assess your risk and seek treatment. You are in control of your health and AGS Texas can help, so contact us today.
