Heartburn may not seem like a big deal — and in most cases, it’s not. But when heartburn recurs regularly, it could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a common problem affecting as many as 40% of the world’s population.
Recurrent heartburn isn’t just uncomfortable. Unless it’s treated, the acid backwash that’s the hallmark of heartburn can lead to a more serious problem called Barrett’s esophagus.
At Digestive Disease Specialists in Moline, Illinois, and Bettendorf, Iowa, our team uses state-of-the-art techniques to diagnose and treat Barrett’s esophagus. Here, we provide an overview, including how it happens, why it’s serious, and how we can help prevent and treat it.
It’s easy to think of your esophagus as just a tube extending from your throat to your stomach. However, the esophagus is a complicated organ. At the stomach end, the esophagus features a muscular sphincter called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When you swallow, your sphincter keeps food and stomach acids from backing up or refluxing into your esophagus.
Heartburn and GERD happen when acids flow backward, past your LES, and into your esophagus. If you have untreated GERD, the recurrent backwashing of stomach acids and partially digested food can eventually damage your esophageal tissue, changing it into a tissue that’s more like the lining of your intestine.
Not everyone with GERD will go on to develop Barrett’s esophagus, but if you have untreated GERD, your odds are greater. Even more concerning, Barrett’s esophagus increases your risk of developing esophageal cancer.
When acid backwashes into your esophagus, it can cause a lot of symptoms, most notably sharp, stabbing pain in your chest or upper abdomen area. When acid backwashes into your upper esophagus or throat, you can sometimes have pain in your neck area too.
These symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a heart attack, which is why many people with GERD think they’re having a heart attack when symptoms flare — and why people having heart attacks can easily mistake their symptoms for heartburn. Bottom line: If you’re having unexplained chest pain, it’s a good idea to have it evaluated medically.
The undigested food particles and acids that backwash can be pretty aromatic too — and not in a pleasant way. If you have recurrent or chronic bad breath that doesn’t resolve with brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleaning, it could also be an indication of GERD or Barrett’s esophagus.
Barrett’s esophagus is also associated with risk factors you should know about, like:
If you’re being treated for GERD but it’s not responding well, this can increase your risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus.
If you have GERD, particularly GERD that’s hard to control, our team generally recommends an evaluation to assess your esophagus and especially your LES. Evaluations are performed using a special instrument called an endoscope.
Long, slim, and flexible, the endoscope features a bright light and a camera. During your evaluation, your provider passes the scope slowly down your throat, evaluating the entire length of your esophagus and sometimes your stomach. Endoscopy is performed using sedation, so you’ll nap through your procedure.
Endoscopy allows our team to carefully evaluate the tissue lining your esophagus and look for damage to your LES, as well. If we notice unusual changes in the tissue, we may take a small sample for further evaluation in a lab.
People diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus have an endoscopy regularly to look for early signs of cancer (or precancerous lesions) so treatment can begin as early as possible. Endoscopy also helps our team prescribe the best treatment to help protect your esophagus and manage your GERD more effectively.
Heartburn doesn’t always cause more serious problems, but some types of heartburn can lead to complications. If you have heartburn, having it evaluated is critically important for your health.
To find out what’s causing your heartburn symptoms, book an appointment online or over the phone with Digestive Disease Specialists today.
