All food taken orally reaches the stomach through the esophagus, known colloquially as the esophagus. There is a valve made of muscle tissue that prevents the stomach contents from going back to the esophagus, and when the muscles in this area are not closed enough, stomach contents and acids escape into the esophagus. If this condition, called gastroesophageal reflux, is repeated constantly, the stomach lining damages the esophageal surface and causes the Barrett esophagus condition to occur. If the stomach acid continues to irritate the cells in the inner surface of the esophagus, cancer can be seen in the future. Therefore, Barrett's esophagus treatment should be done as soon as possible. Specializing in the diagnosis and diagnosis of Ankara Barrett esophagus, Dr. In this content, where you can get answers to many questions from Meral Sözen, such as what is barrett's esophagus, what are its symptoms and causes, how is the diagnosis and treatment of barrett's esophagus, you will be able to take a look at many unknown issues about barrett's esophagus.
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What Is Barrett's Esophagus?
Barrett's esophagus, known as a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease, can be seen in 15% of GER patients. Columnar epithelium of any length in Barrett's esophagus and intestinal metaplasia with goblet cells are only possible with endoscopy. Although Barrett's esophagus is known as an acquired disorder, damage occurs as a result of the encounter of the squamous epithelium of the esophagus with bile reflux and gastric acid, and when the squamous epithelium is replaced by the columnar epithelium, Barrett's esophagus is encountered.
Barrett's esophagus, which starts at a young age, may be characterized by anatomical and physiological defects after esophageal acid exposure, which can be seen in severe reflux. Examples of these are large giatal hernias, dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter and esophageal wall contractility.
What Causes Barrett's Esophagus?
The cause of Barrett's esophagus is still not clearly determined to date, but stomach acid and bile fluids that trigger the emergence of the disease can be counted as the cause. Because gastric acid and bile fluids pass into the esophagus as a result of the insufficiency of the gastroesophageal sphincter and causes inflammation. Because the esophageal mucosa is covered with squamous epithelium and of course is not suitable for an acidic environment. With the continuous exposure of the esophagus to the acidic environment, the columnar epithelium undergoes metaplasia, which plays an important role in the development of Barrett's esophagus disease.
Although they have gastroesophageal reflux complaints, the number of patients with Barrett's esophagus in whom not much damage is seen in the endoscopic examination is not too small to be underestimated. It is a very big problem that it is still not determined which factor or mechanism causes Barrett's esophagus.
What Causes Barrett's Esophagus?
- Smoking, tobacco and alcohol use
- Helicobacter pylori bacteria
- Bile juices and stomach acids
- Birth-related anomalies
- gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Obesity
- Chemotherapies
- genetic factors
Many causes, such as complications from improper treatment, can invite Barrett's esophagus.
What Are the Symptoms of Barrett's Esophagus?
When Barrett's esophagus progresses, which does not cause a specific complaint, it causes gastritis, burning and reflux symptoms in patients. Obstruction, perforation and bleeding may also be seen in patients with Barrett's esophagus who have difficulty in swallowing and ulcers.
While esophageal adenocarcinoma may appear as the first complaint, Barrett's esophagus may also present itself with other symptoms.
How Is Barrett Esophagus Diagnosed, How Is It Treated?
ENT specialists, together with your Gastroenterologist, are the doctors who will help you diagnose Barrett's esophagus. If your doctor, who is trying to detect Barrett's esophagus with endoscopic imaging, deems it necessary, he will also take the pathological examination during the endoscopy. Barrett's esophagus, which is clearly diagnosed with many diagnostic aids such as the presence of gastroesophageal reflux, can be treated with medication and endoscopic treatment.
Except for the treatment of esophagitis, there is no specific drug treatment for Barrett's esophagus. In Barrett's esophagus, which is under control with acid-suppressing therapy, the endoscopic treatment method is also very successful. Endoscopic treatment for the removal of metaplastic and dysplastic tissue is based on drying the formations in the esophagus by burning or freezing.
Diagnosing and treating Barrett esophagus with endoscopy, Dr. If you would like to make an appointment with Meral Sözen to have your barrett's esophagus treatment treated and say hello to a brand new life, call us!
