What is Barrett’s esophagitis and how is it treated?
Barrett’s esophagitis, also called Barrett’s esophagus, is an irritation in the lining of the esophagus caused by chronic reflux of the contents from the stomach and small intestine into the esophagus. There are a number of risk factors for the development of Barrett’s esophagus, including: • Early onset of reflux symptoms • Long duration of reflux symptoms • Reflux symptoms at night Patients at greatest risk of developing Barrett’s are Caucasian males over age 50 who have a history of chronic heartburn. The symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus are similar to the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These include a burning sensation under the chest and acid regurgitation. These symptoms generally decrease with medications that reduce acid in the stomach. Some people with Barrett’s may also have difficulty swallowing. This symptom requires immediate medical attention. The only way to confirm the diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus is with a test called an upper endoscopy. This in
