Barrett's Esophagus in Little Rock, AR

There are no obvious signs associated with the cellular modifications of Barrett’s esophagus. A lot of times, individuals with this GI condition will not notice any indications or symptoms.

Among the symptoms connected with Barrett’s esophagus are:

• Unyielding heartburn (acid reflux)
• Swallowing trouble
• Chest pain (not as common)

If you have been experiencing heartburn or other similar issues for prolonged periods, we encourage you to talk with your GastroArkansas provider and be tested by your gastroenterologist. The only definite way to find out whether you have Barrett’s esophagus is to perform an upper GI endoscopy and take an exam of the cells in your esophagus.

The treatment for Barrett’s esophagus is unique to other GI afflictions. The particular intervention you receive depends on the extent of atypical cell growth, referred to as dysplasia, in your esophageal lining.

The varying degrees of dysplasia (precancerous tissue development) and possible solutions include:

• No dysplasia: Although no precancerous tissue is present, it is still important to arrange routine endoscopies by your doctor to detect modifications to the cells in the esophagus. Your gastroenterologist will also usually recommend care much like those who have GERD (like behavioral modifications or prescription drugs).
• Mild-grade dysplasia: With a low level of atypical cell growth, you might need to have endoscopic mucosal resection or radiofrequency ablation for removal.
• High-grade dysplasia: With a larger level of change in the esophageal tissue, freezing treatments, photodynamic treatments, or esophagectomy might be needed.