Barrett's Esophagus in San Antonio, TX

There are no noticeable symptoms associated with the tissue change in Barrett’s esophagus. Most of the time, individuals who have this GI problem will not show any indications.

In the event that you have been experiencing heartburn or any other similar symptoms of acid reflux for an extended duration of time, the San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates providers recommend talking with your digestive health specialist. The only way to know if you have Barrett’s esophagus is to undergo a front-end endoscopy and have a biopsy taken from the tissue lining in your esophagus.

Some of the symptoms connected with Barrett’s esophagus:

• Regular acid reflux (heartburn)
• Having trouble swallowing
• Chest pain (less common)

The treatment for Barrett’s esophagus is distinct from other GI diseases and given based on the degree of precancerous cell formation, called dysplasia, existing in your esophageal lining.

The varying stages of dysplasia and possible solutions are:

• Barrett's esophagus without dysplasia: Even if abnormal cells are not present, it is still vital to arrange routine testing with your gastroenterologist to look for changes in the esophageal cells. Your physician will also typically suggest solutions similar to those who have GERD, such as behavioral recommendations or prescription medication.
• Mild-grade dysplasia: With a low amount of precancerous cell formation, you may need to have endoscopic resection or radiofrequency ablation for therapy.
• High-grade dysplasia: With a higher level of precancerous esophageal lining, freezing treatments, light-based treatments, or esophagectomy might be necessary.