Ask A Healer Health Challenge Series

What is Barrett's Esophagus?
© Neva J Howell, All Rights Reserved

I had never heard of this health challenge until an acquaintance of mine mentioned that her husband, after going through a battery of medical tests, was told that he might have it.

There isn't a great deal of information on this condition, when compared to the body of health care info available on related conditions, GERD and Acid Reflux Disease.

I was suprised to learn, when I started researching it for my friend, that about 70,000 adults have Barrett's Esophagus. This information according to an FDA talk paper on Barrett's Esophagus

Esophageal Cancer Concerns Addressed:
It can be a little confusing to determine where Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, stops and Barrett's Esophagus begins.

For example, the same medications are sometimes prescribed for both conditions. Also, a person who develops Barrett's Esophagus first developed either GERD or acid reflux. So when does GERD birth this secondary health condition?

Over time, the acid which chronically backs up into the esophagus with both these conditions actually begins to change the esophageal lining.

It is the chronic effect of stomach acids bathing the esophageal lining that changes the esophageal lining, even the color of it. Instead of the normal pink color associated with a healthy esophagus, the lining becomes a deeper color, often described as salmon-colored. This change is a result of the body attempting to protect the esophagus from stomach acids.

Though the stomach can handle these acids and indeed some stomach acids are needed for proper digestive processes, the esophagus cannot handle them and attempts to protect by changing it's lining to resist further acid damage.

At this point, the person with GERD may be told they also have Barrett's Esophagus. The changed, damaged lining of the esophagus now may put the patient at risk for developing high grade dysplasia and could lead to esophageal cancer if left untreated.

Most diagnosed with this type of cancer are over the age of 50, and male. Women can also get this condition but men are more likely to develop it.

What is High Grade Dysplasia? In researching this term, my best understanding is that high grade dysplasia indicates abnormal growth in cells that is considered to be pre-cancerous. more on high grade dysplasia and Barrett's esophagus

Part Two: Symptoms of Barrett's Esophagus
Part Three: Barrett's Esophagus Risk Factors
Part Four: Barrett's Esophagus Treatments


What is GERD * Reducing Heart Stress with Herbs

Natural Remedies for GERD:
There are natural approaches to dealing with GERD which focus on supporting the body's natural healing mechanisms through the use of herbal, homeopathic, nutritional and/or other holistic wellbeing suppplements. While not being presented as a replacement for needed medical attention, Many benefit from non-prescription approaches to helping the body restore balance and normal function. Read more about natural GERD remedies here

What is GERD * Reducing Heart Stress with Herbs

Holistic Wellbeing Disclaimer: This information is given for educational purposes and not intended to replace any needed medical testing. An endoscopy (a medical procedure where a tube with a light is put down your throat) can allow a doctor to see if salmon-colored skin or other characteristic changes have occurred in the esophagus. If you have exhibited the symptoms covered, are at risk, or have had GERD for a long time, ask your doctor if you need to be monitored for Barrett's Esophagus.