As per Neil Sharma MD, you may be worried about your Barrett's esophagus cough, but you shouldn't be! GERD is the cause of this relatively uncommon condition. People with GERD are three to five times more likely to develop Barrett's esophagus. Ask your doctor if you're at risk for GERD, and get tested to rule it out.
Heartburn and acid regurgitation are the most frequent symptoms of Barrett's esophagus cough. If you have heartburn more than twice per week, you may have Barrett's esophagus. Additionally, you may experience a persistent sore throat and a sour taste in the mouth. In addition, you may have bad breath. You should undergo a screening for Barrett's esophagus as soon as possible, as it can negatively impact your quality of life.
In the case of advanced Barrett's esophagus, endoscopy, an outpatient procedure performed by gastroenterologists to examine the esophageal lining, may be required. Endoscopy is able to detect abnormal cells that may lead to cancer. Every three to five years, depending on the stage of Barrett's esophagus, you may require follow-up endoscopies. A yearly follow-up endoscopy may also be required.
Optional treatments for Barrett's esophagus include acid-reducing drugs and radiofrequency ablation. This procedure involves esophageal tissue removal. You will be sedated for the duration of the procedure. Limiting the amount of acidic foods you consume, reducing your portion size, and quitting smoking are additional treatment options. A therapist can also give you a drug that reduces inflammation to help ease your symptoms. Additionally, a therapist can prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to help alleviate your symptoms.
Neil Sharma MD noted that the symptoms of Barrett's esophagus frequently begin without any other symptoms and are only detected when GERD or esophageal cancer is present. Although Barrett's esophagus cough is asymptomatic, the disease has the potential to be fatal. Barrett's esophagus is more prevalent in GERD patients, but it can also occur without GERD.
The majority of the time, a gastroenterologist will use an upper endoscopy to check for changes in the esophageal lining. The tissue will also be examined using an endomicroscope, a flexible, lighted tube with a camera at its tip. Another treatment option is a biopsy, which involves removing a small sample of tissue and sending it to a pathology lab for analysis.
People who suffer from heartburn are susceptible to developing Barrett's esophagus. This condition is caused by stomach acid washing up into the esophagus. This results in acid reflux and harms esophageal cells. Barrett's esophagus can progress to esophageal cancer if left untreated. A physician can prescribe medications to alleviate heartburn and Barrett's esophagus symptoms.
If you suspect you have Barrett's esophagus, it is imperative that you see a doctor immediately. This condition increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer. Your physician can conduct tests to detect precancerous cells. Barrett's esophagus can be treated before it progresses to cancer if detected early. Although the majority of individuals with the condition will never develop esophageal cancer, the risk of developing the disease increases with time.
Barrett's esophagus symptoms are more prevalent in patients with fewer GERD symptoms. If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may be able to prescribe a proton pump inhibitor to suppress stomach acid, according to Neil Sharma MD. The drugs may be effective for a short time, but they can cause mutations in the esophagus. In severe cases, surgery may be an option for treatment.