Our body is like an antique clock full of mechanisms that, as quickly as they work perfectly, can rust and need urgent maintenance to avoid falling apart. Barrett's oesophagus It is one of the “chronic ailments” that our body can present and that we treat at our digestive centre in Madrid. It is a A condition caused by chronic irritation of the inner lining of our oesophagus, in the area where it connects to the stomach.
Although in principle this disease No It's oesophageal cancer, yes predisposes to its appearance, which is why it is important to monitor and treat it so as not to put our health at risk and to improve our quality of life.
What could cause Barrett's oesophagus?
The oesophagus is a tube-shaped organ that connects the stomach to the mouth. Sometimes, the muscles that separate the oesophagus from the stomach do not close properly and The acid from food is leaked, causing gastroesophageal reflux.
The main cause of EB appearance is suffering from one Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (ERGE) for a prolonged period. People with this chronic illness tend to suffer oesophageal lesions due to excess acid reflux. When the lining of the oesophagus becomes inflamed, the cells lining it try to adapt to defend it, which is known as ‘intestinal metaplasia’. This alteration of the tissues is one of the main conditions of Barrett's oesophagus.
The presence of Intestinal metaplasia Dysplasia increases the chances of oesophageal cancer developing, although, in most patients, the BE does not progress to this stage.
Other risk factors that can cause oesophageal irritation and Barrett's oesophagus include obesity and a family history. It is diagnosed using More frequent in middle-aged and elderly men, with higher probabilities if they are smokers.
How do I know if I have Barrett's oesophagus?
The symptoms of Barrett's oesophagus are similar to those of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. If you notice a burning sensation or heartburn in your abdomen, or difficulty swallowing, You could be at risk of developing Barrett's oesophagus.
The most effective way to detect this condition is See a gastroenterologist specialist which, through different methods such as gastroscopy, can make a reliable diagnosis to resolve your doubts and help you remedy it if necessary.
And our centre in Madrid carries out various procedures to diagnose, monitor and, if necessary Treating Barrett's oesophaguschromendoscopy, Endoscopic mucosal resection y Radiofrequency ablation.
If you come to our Centre for Gastroenterology and Advanced Endoscopy in Madrid, We will carry out a diagnosis of your situation to offer the best solution based on the condition of your illness.
