Barrett's Esophagus North Carolina

Stomach acid is a powerful substance that helps you digest food, but if it enters your upper digestive system through the top of the stomach, it may cause a condition called Barrett's Esophagus. North Carolina residents who struggle with this condition can rely on Carolina Digestive Health Associates to provide a full range of gastrointestinal health services and screenings. Our 14 highly trained gastroenterologists provide patient care in eight offices, five endoscopy clinics, and within every major hospital in the Charlotte area.

What Is Barrett’s Esophagus?

The esophagus is the organ responsible for carrying food from your throat into your stomach for digestion. Stomach acid is a highly corrosive substance. When the esophagus fails to close at the top of the stomach, acid can leak into the esophagus and damage its lining. Over time, the lining of the esophagus becomes more like intestinal lining due to repeated exposure to harmful stomach acid, making it harder for the esophagus to completely seal off from the stomach after eating.

People who experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for an extended time face the greatest risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus. Repeated exposures to stomach acid from acid reflux damages the lining of the lower esophagus. As scar tissues form, the esophagus has more difficulty closing completely, creating a compounding effect that worsens with time.

Common Symptoms of Barrett’s Esophagus

Most people who develop Barrett’s esophagus experience this condition as a result of long-term GERD or acid reflux. The tissue changes that help identify Barrett’s esophagus do not cause any noticeable symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they generally include frequent heartburn, difficulty swallowing foods, and chest pain in rare cases.

A gastroenterologist will generally test for Barret’s esophagus using endoscopy. During this procedure, the doctor places a thin, flexible tube with a camera into the patient’s esophagus to check for signs of damage or dysplasia. If the doctor notices polyps or signs of esophageal cancer, he or she may surgically remove the polyps or take a sample for biopsy with a surgical endoscope.

Are There Risks of Other Conditions From Barrett’s Esophagus?

Some people develop Barrett's esophagus with no apparent cause and no noticeable symptoms. Others develop it without ever having a history of GERD or acid reflux. Most Barrett's esophagus cases arise with individuals who have had GERD for long periods of time, usually years. Although Barrett's esophagus can make it more difficult to manage the symptoms of GERD or acid reflux, most people with Barrett's esophagus do not develop esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus only leads to a minor increase in the risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Despite the apparently minimal increase in esophageal cancer risk, there is a chance for the cells and tissues damaged by GERD and acid reflux to turn to dysplasia or precancerous tissue. This dysplasia may then escalate to esophageal cancer.

When to See a Doctor About Barrett’s Esophagus

About 20% of all Americans experience heartburn symptoms once or twice per week. These individuals are at an increased risk of developing GERD or experiencing changes in the lining of the esophagus, which in turn leads to Barrett’s esophagus. Eventually, these altered tissues may turn to dysplasia and then cancer. About 10% to 15% of people with GERD develop Barrett’s esophagus, and developing Barrett’s esophagus may or may not entail noticeable symptoms.

However, esophageal adenocarcinoma is a potentially fatal form of esophageal cancer and Barrett’s esophagus does create a higher risk of developing this form of cancer. If you experience persistent symptoms of GERD, chest pain after meals, or your acid reflux disease does not respond to conventional treatment, then you should probably make time to speak with a gastroenterologist as soon as possible.

Finding reliable screening procedures and effective treatments is essential for Barrett’s esophagus. North Carolina residents who have struggled with GERD for an extended time or experience persistent acid reflux symptoms can come to Carolina Digestive Health Associates and meet with one of our 14 highly experienced gastroenterologists. Contact us today at (704) 324-8776 during usual business hours to schedule an appointment with us.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group of gastroenterologists serving the residents of North Carolina. We have fourteen highly rated GI doctors who provide service at eight offices and five endoscopy centers. Our doctors work in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Our physicians, together with our highly trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners, cover a wide range of specialties and are skilled in diagnosis and treatment. Whether you have chronic problems with your digestive tract, a recent, acute attack or simply want a checkup, our team is here in North Carolina to help you reach your healthcare goals.

What We Do

Our team of gastroenterologists in North Carolina is trained to diagnose gastric conditions involving the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the colon and the rectum. Once we make a diagnosis, we can form a treatment plan tailored to the specific patient and their needs. Some of the common conditions we treat include:

• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver
• Gallstone
• Gastritis
• GERD
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Obesity
• Ulcers

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating these conditions and many more. North Carolina residents in the Charlotte area have come to trust our expertise and our friendly customer service.

Procedures

Our specialists cover a wide variety of fields within gastroenterology and can perform an array of procedures once they have made a diagnosis. Some of the more common procedures are:

• Rectal manometry. This test determines if the rectum is functioning properly and helps to diagnose fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
• Breath test. A GI doctor can diagnose certain digestive conditions by measuring the gases which a patient exhales.
• Colonoscopy. By means of a camera inserted into the body, doctors can view the intestine and look for polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and even cancer.
• Polypectomy. If doctors discover polyps during an endoscopy, they will use this procedure to remove them.
• Upper endoscopy. Similar to a colonoscopy, this procedure views the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum for inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.
• Esophageal manometry. This test is to determine the strength of the muscles that you use to swallow, which can affect conditions like heartburn.
• Feeding tubes. A GI doctor can insert a feeding tube when necessary if a patient is not able to feed him or herself.
• ORBERA Gastric Balloon. The FDA has approved our non-surgical program to help patients lose weight and form healthy habits to maintain a stable, healthy weight in the long term.

Research

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina, we participate in many clinical research trials. Medicine is a field that constantly advances, and we encourage and participate in this process to discover new and better ways to diagnose and treat digestive disorders. Sometimes, these trials provide treatment options to our patients in North Carolina that they would not be able to get anywhere else.

When Should You Come to See Us?

Persistent or severe symptoms are reasons to schedule a consultation with us in North Carolina. We also recommend regular screenings starting at age 45 for colon cancer. You may need to see a general practitioner first to get a referral. Come see us if you experience any of the following:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements a week means constipation. If it persists, contact us.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, but if it doesn't go away it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Heartburn. A burning your stomach and chest could be your stomach acid inflaming the lining of your esophagus.
• Stomach pain. Severe stomach pain could mean you have a gallstone. More persistent, burning pain could be an ulcer.
• Bloating. If you bloat after a meal, your body might be reacting to something you ate. A gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause.
• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum are swollen or feel irritated, you may have hemorrhoids, which a GI doctor can treat.
• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if there is red in the water after a bowel movement, you may have a severe problem that requires immediate attention.

For any of the above symptoms or a cancer screening in North Carolina, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a consultation. Call us at (704) 324-8776 and let one of our highly skilled gastroenterologists assist you.