Contents:
- Medical Video: Heartburn, Acid Reflux, GERD-Mayo Clinic
- What is Barrett Esophagus?
- Why can stomach acid continue to cause esophageal Barrage disease?
- Can Barrett's disease be cured?
- Lifestyle adjustments that need to be done if you have GERD
Medical Video: Heartburn, Acid Reflux, GERD-Mayo Clinic
GERD is a digestive disease characterized by an increase in stomach acid (reflux) and the emergence of various other accompanying symptoms that recur at least more than twice per week. GERD itself is actually not deadly, but if not handled properly the complications can be dangerous. One dangerous disease that can occur due to increased stomach acid is Barrett's esophagus.
What is Barrett Esophagus?
Esophageal Barrett disease is a precancerous lesion in the esophagus which is one of the most serious complications of GERD. However, not everyone who has GERD will definitely get Barrett's, said Prof. Dr. Dr. Ari Fahrial Syam, Sp.PD-KGEH, MMB, FINASIM, FACP, when met by the Hello Sehat team at the inauguration of the Indonesian Gastrointestinal Foundation (YGI) on Friday (31/8). Prof. Dr. Dr. Ari Fahrial Syam is a consultant expert in gastroenterology-hepatology, who also serves as dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia.
This is because Barrett's esophagus is a fairly rare disease. It is estimated that only about 10% of people with chronic (prolonged) GERD eventually experience Barrett's disease.
Why can stomach acid continue to cause esophageal Barrage disease?
Barrette disease usually occurs when GERD has developed quite badly. If it continues to recur, stomach acid that rises for a long time can erode the lining of the esophagus to cause inflamed wounds.
Inflammation then causes the esophageal tissue to gradually break down and be replaced by tissue that is more like tissue in the intestine. This abnormal change is called metaplasia. It is the esophageal tissue damage that can cause precancerous sores called Barrett's esophagus.
Can Barrett's disease be cured?
According to Dr. Ari, the esophageal barrage can be treated through various available medical procedures.
But what needs to be understood, the symptoms of Barrett's disease are similar to chronic GERD so that it is more difficult to detect. So diagnosing Barrett's also requires clinical observation that is quite complicated and time-consuming.
In general, when chronic GERD has been treated for 2-5 months but does not recover, aka symptoms persist, doctors can raise suspicion about Barrett's risk. The doctor will then do an endoscopy and check the condition of your gastric pH to confirm the diagnosis of Barrett. If it is proven that there is a presence of precancerous lesions in the esophagus, endoscopy must be done regularly on a regular basis.
Lifestyle adjustments that need to be done if you have GERD
In addition, you also need to prevent stomach acid from rising during treatment of Barrett's esophagus. This also applies to preventing or reducing your risk of Barrett's disease.
Begin applying the following healthy lifestyles for a healthier digestion and health:
- Reducing fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, and peppermint which can aggravate stomach acid reflux
- Avoid alcohol, acidic drinks and soda.
- Quit smoking.
- Sleep with your head higher to prevent stomach acid from rising.
- Don't lie down immediately after eating. Give it at least 2 hours after the new meal is lying down.
- Take regular medication and balance with drinking lots of water.
Although not everyone with GERD will experience an esophageal barrage, you must remain cautious.
People who have GERD disease as well as Barret's disease simultaneously are more likely to develop esophageal cancer (esophageal adarsaroma) than people who only have GERD. But again, the risk of esophageal cancer as a complication of GERD is also rare. Less than 1% of cases of Barrett can become esophageal cancer. However, you should always carry out regular controls so that the doctor will find the possibility of pre-cancerous lesions and cancer cells earlier before spreading.
