Barrett's esophagus is a disease that is the main complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease and is considered by specialists as a precancerous condition. In this pathology, changes in the epithelial layer of the esophageal mucosa are detected, characterized by the presence of a non-characteristic for the norm of the cylindrical epithelium instead of a flat multilayered one (the cylindrical epithelium normally refers to the intestinal mucosa). This replacement of cells is associated with chronic damage to the mucous membrane of the esophagus by gastric acids, which causes destructive inflammatory processes.
Symptoms of Barrett's esophagus
Barrett's esophagus can not be diagnosed only on the basis of a clinical picture, this disease has no specific symptoms. But still more often patients with such a diagnosis make the following complaints:
- frequent occurrence of heartburn, which worries for a long time;
- frequent belching (air, sour, bitterness);
- a feeling of discomfort in the throat after a meal, increasing with tilts and lying down;
- bitter taste in the mouth;
- disorder of the swallowing function (during a meal, with swallowing of saliva);
- vomiting (sometimes with a bloody admixture);
- nausea;
- pain in the epigastric region, which can occur after eating or regardless of food intake;
- frequent hiccough ;
- sensation of a lump in the throat;
- hoarseness;
- sharp weight loss.
When suspected of pathology, special instrumental and laboratory tests are appointed, the main of which is endoscopy of the esophagus and stomach with biopsy.
Is Barrett's esophagus being treated?
Patients diagnosed with this pathology are subject to mandatory and urgent treatment in order to avoid the development of irreversible changes in the tissues of the esophagus mucosa and the appearance of cancer cells. The treatment is carried out under regular control by means of a biopsy, which makes it possible to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment measures, and in time to identify possible complications. The prognosis for symptoms of Barrett's esophagus depends on the timeliness of treatment and compliance with all medical prescriptions.
Conservative treatment of Barrett's esophagus is aimed at reducing gastroesophageal reflux, protecting the mucosa of the esophagus, inhibiting acid formation in the stomach, eliminating unpleasant symptoms. The main components of conservative therapy are discussed below.
Diet and diet
Patients are recommended:
- Exclude the use of sour, fried, spicy, smoked dishes, marinades, chocolate, products that cause gas production.
- Do not eat hot and cold food.
- Eat small meals 5-6 times a day.
Rejection of bad habits
It means smoking, drinking alcohol. It is also necessary to normalize physical activity, avoiding excessive stress on the abdominal press.
Medication
The following drugs are prescribed:
- blockers of the proton pump;
- antacids;
- antibiotics (against the Helicobacter pylori bacterium when it is detected);
- enzymes ;
- prokinetics;
- alginates.
Surgical treatment of Barrett's esophagus
In the absence of the effectiveness of conservative techniques and in the complicated course of the disease, surgical treatment is prescribed, in which the sites of pathologically altered mucosal tissues of the esophagus are removed. Basically, surgical treatment of Barrett's esophagus is carried out by endoscopic minimally invasive methods. The most modern methods of conducting the operation are radiofrequency ablation and laser removal.
Barrett's esophagus treatment with folk remedies
There are many alternative methods of treating this pathology, which can be applied with the permission of a doctor. A popular and quite effective method of folk treatment is the reception of sea buckthorn oil, which is beneficial to the walls of the esophagus. Sea-buckthorn oil is taken twice - three times a day by a teaspoon before a meal with a course of 1-2 months.