My name is Melinda Johnson and I suffered with foot pain for many years. I went to see a podiatrist and after an examination, I was told that I had heel spur syndrome. I followed the recommendations of my doctor by doing at home treatments along with physical therapy. I was amazed at how much these treatments helped my foot pain. Living with pain can have a big impact on your life and that's why I started this blog. My foot pain kept me from doing many things that I enjoy and I want to help others who are going through the same situation. As you browse through my blog, you'll learn about home treatments, medical procedures and new advancements in medicine that can help reduce pain. It is my hope that by writing this blog, you can live pain free too.
Loving My Pain Free Life
Treatment Options For Barrett's Esophagus
Claire Roberts
Long-term suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, could result in the development of Barrett's esophagus. If you have been recently diagnosed with this condition, it is important that you understand your treatment options.
What Is Barrett's Esophagus?
Barrett's esophagus is a digestive condition that causes changes to the tissue that lines the esophagus--the tube connecting your mouth and stomach. There are no specific symptoms that result from the condition, but since it is closely associated with and sometimes results from GERD, you can experience symptoms of that condition. For instance, you might have trouble swallowing food and suffer frequent heartburn. Barrett's esophagus is also sometimes a precursor to esophageal cancer.
How Is It Treated?
The treatment options your gastroenterologist exercises depends largely on your overall health and if the replaced tissue becomes enlarged or causes other organs to become enlarged. One of the most important things the specialist will do is monitor your condition. If there are no changes to the tissue, your doctor will continue to monitor you.
Your gastroenterologist will also treat you for the GERD symptoms you experience. Treatments can include the use of over-the-counter and prescription medications. However, if the symptoms worsen, surgery could be necessary. Your specialist can reduce the flow of stomach acid that is causing your symptoms by tightening the lower esophageal sphincter.
If the replaced tissue or the affected organs do become enlarged, your specialist might choose to remove the tissue. There are several available methods for removing the tissue, including using a cold liquid to freeze and thaw the affected tissue repeatedly to kill the cells causing the growth.
If there is no relief found through removing the affected tissue, your doctor could opt to remove the part of your esophagus that is damaged.
What Can You Do?
Changes to your current lifestyle are key in keeping the GERD-related symptoms under control. This can include losing weight and avoiding foods that trigger heartburn. You can also elevate your head when lying down to keep stomach acid from traveling upwards. After eating, you can also wait before lying down. If you smoke, now is the time to quit. Smoking can aggravate the symptoms of the condition.
You cannot ignore the symptoms you are experiencing. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it could be a sign that your condition has worsened. Find a gastroenterologist to discuss your symptoms and what other steps you can take to get relief.
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