Barretts/Heartburn/Acid Reflux
Acid Reflux (also called Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease, or GORD/GERD) is caused by a weak muscle in your oesophagus called the Lower Oesophageal Sphincter (LOS). The LOS is your body’s reflux barrier. Normally your reflux barrier acts like a one-way valve, allowing food and liquid to pass into the stomach, but preventing stomach contents from flowing back into the oesophagus. In people with reflux, the reflux barrier allows harmful acid and bile to flow back into the Oesophagus.
Did you know? There are over 65 Million people in the UK and it is estimated that over 1 in 10 people suffer from Reflux Disease. Reflux disease can have a terrible impact on a patients quality of life affecting many aspects of their everyday functioning. For many people, this can be managed effectively with lifestyle changes and/or medication prescribed by their GP such as omeprazole and lansoprazole (as well as others). However there are over 2 million people in the UK who do not respond effectively to this treatment and for these people, there are other options they can consider to treat their disease with Anti Reflux Surgery LINX, RefluxStop, The TIF Procedure (Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication). More information on these options can be found on our website.
Useful websites
GORD/GERD Awareness Week – GORD Awareness – The OPA
Order Acid Reflux pack – https://opa.org.uk/product/acid-reflux-awareness-pack/
Mr Nicholas Boyle – A few facts about reflux – https://opa.org.uk/mr-nicholas-boyle-a-few-facts-about-reflux/
Goodnight Acid Reflux, Hello Sleep! Bed Wedge special offer – https://opa.org.uk/bed-wedge-special-offer/
RefluxUK – https://refluxuk.com/
LINX – https://www.jnjmedicaldevices.com/en-GB/treatment/LINX-reflux-surgery
Diagnosis tool –https://refluxuk.com/symptom-checker
Cyted – https://www.cytedhealth.com/
Functional Gut Clinic – https://thefunctionalgutclinic.com/
Symptoms Acid Reflux/Heartburn
- Hoarseness
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Asthma
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
- Shortness of breath
- Hiccups
If you experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis then you should consult your GP. You will not be wasting anyone’s time by getting your symptoms checked out – in fact you owe it to yourself and your family to do so. It may be nothing to worry about in which case your mind will be put at rest. Seeing your doctor without delay may save your life.
How is Reflux disease diagnosed?
There are several tests that your consultant may use to diagnose reflux disease. Here are some examples.
Response to medication A trial of PPI medication may be used to confirm diagnosis in patients with typical symptoms.
OGD – Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD), also known as upper Endoscopy, is a test that examines the oesophagus and LOS for evidence of reflux disease.
pH – pH monitoring using a probe in the oesophagus near the stomach measures the level of oesophageal acid exposure.
Treatments for Heartburn/Acid Reflux
Barrett’s Oesophagus
Barrett’s oesophagus means that some cells in the lining of your food pipe have started to change. In a small number of people these cells may develop into oesophageal cancer over a long period of time.
What is Barrett’s Oesophagus?
The cells lining the food pipe are normally flat. They’re called squamous cells. In Barrett’s oesophagus they change into a type more like the columnar (column-shaped) cells in the lining of the small and large bowel.
The cells may grow abnormally. Doctors call this dysplasia. The dysplasia can be low grade or high grade. The grade means how abnormal the cells look under a microscope. The more abnormal they look, the higher the grade.
What is the risk of developing oesophageal cancer?
Barrett’s oesophagus can increase your risk of cancer of the oesophagus, although the risk is still small. Many people with Barrett’s oesophagus do not develop cancer. Between 3 and 13 people out of 100 (between 3 and 13%) with Barrett’s oesophagus in the UK will develop oesophageal adenocarcinoma in their lifetime. And each year, less than 1 in 100 people with Barrett’s (less than 1%) develop oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Your risk of developing oesophageal cancer is higher if you have more severe cell changes (high grade dysplasia).
Risks and causes
- Barrett’s oesophagus is more common in men than women. And it is also more common in older people. Other risk factors include:
- having a history of acid reflux symptoms
being overweight and your fat being mainly around your waist (abdominal obesity)
Find out more about research into the causes of Barrett’s oesophagus
Symptoms
Many people with Barrett’s oesophagus don’t have any symptoms. Doctors may find the changes in the cells when you have tests for something else. Long term indigestion and heartburn is the most common symptom. Many people have indigestion and heartburn and it doesn’t usually mean anything is wrong. But see your GP to get checked if you have indigestion on most days for 3 weeks or more or if it is getting worse. You may also have difficulty swallowing food. Or food may come back up from the stomach into the food pipe but this is less common.
See your doctor as soon as possible if you have problems swallowing or food coming back up.
Tests
Your doctor will send you for an endoscopy if they think you might have Barrett’s oesophagus.
This test looks inside your food pipe to find any changes. It uses a long flexible tube with a light
on the end.
Coping
It can be difficult to cope with knowing that you have Barrett’s oesophagus. You may worry about the chance of developing cancer. Finding out about the condition and its treatment can help some people feel more in control.
Talk to the Cancer Research UK information nurses on freephone 0808 800 40 40. Lines are open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Treatment
Some treatments aim to control symptoms and reduce the risk of the abnormal cells developing into cancer. They lower the amount of acid the stomach produces.Other treatments remove or treat the damaged areas in the lining of the food pipe.
Read more information about the treatment of Barrett’s oesophagus
This information is from Cancer Research UK – https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/other-conditions/barretts-oesophagus/about-barrett%27s
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