When should I get an endoscopy for Barrett’s esophagus?

If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is the main risk factor for developing Barrett’s esophagus, your doctor will most likely want to determine the cause of your ongoing GERD. GERD is a condition where acid from the stomach comes out into the esophagus (a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is made of different layers). If the stomach acid comes out often over a long amount of time this is GERD. To determine the cause of a person’s GERD, a doctor will schedule an upper endoscopy during which a doctor uses a long flexible camera to see the inside of your upper GI tract while you are under light sedation. Your doctor may also recommend testing for Barrett’s espophagus based on your past medical history and if you have factors that increase your risk of having Barrett’s esophagus like male sex, over age 50, or Caucasian (white) ethnicity. Endoscopy detects most (~80%) of cases of Barrett’s esophagus. In some individuals, the anatomy of the esophagus where it meets the stomach may make the diagnoses more difficult to ascertain. Talk to your doctor about when using endoscopy to diagnose Barrett’s esophagus may be right for you.

Other Questions About Barrett’s esophagus

• Will I need to have more endoscopies for Barrett’s esophagus?
• Will I need surgery for Barrett’s esophagus?
• Where can I find others with Barrett’s esophagus?
• When should I get an endoscopy for Barrett’s esophagus?
• What other health problems are caused by Barrett’s esophagus?