Barrett's esophagus (patient information): Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
==What is Barrett's esophagus?== | ==What is Barrett's esophagus?== | ||
Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which the tissue lining the esophagus—the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach—is replaced by tissue that is similar to the lining of the intestine. This process is called intestinal metaplasia. | |||
No signs or symptoms are associated with Barrett’s esophagus, but it is commonly found in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A small number of people with Barrett’s esophagus develop a rare but often deadly type of cancer of the esophagus. | |||
The average age at diagnosis is 50, but determining when the problem started is usually difficult. Men develop Barrett’s esophagus twice as often as women, and Caucasian men are affected more frequently than men of other races. Barrett’s esophagus is uncommon in children. | |||
==What are the symptoms of Barrett's esophagus?== | ==What are the symptoms of Barrett's esophagus?== |
Revision as of 14:19, 28 July 2009
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-in-Chief: Meagan E. Doherty
Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
What is Barrett's esophagus?
Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which the tissue lining the esophagus—the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach—is replaced by tissue that is similar to the lining of the intestine. This process is called intestinal metaplasia.
No signs or symptoms are associated with Barrett’s esophagus, but it is commonly found in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A small number of people with Barrett’s esophagus develop a rare but often deadly type of cancer of the esophagus.
The average age at diagnosis is 50, but determining when the problem started is usually difficult. Men develop Barrett’s esophagus twice as often as women, and Caucasian men are affected more frequently than men of other races. Barrett’s esophagus is uncommon in children.
What are the symptoms of Barrett's esophagus?
What are the causes of Barrett's esophagus?
Who is at risk for Barrett's syndrome?
How to know you have Barrett's esophagus?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Barrett's esophagus
Directions to Hospitals Treating Barrett's disease