Do you suffer from frequent episodes of acid reflux, which is commonly known as heartburn? Of course your heart isn't literally on fire, but tell that to the burning sensation in your chest. Even if you relieve these symptoms by using antacids or drugs prescribed by your doctor, have you ever wondered about the effects of this persistent acid reflux and the potential complications it can lead to in the long term? If your acid reflux symptoms are especially severe, you are at risk of a condition known as Barrett's esophagus.

The condition comes from the changes that can occur in the esophageal lining as a result of chronic acid reflux. It's useful to know whether you have Barrett's esophagus because it's a premalignant condition, which means that it places you at a higher than average risk of getting cancer.

Esophagus is the medical term for the hollow muscular tube that goes from your throat to your stomach. When you swallow food or drink any liquids they pass through the esophagus and into your stomach. The upper and lower ends of the tube are pinched together by muscles called sphincters. When you swallow food, these sphincter muscles relax and allow for food and water to pass to the stomach. They then rapidly close to prevent food, drink, or stomach acid to leak into the esophagus.

However, if the sphincter at the lower end of the esophagus does not close properly or opens spontaneously for varying periods of time, stomach contents and digestive acid rise into the esophagus. This refluxed acid touches the lining of the esophagus and causes a burning sensation better known as acid reflux or heartburn, even though it has nothing to do with the heart.

Understanding Barrett's Esophagus

If you suffer from persistent acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for several years, the acid can cause damage to the tissue lining the inside of the esophagus. During the healing process, normal tissue of the lower esophagus changes into tissue that looks similar to what lines your intestines. This medical condition is termed as Barrett's esophagus.

It should be noted that not all patients with GERD develop Barrett's esophagus. In fact, less than one percent of patients with GERD develop this condition. Nor do all patients with Barrett's esophagus have GERD.

Risk Factors

Men are twice as likely to suffer from Barrett's esophagus as women. Anyone who is over 50 with a history of acid reflux disease for more than 10 years is at an increased risk of developing Barrett's esophagus. Smoking and obesity add additional risk factors for the condition.

On its own, the condition does not cause any specific symptoms. However, those who suffer from chronic acid reflux issues often experience heartburn, regurgitation of food, excess belching, hoarseness of voice, sore throat, and chronic cough. The condition becomes more important to catch when you consider that in .5 percent of Barrett's esophagus patients, it leads to a rare and often deadly type of esophageal cancer.

There are some warning signs for Barrett‚Äôs esophagus. If you suffer from heartburn more than three times a week for several years, or have trouble swallowing or pain while you swallow, unexpected weight loss, blood in vomit, or black-colored stools, it is advised to undergo further evaluation so a doctor can diagnose if you have Barrett's esophagus. 

The only way the condition can be diagnosed is by doing an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. During the procedure, you will be sedated. Your doctor will then insert an endoscope, a flexible tube that has a light and a miniature camera, through the mouth and down your throat into the esophagus.

If your doctor suspects changes in the lining tissue, he would then thread a pincher-like device through the endoscope to remove small pieces of the tissue. These tissue pieces are then sent to a pathologist who examines them under a microscope.