Barrett's Esophagus

GERD Tag

If you have been suffering from GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) for a number of years, you might be concerned that you will develop Barrett’s Esophagus, and with good reason. Barrett’s Esophagus is often a natural progression from chronic or long-term GERD. While there are not always noticeable symptoms when a person develops Barrett’s esophagus the most common symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus are similar to the symptoms of GERD, but there can be some additional symptoms. The tricky thing is that sometimes there aren’t any noticeable symptoms.

The most important thing to do if you feel you are experiencing Barrett’s Esophagus symptoms is to get a positive diagnosis from your doctor. The reason for this is that there is an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer if you have Barrett’s esophagus so you need to keep an eye on it. Regular screenings can help prevent esophageal cancer, which is important because esophageal cancer is difficult to treat once it develops.

Read Barrett’s Esophagus Symptoms

So you always understood that wine and acid reflux just aren’t supposed to mix, right? Well, some recent research may suggest otherwise.

As many wine lovers who also suffer from acid reflux will attest, alcoholic beverages aren’t the easiest on the stomach. The phrase wine acid reflux is almost a term in itself; the combination of alcohol and the acidity of the wine make for an uncomfortable team for your esophagus and your stomach to combat.

In recent years, researched have accumulated evidence to indicate that wine — especially red wine — contains a plethora of illness-fighting compounds. This doesn’t change the many poor affects of drinking alcohol, unfortunately, but has given both researchers and wine lovers cause for pause. How can we leverage those healthful properties without harming ourselves?

Read Wine and Acid Reflux