Leading-edge treatment for Barrett’s Esophagus provides relief and peace-of-mind
Chronic acid indigestion — known medically as gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD — is a potentially harmful condition that too many people live with for too long before seeking medical attention.
For Carol, who had spent 10 years treating her chronic heartburn with antacid tablets, her moment of action came one morning after spending a sleepless night in excruciating pain.
At Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates, Carol’s doctor recommended an upper endoscopy (EGD) to diagnose the cause of Carol’s discomfort. This minimally invasive procedure confirmed that Carol had developed Barrett’s Esophagus, a condition that, if left untreated, can lead to esophageal cancer. Carol had spent too many years masking the problem with her antacids.
We took a conservative approach, prescribing an oral medication called Nexium®. The medicine treated Carol’s pain and we hoped it might heal the damage to her esophagus. After a year and a half of waiting and watching, we did another EGD. This one indicated the cells in the lining of her esophagus were in the precancerous stage. We recommended a more aggressive approach to give Carol peace of mind as well as pain relief. Thanks to a new endoscopic procedure called BARRX (Halo) ablation, we were able to remove the affected tissue in the esophagus.
The treatments have been life changing for Carol. Her pain is gone and she can now enjoy a good night’s sleep, without having to sit up or carry a wedge with her whenever she travels. But most importantly, she no longer has to worry about cancer.
Watch the video to hear about Carol’s experience in her own words — and learn why you should not ignore chronic heartburn.
