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What Causes Barrett's Esophagus?

Barrett's esophagus occurs when the body replaces damaged esophageal lining with a new abnormal lining that is similar to the lining of the intestine. The process is called intestinal metaplasia, and there are no symptoms. The disorder can only be diagnosed with a biopsy.

  1. GERD

    • Barrett's esophagus is typically diagnosed in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who have had years of chronic heartburn. About 10 percent of people with severe GERD develop Barrett's esophagus, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    GERD Symptoms

    • Heartburn occurs when stomach acid washes up into the esophagus, which can damage the sensitive lining if it becomes chronic. People who experience acid reflux several times a week for long periods of time are considered to have GERD.

    Theories/Speculation

    • The new abnormal esophagus lining seems able to resist stomach acid better than the normal lining. Additionally, some people diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus state that they have not had heartburn in years, leading some researchers to speculate that the new lining may somehow relieve GERD.

    Considerations

    • Research has not determined why Barrett's esophagus occurs in so few people with GERD. The disorder affects only about 1 percent of adults in the United States, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). White and Hispanic men are at greatest risk.

    Caution

    • Barrett's esophagus causes a slightly-increased risk of esophageal cancer. Because it has no symptoms, some physicians recommend that people over 40 who have experienced GERD for several years have a biopsy to check for Barrett's esophagus.

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