Definition Of Condition

Now what is Barrett’s Esophagus? Well, we talked about gastroesophageal reflux. The acid refluxes from the stomach into the esophagus, and the acid irritates the esophageal lining. And if this goes on for a period of time, months, years in particular, then the lining of the esophagus begins to change. And it changes in a way where it begins to look like the lining of the stomach. Now remind you, the stomach was designed to produce acid. It can tolerate a fair amount of acid. The esophagus does not tolerate acid as well. So you reflux acid over a period of time. This chronic inflammation and injury to the esophagus causes the esophageal tissue to change such that it begins to look like the lining of the esophagus. And in Layman’s terms, that’s what Barrett’s Esophagus is all about.