K.N.O.W. Home Health - BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS

BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS

What is Barrett’s Esophagus?

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that affects your food pipe (called the esophagus). The esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. In Barrett’s esophagus, the lining of the esophagus changes. It starts to look more like the lining of your intestines.

This change happens because of damage from stomach acid that comes up into the esophagus. This is called acid reflux or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).

What Causes Barrett’s Esophagus?

The main cause is long-term acid reflux. When stomach acid keeps coming up, it burns the lining of the esophagus. Over time, this damage can cause the cells in the esophagus to change.

Other things that can raise your risk:

Having GERD for many years
Smoking
Being overweight
Drinking alcohol often
Eating spicy, greasy, or acidic foods regularly

What Are the Symptoms?

Barrett’s esophagus does not always cause symptoms. But many people have signs of GERD, such as:

Heartburn (a burning feeling in your chest)
Chest pain
Trouble swallowing
A sour taste in your mouth
Feeling sick after eating

Why Is It Important?

Barrett’s esophagus can increase the risk of getting a type of cancer called esophageal cancer. It doesn't happen often, but it’s important to be checked regularly.

What Is the Usual Treatment?

Barrett’s esophagus cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Your doctor may:

Give you medicine to reduce stomach acid (like omeprazole or pantoprazole)
Check your esophagus with a camera (endoscopy) regularly
Sometimes remove bad or changing cells using special tools

Is There a Special Diet?

Yes. A healthy diet can help:

Avoid spicy foods, fried foods, and tomato-based foods
Don’t drink soda, coffee, or alcohol
Eat smaller meals
Don’t lie down right after eating
Lose weight if overweight
Stop smoking

Eat more of:

Fruits (except citrus like oranges)
Vegetables
Whole grains
Lean meats

When to Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor:

Call your home health RN or doctor if:

Your heartburn gets worse
You feel chest pain that won’t go away
You have trouble swallowing
You feel like food is stuck
You lose weight without trying
You vomit blood or notice black or bloody stools

When to Go to the Emergency Room (ER):

Go to the ER if:

You have chest pain like a heart attack
You can’t swallow at all
You are throwing up blood
You feel dizzy, weak, or faint
You have trouble breathing

Other Helpful Tips:

Take your medicine every day as your doctor tells you.
Keep all your check-ups and endoscopy appointments.
Sleep with your head raised up to stop nighttime reflux.
Don’t wear tight clothes around your stomach.

Patient Homework/Assessment

Circle True or False for each statement below. Please correct each Flse statement

True or False: Barrett’s esophagus is when the stomach lining changes into the esophagus.
True or False: Acid reflux is one of the causes of Barrett’s esophagus.
True or False: Barrett’s esophagus usually causes lots of pain.
True or False: Smoking can increase the risk of Barrett’s esophagus.
True or False: GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
True or False: You should lie down right after meals to help digestion.
True or False: You should eat spicy and greasy foods if you have Barrett’s esophagus.
True or False: Barrett’s esophagus can increase your risk of cancer.
True or False: An endoscopy is a camera test used to check the esophagus.
True or False: Taking acid-reducing medicine can help manage Barrett’s esophagus.
True or False: You should stop smoking if you have Barrett’s esophagus.
True or False: You should call your nurse if you vomit blood.
True or False: Losing weight can help reduce acid reflux.
True or False: You can eat large meals right before bed.
True or False: Chest pain that won’t go away is a reason to call your doctor.
True or False: Barrett’s esophagus can be cured with one dose of medicine.
True or False: Whole grains and vegetables are good food choices.
True or False: You should wear loose clothing to help with reflux.
True or False: Coffee and soda are okay to drink with this condition.
True or False: You may not notice any symptoms with Barrett’s esophagus.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Have you experienced frequent heartburn or acid reflux, and how do these symptoms affect your daily activities like eating or sleeping?

Have you noticed any difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, or chest discomfort, and how often do these occur?

What treatments or medications (like proton pump inhibitors) are you currently using to manage your reflux, and how effective are they?

Have you had any endoscopic procedures or biopsies to monitor for changes in your esophagus, and do you understand the importance of regular follow-up?