Barrett's Esophagus - Center For Digestive Health

Barrett’s Esophagus

Overview

Barrett’s esophagus is a health condition that develops when acid reflux damages the esophagus, which is the pink tube connecting the stomach to the mouth. This damage causes the lining of the esophagus to grow thicker and redden in color.

Barrett’s esophagus often develops because of gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, which involves symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation of food. Barrett’s esophagus is the result of GERD symptoms leading to changes in the cells that line the lower portion of the esophagus.

Men and people with certain risk factors are more likely to develop Barrett’s esophagus. Those who have GERD or who believe they may be at risk of this condition should consult with a doctor, as Barrett’s esophagus can lead to esophageal cancer in rare cases

Applicable Procedures

24 Hour Ph Probe
EGD
EUS
Radiofrequency Ablation (previously called Halo Barrx)
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Does Barrett’s Esophagus Mean I Will Develop Cancer?

According to the Mayo Clinic, Barrett’s esophagus does increase a person’s risk of cancer, but this does not mean that you will develop cancer with this condition. In fact, the risk of cancer is quite low, and most people with Barrett’s esophagus never develop cancer of the esophagus. That being said, it is still important to work with a doctor to monitor the condition, as precancerous cells can be treated to reduce your risk of developing esophageal cancer in the future.

Should I Be Screened For Barrett’s Esophagus?

Experts recommend a Barret’s esophagus screening for individuals with certain risk factors. For instance, men who have weekly GERD symptoms that do not improve with medications, or who have two or more risk factors, such as a family history of Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer, being over age 50, having excess abdominal fat, or being a current or former smoker, should be screened for the condition. While women are less likely to develop Barrett’s esophagus, they should be screened for it if they that uncontrolled GERD symptoms.

How Is Barrett’s Esophagus Treated?

Treatment will depend upon the severity of Barrett’s esophagus. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you have no precancerous changes to the cells of your esophagus, a doctor will monitor your condition and provide treatment to manage GERD symptoms. This may include medication, lifestyle changes, and in some cases

Common Symptoms

I find that I suffer from heartburn most days, and sometimes I even feel as if I am regurgitating my food.
I sometimes have trouble swallowing food.
After living with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) for several years, I started to suffer from bouts of chest pain.

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Center For Digestive Health, Rochester Hills4.8

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Sheryl T.

Fast, efficient, friendly very professional service.

Jason R.

Was very nervous, entire staff was friendly and professional. They got me in and out extremely fast.

gary H.

Even through my call with D. Abadir was good he said he was going to send in a prescription for me I don't know where he sent it ,if you could let me know I would appreciate it Gary Hoffman

Yolanda B.

The entire process was handled in a very friendly and professional manner.

Lea D.

Wonderful staff. Comfortable atmosphere. Doctor is personable and professional! I don't dread a colonoscopy with this team!!

Garry & Martha B.

So appreciate Dr. Nandi’s kindness and caring spirit in his counsel with me. Also the office administrators were most kind and personable with care in their interaction with me. This made me feel like I was a person and not another number that all cared about me. Blessings to each of you for your ministry of care!!

Tracey V.

Caring Staff, clean facility, organized and efficient all around. Dr. Bakken was soft spoken, caring and very thorough.

Nicole E.

Great staff and Dr Bekkan was awesome!

Randy J.

The entire staff was some of the nicest medical professionals I have ever dealt with. From the lady checking me in to the person taking my information and explaining the process to the anesthesiologist to the doctor to the recovery nurse. They took time to speak to me and explain what was happening and seeing if I had any questions. I will recommend the Center for Digestive Health to anyone I know and already have to 2 people in my office. It was a fantastic experience. Thank you.

April L.

Clear and professional staff

Mark B.

Arrival time was 8:40 for the procedure (colonoscopy). Checked in quickly, taken back to prep within 5 minutes. Dr. Wille and his staff were extremely friendly and efficient. Was out of recovery and on my way within about an hour of arrival. The office followed up the next day to make sure everything was good. I would recommend them to anyone.

Matthew B.

A very positive experience. The entire team was absolutely incredible. Informative. Friendly. Detailed and patient. This was my experience fron ALL of the staff from check in, pre op and post op. Very impressed and grateful.

Danial H.

Everyone was courteous and professional in the extreme

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Excellent customer service, fast, knowledgeable and, experienced.

Thomas H.

I’ve been a patient of Dr. Nandi for 20+ years and he is second to none. He is caring and compassionate but also professional and efficient. He always gives you as much time as you need to explain yourself and I never feel rushed. He is also very good at coordinating with other members of my care team to make sure all my health goals are not in conflict. Updated 06/12/2024. Still a big Dr Nandi fan. He does all my Gastro stuff plus he coordinates with my other doctors for the issues related to an aging male with multiple problems. Quite simply, Dr Nandi is the best.

Selena C.

Staff is Exceptional!

Patrick B.

Entire staff was amazing and so friendly and Dr. Donat was great!

Andrzej S.

Dr Bologna and his staff are friendly and professional. They listen are knowledgable and caring. Would highly recommend

Nancy F.

Very professional and very nice staff. I felt very comfortable with the care I received.

Deylan A.

Love Dr Quallich!! Always nice to see him. His bedside manner is wonderful. He just makes sense and he is funny! I always feel better after my visit with him. His staff is very pleasant, kind and they are so organized. God bless them all. 😊

Paul S.

Dr. Nandi is the best!! Always personable and professional.

Darcy L.

I had a tela health appointment with Dr B. I was happy that his office gather all the test results from my primary Dr. previous to the appointment My conversation with Dr B went well. And we were able to schedule my upcoming procedure. The staff is wonderful to work with.

melody M.

Had to go in for colonoscopy with Dr. Bologna, and everything from checking in to after procedure was very professional! Everyone there were very courteous, knowledgeable, and talked to me about everything that would be done before and after procedure. Made my first visit there very comfortable. Highly recommend!

Kathleen Z.

Compared to my previous experiences with other offices, I appreciated being in a private room before and after the procedure. Also, I was impressed by the detailed pre-procedure information and all instructions. The staff was cordial and professional.

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The staff was very nice and friendly 🙂

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

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Gregory T.

Dr. Weber and his entire staff did a great job. I would not go anywhere else for the service that I had done.

Randy I.

This was my third experience with this group and each experience has been excellent.

brenda C.

After seeing 7 doctors I felt so good leaving this appointment. The doctor was very thorough and explained everything to me. Loved her.

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Dr Weber and his staff are fabulous. I’ve been a patient here for more than 20 years now. The only way I’ll ever leave is if they kick me out, lol. This type of care is priceless. I feel blessed to have found Dr Weber. And my husband sees another doctor in the office - Dr Donut - both are fabulous!

Our Doctors

We’re proud of our team here at Digestive Health Institute. Our health care providers include some of the very best colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists and physician assistants. To learn more about our qualified team of specialists, please visit our providers page.

Amir Abadir MD, FRCPC

Anezi E. Bakken MD, MS

Sante D. Bologna MD, FACP

M. Emin Donat MD, FRCPC

Partha S. Nandi

Jack Tocco DO

John R. Weber MD

Richard T. Wille MD

Tusar Desai MD

Aalia Saeed, MD

FAQs

What happens during my first visit?

If you are a new patient, you can expect to have a complete physical exam. You will also be asked detailed questions about your current problems and your past medical history, your current medications, allergies, your family history and other pertinent medical information. If you are taking medications, please bring a completed medical history form with you to your appointment. Once the physician has reviewed your medical information and completed the physical examination, a plan of care will be developed. You may need to be seen again in the office, be referred back to your family physician for follow-up care, or require additional testing. If additional tests are needed, we will assist you in scheduling these tests.

What if I need to schedule an endoscopic procedure?

An endoscopic procedure allows the physician to visualize a part of your gastrointestinal tract with a special instrument called an endoscope. If your family physician has ordered testing, you will be contacted by telephone by one of our staff members. If a physician orders testing and you are in the office, the procedure can generally be scheduled during the course of your visit. You will be given a date, time, and location for the test, as well as written instructions telling you how to prepare for the test. If you have any questions about the procedure, please feel free to ask one of our staff members or the physician.

How do I get test results?

We ask that you wait 10 to 14 days before contacting us for results. Often results come from several different sources. This information needs to be compiled and reviewed by your physician before you can be appropriately advised.

What insurances do you accept?

We accept payment from most insurance companies including Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Physicians Health Plan, Cofinity, Sparrow Professional Health Network, Medicaid, McLaren, Health Plus, and several others. Accepted insurances are subject to change at any time without notice.

If your insurance requires an authorization from your primary care physician, you may be asked to assist us in obtaining this authorization.

All patients are responsible for all copays and deductibles at the time of service.

If you have any questions regarding your benefits or insurance coverage, please contact our Billing Department at 248-844-9710.

What if I need to contact the doctor?

To contact your doctor during business hours please call our main number 248-844-9710. If you have an urgent need to speak with the doctor after hours, you will be rerouted to our after hours answering service, and your doctor will be paged. In the case of a medical emergency please proceed directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.

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