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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What They Are Saying

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Center For Digestive Health, Rochester Hills4.8

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Mary T.

Everyone was so nice. Everything was explained from prep through procedure very clearly. Highly recommend!

Janice S.

The office runs very smoothly, friendly staff that make you feel comfortable. The nurses and dr very professional - I highly them.

Peggy R.

Everyone was helpful & made me feel comfortable through the whole process. Thank you!

Nathan W.

Check in process was easy and efficient! My procedure went with out a hitch & I was made very comfortable which eased any nerves I had.

Michelle M.

I was nervous about having a colonoscopy. Dr. Bakken and the surgical facility put me at ease. All staff members from scheduling to waking up post-op were kind and caring.

Susan D.

Great anesthesia. But my prep was too aggressive. I have heard of other Drs with a better prep. I will be switching to another dr for next colonoscopy

warren Z.

Had my colonoscopy… Very professional people very much on time that’s big for me…

Nancy M.

Dr Nandi is an amazing doctor. He is knowledgeable, personable, kind & a excellent surgeon. He is caring & answers all your questions & concerns. His staff is awesome. Kudos To a wonderful dr & staff.

Ezekiel A.

The service of everyone from the receptionist to the doctor (Partha Nandi) was excellent. On a day where the procedure prep took the wind out of me so to speak, I could not have asked for a better place to have my colonoscopy.

Bill S.

Service was very efficient. Care was excellent.

Kamal&Pooja S.

Loved the very personable, friendly staff putting me to ease right away. My overall experience mych exceeded my expectations- right from thd right i walked in to the time i left post-procedure. Most importantly, the wait time was minimal. I would very strongly recommend this office/staff.

Anquinette M.

Just a kind and welcoming environment.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🔥🌞 Preparing for a colonoscopy, especially for the first time, can understandably evoke a great deal of anxiety. However, I want to share my experience, which was surprisingly reassuring. From my initial interaction with the receptionist to the compassionate care provided by Nurse Allison, who prepared me for the procedure, I felt genuinely comfortable and valued throughout the entire process. The professionalism and kindness exhibited by all the staff, culminating in the expertise of Dr. Donat, who performed my procedure, made a significant difference in my experience. If I ever find myself needing to undergo this procedure again, or if anyone else is facing it, I wholeheartedly recommend the Surgical Centers of Michigan. It is essential for me to be treated with kindness and dignity, and I felt that in abundance during my visit.

Tony D.

The staff is fantastic. All the way from check-in to walking me out. The facilities were extremely clean too.

Carol W.

Yesterday I saw Jennifer, she was very helpful & understanding. I highly recommend Dr. Nandi & his PA’s.

Tarey T.

The only issue is that the communication manager does not handle comms well in either direction. But the center, its doctors etc are worth even that.

terry S.

Great staff, easy and quick procedure.. no complaints!

Donna M.

Everyone was very respectful. Dr. Saeed explained what procedure would be best for me & let me decide if I wanted to proceed. .I feel confident under her care.

J L.

Dr. Bakken is INCREDIBLY thorough and professional. Probably one of the best experiences I've had with a medical professional -- she really takes her time and explores all options and possibilities as we try to figure out my mystery pain. The office is very clean, the front desk staff is nice, and I was seen very quickly by the Dr (Around 1 on a Thursday). The front desk also gave me very thorough instructions for my follow up care.

Nancy R.

This was my first colonoscopy, and the overall process is not pleasant no matter what you do. But, when it came to the finish line, the CDH staff was kind, courteous, and skilled which all helped to ease my anxiety to end on a positive note. Thank you!

Heather K.

Before the appointment, I received thorough pre-procedure information. Upon arrival, the wait time was minimal. The staff were all very polite and professional and explained everything to my satisfaction. I felt well cared for and was satisfied with the post care explanations and appreciated the phone call afterward making sure that I was doing well at home.

Susan L.

Dr. Saeed did not seem rushed. I have a 30 yr history and recent health problems affecting my previous treatment. She listened to my concerns, can up with a plan of care, includinh my input/concerns. I feel confident in her ability to help me maintain control of my Chron's disease. Her office staff is also very pleasant and thorough. All in all very pleased with my first visit. Thank you.

joann W.

Everything went well with my EGD, much professionalism and kindness.

John O.

Staff very cordial . Appreciated the private room . Procedure was efficient and easy. Dr Weber very clear as the results.

ron P.

Staff was great. Would highly recommend this facility!

Patrick K.

Excellent care by an outstanding staff!

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

Based on 6232 reviews

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Chris F.

Very professional organization that made the experience as easy and comforting as one would want.

Greg V.

Just need to bring back cookies post procedure.

L. K.

Dr Abadir did a great job!

Mary K.

The staff was wonderful from start to finish. Other practices could certainly learn from this office.

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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