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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Mark A.

Very courteous, positive, and seemingly efficient.

Charles M.

I always get scheduled in December and all the staff are in a great Christmas mood last time we sang Christmas carols while they wheeled me in everyone was friendly and helpful

tom S.

Dr Weber and the entire staff (prep nurse, nurse anesthetist, recovery nurse, front desk staff, etc...) were amazing ! Dr. Weber fully explained the procedure he was going to perform and then provided the results afterwards. The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.

Mike V.

Everyone I interacted with was positive, upbeat and kind! I never thought I would walk out of a procedure like this with the biggest smile....because of the people. So thankful for everyone that impacted my day. You guys rock!!!

Rebecca M.

Very good experience!

AMY S.

The care was excellent! Dr. Weber, Amy (RN), and Kevin were so kind and made me feel calm. 2023

Rick K.

Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. Dr. Wille was great. I would recommend this office.

JSB

Great people, super fast appointment timing, very efficient process. They made an unpleasant situation as smooth and pleasant as possible.

vin M.

Very pleasant people to deal with I would recommend this organization to anyone and everyone. My only issue was too much redundancy and paperwork that was non value added! How many times I had to write my name how many times I had to enter my birth date and so on all Non value added! Other than that the personnel was outstanding and made the visit very pleasant!

Marie F.

Everyone was professional and efficient

William E.

Appointment started on time. Dr. Quallich, as usual, was very attentive to my concerns. He made sure I didn’t have any more questions before we ended the appointment. Everything went well.

Kate P.

Dr Desai has been my gastroenterologist for nearly 25 years. He spends time, he is kind, he answers questions and again, he spends time when you need it. I never mind waiting for him when I have to because I know that he is doing for someone else what he does for me – he takes the time to talk to his patients and explain things. He is a five star – a 10 star – Dr. I am so fortunate that I am in his care. Dr. Tusar Desai is located in the Beaumont/Corewell Royal Oak medical office building at 13 Mile Rd. and Woodward Avenue

Dan B.

Very well managed procedure from start to finish. Excellent staff!

Jim L.

Couldn’t ask for a better practice. Everyone is friendly and you can see work well together. Would highly recommend.

Danielle W.

Very professional and prompt awesome doctors and nurses

Amy N.

No wait, speedy appointment, doctor who listens! 😊

Anne G.

I was so impressed with my visit for my procedure. From the moment I arrived all the staff I encountered were so friendly! They really put me at ease during a time that I was very nervous and didn’t know what to expect. From start to finish, everything was just great. Without a doubt I would encourage anyone to make an appointment!

Valerie P.

Positive experience during a not so pleasant to go though screening. The staff was over the top nice and made me feel comfortable.

Joann K.

excellent experience with PA Noelle. very thorough andd good advice.

V.K. S.

Dr. Bologna was very friendly and kind and explained everything i needed to know. The supporting staff was also very supportive, kind and forthcoming to answer any questions. I will give five star to Dr. Bologna and his staff.

Lynn Z.

Love working with this office, very efficient!!

Jim F.

professional , efficient, expert, in all 3 phases : pre-procedure, procedure, post-procedure.

Mary F.

Staff is extremely friendly and caring and focused on making you feel comfortable and well-informed.

Ramona A.

I had a positive experience from the point of making my appointment through the procedure. I received reminder information before the procedure, as well as a call the day after my procedure to check on how I was doing. Thanks for caring and taking pride in what you do for others.

Jaye H.

Everyone was so professional and kind. Very good experience. Dr. Donat and staff were great.

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

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Laura C.

My first colonoscopy screen and it went very smoothly. Everyone was great, from the moment we walked in the doors until we left the building. Dr. Nandi took his time to ensure all my questions were answered and explained next steps thoroughly. Highly recommend!

Susan L.

I’m a very scared person when it comes to going into the doctors. Everybody here made me feel comfortable. They got me to relax and everything went smoothly. I thank you all so much for this, coming from a little scaredy-cat.. hats off to all of you. See you in 2035.

Denise H.

very friendly staff and was very impressed by Dr. Q

Ron Z.

Everyone was excellent to work with. Dr. Webber explained everything before and after procedure. Thanks for the great care.

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

Christina N. Brown, 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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