I have recently been diagnosed with a bleeding stomach ulcer Barrets Esophagus. What is it and how serious?

Question

I just recently had an endoscopy, they found several developing ulcers and one big one, I was a little woozy from the anesthesia at the time so I can't remember everything the doc said but he gave me the still shots from the procedure and pointed out several issues. I have one large ulcer (about the size of a nickel) and several small developing ulcers, the large one has obviously bled in the past. He also pointed out areas of patchy growth on my lower esophagus which is a condition known as Barrets Esophagus. I guess what I want to know is what exactly are the possible causes and consequenses of these issues and how much of a threat to my health, and ultimately, my life are they? I am especially curious about the Barrets. I know very little about it. The doctor put me on a medication called Zegerid and told me to quit smoking and change my diet. I have been suffering for a long time now from these things and am actually happy to finally know whats causing my pain.

Don't be annoying and tell me to talk to my doctor...duh...I just thought I'd get some info on it now before I go back to the doctor.Isn't that what this site is for...ANSWERS...Pardon me for wanting to be a little mor informed!

Also can you tell me what the effects of of smoking is upon my conditions. I'm not looking for an excuse not to quit, I am going to, I just want to to know how smoking and my conditions react with eachother

Answer 1

As long as you take care of it, you will be fine. If you do not, it usually leads to cancer so it is quite a serious conditonn. Smoking hastens and exacerbates the condition.

You might need a course of anti-biotics as it is now known that ulcers are caused by bacteria.

Answer 2

HK3738 got it right, and Barrets esophagus is not rare at all it is all too common. The stomach is protected from stomach acid and the protolytic enzyme pepsin by a thick layer of mucus. This keeps the acid and enzymes from eating the stomach which is the cause of the ulcer. The esophagus has no protection at all, it relys on the lower esophageal sphincter to keep those chemicals out of the esophagus. In your case the constant irritant of the chemicals in your esophagus caused the lining of the esophagus to undergo a process called metaplasia and this change of cells is what is Barretts. Barretts does carry with it an increased chance of cancer of the esophagus, a very deadly cancer. Smoking weakens the lower esophageal sphincter muscle so that is part of the reason your doctor wants you to quit. Stay on the meds. to keep the levels of stomach acid down and follow the advice to be scoped every 1-2 years to look for cells in the esophagus that may be becoming cancerous.

Answer 3

Barrets Esophagus is a condition where the lining of your esophagus has changed from the normal, squamous cells to thick columnar cells in response to the onslaught of acid. This change represents a pre-cancerous condition called metaplasia. Yearly endoscopies can monitor this condition for any further changes.
The treatment is still proton-pump inhibitor medicines and there's good evidence coming out where surgery has longer, disease free intervals. Ask your doctor if a fundoplication(gastric wrap) is right for you.
Nicoteine found in tobacco smoking relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, thus worsening your acid reflux.

Answer 4

Barrett esophagus is a rare disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and ulceration of the esophagus. Symptoms develop due to the chronic occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus and may include episodes of heartburn and recurring pain behind the breastbone. Symptoms associated with Barrett esophagus may also include a narrowing of the esophagus and difficulty swallowing .
You should really discuss your concerns with your physician.
Good Luck

Answer 5

Blaming it on stress is apparent. Consuming is the wrongdoer which angers your system which the meals has pepper variety spices in it..Italian sauces are most likely too spicy....Verify what's causing your ulcers and alter that happening or occuring..It may be and most likely is some thing which angers you, riles you or upsets you in many ways...The answer needs to be made via your self...Medicos can spend many countless numbers of greenbacks prescribing meds which have been round a long time and lots of others are more cost-effective...Don't rule out milk and byproducts as one of the aggravating elements...The effect can turn up as an awfully painful ulcer perforation and docs reducing out parts of your belly..This cure is drastic and does no longer supply whole remedy...(Been there, finished that 3 times).Ulcers were known as "healthful Man's ailment" and hits people with the "A" persona...They don't eat correct!Hi there worry about yesterday. They take their jobs dwelling with them. They need every body to like them, which is a dream. They on the whole have gripes about matters which have aggravated them eternally. They feel doctors will treatment them with new medicines...THe medications don't alter the article that precipitated the ulcers in the first place...Medicinal drugs rate a lot that the majority medical doctors who don't seem to be taking in one million a yr prescribe rookies headquartered on what the journeying drug corporation seller tells them...Just eliminate your hates, gripes and aggravations...If you want to get better...........Believe constructive and like extra of life.

Answer 6

this is because of acid production in stomach causing damage to lining, and same stuff going up the esophagus. Zegrid is the best drug, essentially all proton pump inhibitors (including zegrid) are great, stick to his advice. elevate the head end of the bed too. repeat endoscopy in 1-2 years no more since barrets can be pre cancerous, this is essentially why it is important to have this condition treated appropriately, esophagela cancer well any cancer you don't want to have, try webmd.com or mayoclinic.com, good luck

Answer 7

Blaming it on rigidity is glaring. ingesting is the perpetrator which angers your gadget which the nutrition has pepper form spices in it..Italian sauces are regularly too exceedingly spiced....verify what's inflicting your ulcers and alter that occuring or occuring..that is and regularly is something which angers you, riles you or upsets you in many techniques...the respond must be made by making use of your self...Medicos can spend many 1000's of greenbacks prescribing meds that have been around some years and various others are extra fee-effective...do no longer rule out milk and byproducts as between the nerve-racking components...the tip result can ensue as a very painful ulcer perforation and scientific docs reducing out parts of your abdomen..This scientific care is drastic and does no longer provide comprehensive alleviation...(Been there, completed that thrice).Ulcers have been called "healthful guy's ailment" and hits those with the "A" character...they do no longer eat suitable!howdy difficulty approximately the day formerly at present. They take their jobs abode with them. they choose everybody to love them, it incredibly is a dream. they often have gripes approximately issues that have aggravated them continuously. they think of docs will scientific care them with new drugs...the drugs do no longer adjust the ingredient that led to the ulcers interior the 1st place...drugs fee lots that maximum scientific docs who are not taking in a million a twelve months prescribe novices according to what the vacationing drug enterprise supplier tells them...purely do away with your hates, gripes and aggravations...in case you want to get extra effective...........think of useful and prefer extra of life.

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

ask your doctor until you fully understand about your disease. if you think your doc's explanation is not enough, then find someone else.

you may be lucky and find someone who can answer your question online, but i think it'd be better to have one doc whom you can really trust. no one can answer all the questions you have right now here online. we've never seen you.

Answer 10

do what the doc tells you, and you should have asked him what it is, i dont know, hope you get better though