Barrett’s oesophagus is not painful but you may also suffer from heartburn, which can be painful. Heartburn can often be mistaken for a heart attack, so it is important to know the difference. A heart attack is usually accompanied by shooting pain in your left arm, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, sweating, etc.
Who is at risk of Barrett’s Oesophagus in Singapore?
The risk of Barrett’s oesophagus increases if you have the following risk factors:
- Male
- History of acid reflux problems
- Obesity, especially if you carry the main bulk of your weight around your abdomen
- Smoker
- Family history of Barrett’s oesophagus or oesophageal cancer
How is Barrett’s Oesophagus diagnosed?
The only way that Barrett’s oesophagus can be diagnosed is through a gastroscopy.
- A thin, long, and flexible tube (also known as a gastroscope) with a video camera and light attached to one end is used to view the insides of the upper digestive tract.
- The tube is inserted into the mouth and gently passed through the oesophagus, stomach, and the duodenum (upper small intestine).
- The light and video camera allows your doctor to observe and detect any problems with your upper digestive tract.
- Samples may also be taken for biopsy to enable a more accurate diagnosis.
