Saint Joseph's Digestive Disease Center: What We Treat

Barrett’s Esophagus

Saint Joseph’s Hospital offers a coordinated, comprehensive program to treat swallowing and esophageal disorders, including Barrett’s Esophagus.  The hospital’s multidisciplinary team includes gastroenterologists, radiologists, radiologists, speech pathologists, thoracic surgeons, lung specialists, and ear, nose, and throat specialists. 

Millions of Americans have trouble swallowing or complain of heartburn and acid reflux.  These problems may be caused by malfunctioning of the physical structures in the mouth, throat, or esophagus; damage to the nerves or muscles coordinating swallowing in these organs, or physical obstruction to these organs.  Acid reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, throat or mouth can lead to Barrett’s Esophagus and also cause esophagitis and its complications—chest pain, asthma, breathing problems, or ear, nose, and throat complaints including recurrent coughing.

Through the Evelyn Trammell Voice & Swallowing Center studies can be performed to determine the cause and degree of swallowing difficulty and with this knowledge, a course planned for rehabilitation. 

Saint Joseph’s endoscopy unit provides 24 hour pH and Bravo studies that evaluate symptoms of esophageal reflux.  Barrett’s esophagitis ablation therapy (BARRX) is also performed.

For more information or to make a referral, please call call 404-851-5533.