Barrett's disease, also known as Barrett's esophagus, occurs mainly in people who have chronic acid reflux or GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease. The cells lining the esophagus are damaged, which sometimes leads to cancer of the esophagus if further damage cannot be limited enough. One way of lessening the amount of damage to the esophagus is by changing your diet.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid foods that increase the likelihood of experiencing acid reflux. These foods are not the same for everyone, but often include fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate, acidic juices, alcohol, garlic, onion, coffee and tea, peppermint, and carbonated or caffeinated beverages. Hard candy, creamed soups, chewing gum, oils and whole milk also sometimes cause issues with reflux.
Eating Strategies
How you eat also can affect your likelihood of suffering from acid reflux and worsening your Barrett's disease. Eat small meals, don't lie down after eating or eat within three hours of your bedtime, and eat only enough to maintain a healthy weight, since being overweight increases the risk for GERD.
Considerations
No one diet exists that will help everyone who has Barrett's disease. Keep track of what you eat and what symptoms you experience to best determine foods and activities to avoid to minimize your symptoms. Dietary changes will not make your Barrett's esophagus go away: They will only help to prevent it from getting worse. Your doctor will monitor your condition to see if more extreme treatments become necessary.
Other Treatments
Stopping smoking, propping up the head of your bed and avoiding stooping and bending for long periods also can limit your reflux. People with severe forms of Barrett's disease might need surgery to remove part or most of the esophagus or to destroy the damaged cells in the hopes that normal cells will grow back. These measures will not cure your condition, but will make it less likely to progress to cancer.
