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Treatment includes general measures to control gastroesophageal reflux, medications, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and surgery. Treatment may be important even if the patient doesn't feel any symptoms.
General measures include:
- Weight reduction
- Avoiding lying down after meals
- Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated
- Taking medication with plenty of water
- Avoiding dietary fat, chocolate, caffeine, and peppermint because they may cause lower esophageal pressure
- Avoiding alcohol and tobacco
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Medications to relieve symptoms and control gastroesophageal reflux include antacids after meals and at bedtime, histamine H2 receptor blockers, proton pump inhibitors, cholinergic agents, and promotility agents.
Surgery to remove a portion of the esophagus (resection of the esophagus) may be indicated, if a biopsy shows the type of cellular changes that tend to lead to cancer (dysplasia).
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a newly approved option that may allow you to avoid surgery. PDT involves the use of a special laser delivery device, called an esophageal balloon, along with a drug called Photofrin. Together, the laser balloon and medication lead to ablation of the abnormal cells lining the esophagus without affecting the normal tissue.
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