Question: What Causes Barrett's Esophagus?
Answer: When the esophagus comes in contact with stomach acid and bile that back up into it, it can cause injury to the normal lining of the esophagus. Esophageal injury with inflammation is called esophagitis. In about 10 percent of sufferers with severe GERD, if injury to the esophagus continues over many years, the injured normal lining of the esophagus will not grow back. Instead, it is replaced by a new abnormal lining called Barrett's esophagus.
