9 Ways to Stop GERD From Progressing to Barrett's Esophagus

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is notorious for causing heartburn, but the damage doesn’t stop there. GERD can increase your risk of Barrett’s esophagus. Luckily, these nine strategies can help prevent GERD from progressing.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into your esophagus. Not only does this cause discomfort (like heartburn and chest pain), but if it’s left unmanaged, GERD can lead to Barrett’s esophagus.

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where your esophageal lining changes, increasing your risk of esophageal cancer by tenfold. Fifteen percent of people with GERD develop Barrett’s esophagus.

There are several ways to prevent GERD from worsening and protect your esophagus from long-term damage.

Our Bay Area Gastroenterology Associates, LLC, board-certified gastroenterology team highlights the nine ways to stop GERD from progressing to Barrett’s esophagus.

1. Maintain a healthy weight

Excess weight, particularly around your abdomen, increases pressure on your stomach, which can push acid back into your esophagus. Losing as little as 5–10% of body weight can improve acid reflux symptoms.

Returning to your baseline weight can resolve acid reflux in some cases.

2. Make smart dietary choices

Specific foods and beverages can trigger acid reflux and worsen GERD symptoms. To prevent further irritation of the esophagus, limit or avoid:

Spicy and fried foods
Citrus fruits and juices
Tomatoes and tomato-based products
Chocolate and caffeine
Alcohol and carbonated beverages

Add GERD-friendly foods like lean proteins, whole grains, non-citrus fruits, and vegetables to your diet.

3. Change how often you eat

It’s not just about what you eat — it's about when you eat it. Instead of eating fewer large meals, try eating smaller, more frequent meals. This adjustment can help reduce reflux episodes.

4. Do not lay down after you eat

Lying flat too soon after meals allows stomach acid to flow back into your esophagus. To prevent reflux, wait 2–3 hours after eating before lying down or going to bed. This step gives your stomach time to digest food properly and reduces the risk of nighttime reflux.

5. Elevate your head while sleeping

If you experience nighttime acid reflux, try raising the head of your bed by 6–8 inches using bed risers or a wedge pillow, which helps keep stomach acid from traveling into your esophagus while you sleep.

6. Quit smoking and drinking alcohol

Smoking weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle preventing stomach acid from flowing backward.

Alcohol can relax this muscle and increase acid production.

The bottom line is that quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption can significantly lower your risk of GERD progressing to Barrett’s esophagus.

7. Take medication as prescribed

Over-the-counter and prescription medications help manage GERD symptoms and reduce esophageal damage. Common treatments include:

Antacids

These provide quick relief but don’t heal esophagus damage.

Histamine-2 receptor antagonists

Histamine-2 receptor antagonists, often called H2 blockers, reduce stomach acid production. H2 blockers gradually lose effectiveness over time, so they shouldn’t be considered a long-term solution for GERD.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs)

These strong acid reducers decrease stomach acid and give your esophagus time to heal. PPIs can also help heal stomach ulcers and small intestines.

PPIs help stop GERD from progressing to Barrett’s esophagus by removing the chronic irritation — chronic reflux — from your esophagus. Without the constant barrage of acid reflux, your esophageal tissue can start to heal.

If you experience frequent reflux despite lifestyle changes and medications, don’t hesitate to talk to us about long-term management options.

8. Get screened for Barrett’s esophagus

Your Bay Area Gastroenterology Associates provider may recommend an endoscopy to check for Barrett’s esophagus if you’ve had GERD for more than five years, especially if you experience difficulty swallowing, persistent heartburn, or regurgitation.

Barrett’s esophagus is usually diagnosed with an upper endoscopy. If needed, we can take biopsies to assess any cellular changes.

9. Explore treatments to stop Barrett’s esophagus from worsening

If you develop Barrett’s esophagus, you still have options to help stop the progression to esophageal cancer.

Jigneshkumar B. Patel, MD, Lauren Kanwischer, APRN, or Wendi Dinh-Bailey, APRN, may recommend radiofrequency ablation if your Barrett’s esophagus shows signs of dysplasia, meaning the cells have started to change abnormally and may progress to cancer.

This procedure uses heat energy to remove the abnormal cells and promote healthy tissue regeneration. It’s a proactive approach that can significantly reduce the risk of Barrett’s esophagus advancing to esophageal cancer.

Our team assesses the severity of your condition and determines if treatment is necessary during routine monitoring with an upper endoscopy and biopsy.

Speak up!

If you’re concerned about GERD, visit us here in Trinity, Florida. Dr. Patel and the Bay Area Gastroenterology Associates team can help you determine the right treatments to stop your GERD and reduce your risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus.