Barrett's esophagus itself does not cause symptoms. However, people with this condition almost always have symptoms from GERD . GERD causes burning pain under the breastbone or in the upper abdomen. This pain is often called heartburn. It may increase when the person eats, bends over, or lies down.
Antacids usually relieve the pain.
Pain may increase at night or cause a person to wake up during the night. GERD is the major cause of Barrett's esophagus. Esophagitis, or chronic inflammation of the esophagus, can also lead to Barrett's esophagus. One-third of all people with scleroderma , a skin disorder, develop Barrett's esophagus. For some unknown reason, Barrett's esophagus occurs three times more often in males than in females.