Forewords

About the author

After 30 years as a teacher, deputy head and adviser for science and technology for 4-13 year olds, Chris took early retirement on health grounds. After years working for Barrett's Wessex, the charity he co-founded, and as a trustee of the national charity, Barrett's OesophagusCampaign (BOC), he now manages Barrett's Patient Support, a member of Action Against Heartburn (AAH).

He is a keen cyclist and has cycled to raise funds in Europe, East Asia and South America.

You may read a summary of Chris's Story here.

Author's notes

Acid reflux and its complications is one of the most common complaints in the Western world and there are many charlatans and snake oil salesmen ready to exploit the misery of the gullible and desperate unwary. “Barrett's Esophagus Cure” says the headline while the small print asks $29.95 to let you download the misguided and potentially harmful file.

This site started as a printed encyclopaedia, largely composed of answers provided at various times to questions posed on on-line forums. Apologies if there are some duplications of information. It is intended to be an encyclopaedia to be dipped into as required.

I have attempted to tear a hole in a shroud to reveal detail beneath. As with all holes, there’ll be some loose threads which could be unravelled making the hole bigger but leaving even more loose threads.

I am not a doctor but can speak on most of the contents of this book from first hand experience and from the experiences of the hundreds I have met either in person or in on-line forums and facebook pages.

This book should not replace any advice provided by your GP.

Acknowlegements

Illustrations

Although some illustrations are the creation of the author, most are believed to be public domain or the creator's consent approved.

Inclusion within this work of illustrations from commercial medical companies does not imply their endorsement of this work nor vice versa.

Apologies are offered if inadvertently copyright has been breached. If you believe this to be so, please inform the author immediately so this may be addressed.

Accuracy and proof-reading

The author would like to thank all the specialist medics, surgeons and nurses for taking the time to check the accuracy of this work and the patients who have checked for legibility.

Language

Whereas this site is primarily in UK English, some American spellings may be encountered, particularly in quotations from research papers where US English was originally used. These include esophagus for oesophagus and GERD for GORD.

This page was last updated on 13 January 2023