Brief Answer:
please go through detailed answer.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Have gone through your details and i appreciate your concerns.
Stomach is lined by a natural layer of mucosa membrane which is resistant to acid however mucosa in esophagus is easily destroyed by acid which regurgitates back from stomach.This cause severe irritation of esophagus leading to inflammation. the esophagus reacts to the repeated injury from the acidic fluid by changing the type of cells lining it from squamous (normal cells) to columnar (intestinal-type cells). This transformation, called metaplasia, is believed to be a protective response because the specialized columnar epithelium (epithelium means lining) in Barrett's esophagus is more resistant to injury from acid than the squamous epithelium.However in long term it increases risk of adenocarcinoma by 5%.
So answer 1 is yes it requires a long term treatment.
2.Prognosis is excellent if treated properly.
3.Depend on life style changes and strict diet modification changes plus if you follow medicines properly or not.
4.99.9% of times conservative treatment is done.
5.Not curable but fully controllable.

Now management consists of two step-
1)Control acid production PPI's are available in market.

2)Prevent reflux of acid formed back to esophagus-This part is completely overlooked by most Gastro and is the key factor.

Please request your gastroenterologist to start you on PPI-antacids like Esomeprazole.
Esomeprazole can be used in the dosage as high as 80 mg twice daily.Trials have shown that esomeprazole is superior to other PPI's in controlling reflux symptoms. Also, request him/her to add Domperidone 30mg or Levosulpiride(both are prokinetic)slow release once daily. This will slow down the reflux of acid back.Prokineic should be added in your regimen.

An antacid containing local anesthetic (Mucaine gel ) should be taken 2tsf thrice daily.

Acotiamide is another wonderful new drug and is very effective in controlling symptoms of GERD and esophagitis. In trials- Acotiamide, a gastrointestinal motility modulator, at a standard dose of 100mg thrice daily has significantly affected esophageal motor functions or gastroesophageal reflux in healthy adults.

To prevent the esophageal damage from developing into late stage Barett ask your gastroenterologist to follow aggressive treatment pattern initially. As your symptoms will improve drugs can be tappered off gradually.
Avoid-
Dairy products, which contain sugar lactose that causes gas.
Vegetables, including onions, radishes, cabbage, celery, carrots, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and legumes.
Fruit sugar, which is especially high in prunes, raisins, bananas, apples, apricots and fruit juices from prunes, grapes and apples
Fiber.
Fatty foods and carbonated drinks.

Try Eating more fermented foods. These are rich in both good bacteria and enzymes you can try raw natto kefir or cultured veggies. This is probably one of the most important first steps.
Take a high-quality probiotic.
Take external enzyme supplements.
Exercising, to help keep food moving through your system.
Thanks.

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