Infant Acid Reflux

Sometimes called Pediatric Gerd, it's a problem that many infants face. We burp babies and they spit up. That is a common occurance and no cause for any alarm. In some infants, persistent stomach troubles can be a sign of infant acid reflux or gastroesophogeal reflux disease or GERD. This problem can keep your children awake when they should be sleeping. It can cause your child to throw up.

Stomach acid comes up in their throat. Usually a child will outgrow the condition. Even children can manage the condition with lifestyle changes. Other children may need medication. In drastic cases, your child may need surgery to manage of cure acid reflux.

Experts say that reflux disease can be controlled. Children and their parents can lead normal and healthy lives.

Infant Acid Reflux

Experts say than more than half of all babies experience acid reflux in the first 3 months of their lives. When spitting up is persistent, and interferes with feeding , weight gain and the ability for the baby to thrive there may obviously be a problem.

This persistent reflux is called gastroesophogeal reflux disease. The chances are great that most infants will certainly outgrow this condition. In rare cases, the condition can last into young adulthood.

I once heard of a case of a young couple who experienced acid reflux in their infant daughter. The early days after their daughter was born was very difficult. The baby girl was not getting any food inside her. She wasn't sleeping and the parents became very worried. They knew something was not right. The baby would sometimes cry for 6-7 hours at a time. Their daughter was only eating about a tenth of what she should be eating.

Reflux disease occurs when an infants lower Esophageal Muscular Sphincter (where the esophagus enters the stomach) opens at the wrong time. It opens when it is supposed to be closed, and closes when it's supposed to be open. This condition allows stomach acid to flow backward up into the esophagus. These stomach fluids are acidic and can burn and scar the tissues of the esophagus. It's possible that these acids can even reach the mouth, nose or end up flowing into the respiratory tract.

GERD is reflux. Gerd symptoms infants can be:

• Irritability
• Arching
• Feeding refusal
  

GERD symptoms in older children can be:

• Spit-up burps
• Abdominal pain
• Respiratory symptoms

If your child or infant has a lot of discomfort as they regurgitate and spit-up they may quit eating. That's when it becomes a serious problem. If your child does not seem to be correct in height and weight, immediately visit your pediatrician.

For the small percentage of children who don't outgrow infant acid reflux in infancy, there are many treatments and therapies that can help.

Techniques to help relieve the symptoms of reflux and help parents and their children lead normal lives. 

Did you know that all babies cry more than an hour a day? Seek professional advice if the crying is prolonged.

Reflux disease in children can present itself differently than adult GERD. In adults, heartburn is the major symptom. GERD in children can manifest itself through stomach pain but can also include asthma, breathing difficulties, persistent cough and a refusal to eat. Symptoms can also change frequently. As the child grows, the reflux disease may go away.

Pediatric Gerd

A child who has reflux disease may have a chronic condition that may be hard to handle for both of you. There is good news. Lifestyle changes, altering the diet and possibly medication can make a difference or cure reflux disease.

GERD symptoms from birth to 24 months:

• Persistent regurgitation or vomiting
• Poor weight gain and growth
• Inconsolable, severe crying & irritability
• Persistent food refusal, difficulty eating
• Hoarse voice or hoarse cry
• Difficulty breathing, coughing and/or wheezing

GERD symptoms 2 - 12 years old:

• Persistent regurgitation
• Weight loss or poor weight gain
• Frequent sensation of food or liquid into the throat or mouth
• Hoarse voice or frequent sore throat
• Frequent discomfort in the stomach or chest
• Painful or difficulty swallowing
• Wheezing, coughing, hoarseness or asthma

Reflux in children can be triggered by certain foods or overeating, obesity and medications.

Lifestyle changes you can make for infants with acid reflux:

• Elevating the head of the crib or bassinet
• Holding baby upright for 30 minutes
• Thickening bottle with cereal
• Changing feeding schedules
• Trying solid foods

There seems to be an association with GERD and asthma as doctors have discovered. The association seems to be related to acid irritation in the lower esophagus. There are nerve endings that are triggered with acid sitting on the lining of the esophagus. This can lead to bronchial spams. When you get spasms of the airways and lungs that is basically what asthma is.

GERD complications:

• Erosive esophagus
• Barrett's esophagus
• Esophageal cancer

Prescription medications can be used to treat children's acid reflux in all age groups. Studies have shown there have not been significant complications using these reflux medications.

Lifestyle changes for older children with acid reflux:

• Elevating the head of the child's bed
• Keeping child upright two hours after eating
• Several smaller meals
• Limiting foods and beverages such as citrus, fried, fatty, spicy foods, carbonated beverages, chocolates, dairy products, caffeine
• Limiting meals or snacks 2 hours prior to bedtime
• Eat right, lose weight and exercise

For some people, acid reflux can be a lifelong condition. Medical experts will tell you that the condition can be managed. Children living with GERD can lead normal, healthy lives.

Children have favorite food. As a parent, you should try to find a balance for their favorite food and their reflux condition that will keep it in check and also keep your child happy. By exploring all of the options with your physician, you can be confident that you are on the right track.

"Well written and very easy to follow. Just as the name suggests, this book is like a basic educational course on infant acid reflux."

"This book is extremely well written with a lot of information yet in an easy to read format. When I first read that medical advice was not given, I was concerned that it would not have very much detail. Much to my surprise, there is a lot of detail and explanation. You will read about symptoms, diagnosis, medications, medical tests, etc. In between all of the specifics are side bar stories, anecdotes and real life info from parents who have lived through children with reflux."

A Great List Of Acid Reflux Products

I have assembled what I consider to be a an excellent list of products pertaining to acid reflux for your review. It is my hope that I have helped you find what you are looking for.

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