GERD In Infants -- Best Advice For Baby

By Richard Smith

GERD in infants should not be confused with reflux which is normal behaviour.
A child up to the age of one will commonly bring food up after a meal - many a good suit has been ruined by an innocent baby! Babies are learning all the time and their bodies developing and adjusting to feeding routines. Most babies will have developed coordination of their digestive system after a year.

However, some babies experience the frequent vomiting and other symptoms. GERD in infants is diagnosed when not only vomiting occurs, but also frequent coughing, abdominal pain, abnormal waking up in the night, refusing to eat and respiratory problems.
However, its important to remember that the above symptoms may not be GERD in infants but actually could be other childhood conditions such as colic, pneumonia or respiratory problems. As always with any strange symptoms for an infant, see your doctor.

As babies find communicating their symptoms difficult, a more accurate diagnosis of GERD in infants can be made using various tests. The most common of these is a pH test is common and measures the acidity in the stomach over a period of time.
An upper GI series is also a common test. The baby consumes a quantity of radioactive liquid (it is harmless, even for an infant) and X-rays are taken during the swallowing action. This may reveal a potential cause of GERD in infants such as a hiatal hernia or a constriction.

Treatment of GERD in infants is for the most part very similar to treatment for adults. You should try feeding the baby smaller amounts more often, elevate the head of the bed slightly, reduce food if the baby has been overfed and holding the child upright for half an hour after feeding.

If these solutions do not work, then GERD in infants can be treated with drugs or surgery, especially if respiratory problems are a concern.
Whatever the case, you should consult your doctor to establish an accurate diagnosis and agree a treatment program for your baby.

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An Introduction To Acid Reflux Disease

By Louise Bell

Many people are familiar with Acid Reflux disease whose primary symptoms are severe heartburn sometimes accompanied by an urge to vomit. Adults, children and infants can all suffer from reflux disease but the symptoms are not always easily recognizable.

Acid Reflux disease is more commonly referred to as GERD which stands for Gastro esophageal Reflex disease. It is a condition where the food tube becomes irritated and/or inflamed when a part of the stomach contents, which has been mixed with hydrochloric acid in the digestion process, is refluxed or regurgitated back into the esophagus. The situation usually happens when the sphincter muscle at the end of the esophagus fails to close properly after food has finally reached the stomach.

Although acid reflux disease, in the early stages, can be treated at home, when there are complications like severe chest pain that radiates towards the arm, neck or back, it becomes necessary to seek medical advice. Also significant is heartburn accompanied by vomiting blood, difficulty in swallowing solids or liquids along with dark coffee colored stools. So if you see these symptoms of acid reflux, do not delay, go to a physician as early as possible.

Reflux Disease Tests
In order to ascertain the extent of the damage caused by acid reflux, certain tests are done of which the Barium meal X ray of the upper gastrointestinal tract is a simple one. However, in more complicated cases, an upper GI endoscopy is recommended. Here a flexible probe along with a tiny camera is passed down the throat of the patient after sedation. The camera travels all through the esophagus, sending images to the doctor sitting in front of a monitor. This way, the damage to the esophagus, if any, can be easily assessed and medication, if required, provided.

Medications To Treat The Disease
The primary aim of medication in treating acid reflux is to block the production of enzymes needed to produce stomach acids. They are known as Proton Pump Inhibitors or PPIs. PPIs include Omeprazole, Esomeprazole, Lansoprazole, Rabeprazole, Pantaprazole, etc. Sometimes agents that promote the condition such as Metoclopramide and Bethanochol are also recommended to help tighten the lower esophageal sphincter and promote faster emptying of the stomach.

Preventing Acid Reflux Disease
The best way to prevent reflux disease from occurring is to alter the things that cause reflux. Some of them are listed below:
• Maintain a healthy body weight.

• Stay away from fatty or acidic food.

• Instead of having three heavy meals a day, eat smaller amounts every two or three hours.

• Refrain from eating anything three hours prior to going to bed.

• Avoid alcohol, coffee and beer.

• Keep an upright posture while sitting.

Acid Reflux disease, though not fatal, can cause a lot of irritation and problems so it is advisable to remedy the problem as soon as you identify the symptoms.

Louise Bell writes on health topics from a lay person's perspective. To find out more about a whole range of topics from acid reflux in infants to acid reflux vitamin u, for example, visit her Health Tips website - justhealthmatters.com - or click on the links above to go straight to the specific topic pages.
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Help Information About Acid Reflux in Infants

By Morgan Hamilton

Many adults think that acid reflux in infants is absurd but it does occur. If you are a parent, then you would like to know if your baby has the disorder. Of course, you will also be interested to know how to treat this condition. Let me give you some information that can help you identify the symptoms and some approaches you can take to treat acid reflux in infants.

Vomiting is one of the common symptoms of this disorder. Now, you have to take note that this is different from the common spit-up that parents face on a daily basis. Babies that have acid reflux in infants may suffer from excessive vomiting that reoccurs through the day and through the night as well. It would be a good idea to seek medical attention if your baby throws up significantly throughout the course of the day.

The other symptoms of this disorder are subtle and may be difficult to recognize. For instance, a baby may have acid reflux disease if that infant is suffering from a cough that does not seem to go away and has difficulty breathing. Heartburn and abdominal pain are symptoms that are difficult to detect simply because the baby can’t tell you what specifically is wrong.

Gas and stomach discomfort are also signs of acid reflux in infants. These symptoms usually go with fussiness and crying, especially during and right after feedings. A baby that is suffering from this disorder may also have difficulty eating. These more subtle symptoms resemble colic and it is important to note that the two conditions may be related in some cases. Colic and acid reflux in infants often go hand in hand.

Let us proceed with the treatment of acid reflux in infants. Babies usually outgrow the condition but it is crucial that you consult his pediatrician if you believe that your baby has acid reflux. You can also try to reduce the symptoms while you are waiting for your appointment.

The first thing that you may try is to elevate the baby’s head. It is important to keep the baby’s head elevated since the problem with the condition is that that the contents in the stomach come up into the esophagus. Hold the baby upright for about 30 minutes after each feeding to make sure that his stomach has settled completely. Of course, you don’t want to pile pillows under your baby’s little head. You can purchase raisers that can be put under the mattress in the crib or right in the bassinette. You can easily install these inexpensive items.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Acid Reflux in Infants. Visit our site for more helpful information about Natural Medicine For Acid Reflux and other similar topics.
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Acid Reflux Treatment In Pregnancy Makes A Difference

By Ben Franklin

Acid reflux treatment in pregnancy can be a little tricky. Balancing cures, diet and exercise with what's good for both avoiding reflux and sticking to doctor's orders for the baby's sake can be tough.

Let's face it, sleeping can be difficult enough during pregnancy and the third trimester's the worst. Unfortunately, this is generally when acid reflux tends to rear its ugly head.
That's right. That awful burning feeling in the back of the throat, discomfort that feels like fire and a general sick feeling that makes sleeping almost impossible.
To deal with reflux in pregnancy, it's a good idea to understand first why it is so common. There are a lot of reasons acid reflux and pregnancy go hand-in-hand along with the typical heartburn many experience right out of the gate.

First off, pregnancy hormones can simply wreak havoc on the body and then there's the simple fact that the wonder of life that is your baby can, and does, press on organs in ways a first-time mother could never imagine. Sleeping can be hard enough without acid reflux, but it's an unfortunate side effect that can hamper the last few weeks.

So, what's a mom-to-be to do?
The first thing is to relax. While acid reflux is a nightmare, keep in mind that unless it's a medical condition that was present before the pregnancy, it will likely go away as soon as the baby is born. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
When trying to treat reflux in pregnancy, remember pregnant women cannot or should not take a lot of the medications that are suggested for acid reflux under normal conditions. Thus, some pre-emptive strikes to avoid the condition are in order.
Here are some things that can help a pregnant woman avoid horrible bouts of acid reflux and things to do to relieve the symptoms if they start:

How to avoid an attack:
* Stay away from foods that can cause reflux. This means just say no to chocolate! Sorry. It also means steering clear of acidic foods such as juices and fruits, tomatoes, vinegar and fried and fatty foods.
* Since you're pregnant and should already be staying clear of caffeine this hopefully won't be an issue, but if you've been having a few sodas or coffees a day, cut that out of your diet right away.
*Limit food intake. Don't overeat.
*Don't eat right before bed.
*Drink tons of water. This is not only good for helping stave off an acid reflux attack, it's also good for you and the baby.
*Elevate yourself when you sleep. Acid reflux involves a "backflow" of stomach contents into the esophagus, stop it before it starts by careful placement of pillows.

Even the best-laid plans don't always work for a woman nearing term. If acid reflux strikes, check with your doctor about what you can take. Some find that pregnancy-friendly Tums help, others find getting up, walking around for a little bit followed up by some water does the trick.

Don't get discouraged and just do your best to relax and let the symptoms pass. Remember, acid reflux in pregnancy tends to go away completely after the baby's birth. Think of it as a little bump in the road on the way to something fantastic and you'll do fine!

#1 ResourceAcid Reflux and pregnancy information.http://www.acidrefluxrx.com
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What You Can Do to Lessen the Effects of Infant Acid Reflux

By Arturo Ronzon

Infant acid reflux is usually more devastating to the parents than it is to the child suffering with the condition. Sure, they will spit up a lot and cry, but they won’t remember any of that. You on the other hand will never forget the frustration and despair you experienced when your baby was suffering with infant acid reflux.

There are some things you can do to help lessen the effects and manage the symptoms of infant acid reflux. The best thing you can do is have patience and know that the condition will not last forever and it will not harm your child in any lasting way.

Your baby should begin to outgrow infant acid reflux at about six months of age. It is thought that because the baby is spending more time sitting upright rather than lying down, and this is said that in itself, will help prevent spit ups. After you have fed your baby, you can try keeping her in an upright position and quiet. Once the baby has finished her bottle and burped, sit her in your lap with her head nestled on your chest. Stay this way for at least thirty minutes after she has finished eating.

Another step you can take to reduce the symptoms of infant acid reflux is to offer smaller meals more frequently. When your baby suffers with infant acid reflux, you should feed the child twice as often and feed only half as much. Your baby will be able to digest smaller amounts of formula quicker, thus eliminating extra acid production.

A great way to avoid the more severe symptoms of infant acid reflux is to breast feed your baby and be careful of the food you are eating as it can pass into the milk that feeds your baby. Continue breast feeding as long as it is feasible to you, as feeding a baby with infant acid reflux formula can only worsen the symptoms. Breast milk contains digestion aiding enzymes that can minimize the effects of infant acid reflux.

For more information about Infant Acid Reflux, feel free to visit us at: http://www.about-acid-reflux.com/Infant-Acid-Reflux.html
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Acid Reflux In Babies

By Francisco Lakay

Acid reflux in infants is generally diagnosed by the following symptoms: heartburn, gas, vomiting, coughing and abdominal pains. However, because babies are not able to speak for themselves, it is important to monitor your baby very closely for visible signs, e.g. does your baby starts crying after passing gas? The good news is that most babies outgrow acid reflux, but it has been reported in older children too. As soon as it is diagnosed, it can be easily treated successfully.

Common problems associated with acid reflux in babies include colic, recurrent gagging, breathing problems, poor growth and wheezing.

Preventive measures to alleviate acid reflux in babies are:

(1) keep baby upright for 30 minutes after a feed,

(2) changing the feeding schedule,

(3) thicken bottle feedings with cereal, and

(4)elevate the head of baby's bed.

Acid reflux in infants can also be treated with antacids (e.g. Maalox), acid blockers (e.g. Prevacid), and acid suppressors (e.g. Zantac). It should be taken into consideration that babies differ from one another and one case might also differ from another. Therefore, it is always advisable to take your baby to the doctor for an assessment of his/her condition and not to treat your baby at home, based on information gathered from an internet source only.

Remember treatment will also be age-related and based on severity. On the flip-side, most infants suffer from acid reflux during the first 3 months of age and it normally disappears between 12 and 18 months of age.

Useful resources:

1) Natural Cure for Acid Reflux

2) Acid Alkaline Diet Simplified

Yours in health,
Francisco M. Lakay http://acidrefluxbabies.blogspot.com/
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Recognize the Symptoms of Acid Reflux In Babies

By Kerry Ng

It's very frustrating to be a parent or a caregiver whose baby is upset and crying if you don't know what is wrong. Your infant doesn't have a way to communicate yet, so crying is the main sign of hunger or discomfort. Learning about all the various issues that the average baby or toddler may suffer from can help. The more you know, the more you can do to help your child to feel better. One subject that many parents and caregivers do not know much about is how to recognize the symptoms of acid reflux in babies.

Yes, even tiny infants can suffer from acid reflux. In fact, it’s quite common, as the digestive symptom in infants is not yet fully developed. They also have no capacity yet to tell when they are full, nor to communicate this to their parents. What this means is that babies cannot always keep the foods and liquids they’ve been fed inside their stomachs. In addition, most infants spend a majority of their time lying down which, as any adult sufferer of acid reflux will tell you, only exacerbates the symptoms of acid reflux. In babies this is no different, so if your child seems to be suffering from acid reflux-related discomfort, try putting him or her in a seat or carrier that allows an upright position for a larger portion of the day.

It is very important to recognize the symptoms of acid reflux in babies, as failing to deal with it can lead to failure to thrive, due to the baby not getting enough nutrition. Allowing the esophagus to be continually exposed to the stomach acids can also lead to tissue damage or even scarring and potentially to breathing problems later in life.
But it can be hard to tell the difference between normal infant vomiting & grumpiness and the more serious symptoms of acid reflux in babies. It’s perfectly normal for babies to cough up their food, due to the same immaturity of the digestive system that causes the symptoms of acid reflux in babies in the first place. And since they cannot yet communicate, they are unable to convey just why they may be feeling uncomfortable or even in pain. If your infant’s vomiting seems to be happening after every meal, or if he or she is also having breathing troubles, you should consider that these might be symptoms of acid reflux, and see your pediatrician.

Treatment of the symptoms of acid reflux in babies may range from simply feeding your baby different foods and adjusting his or her sleeping conditions to prescription medications. Whatever treatment your doctor prescribes, be sure to follow instructions carefully, as symptoms of acid reflux in babies can quickly lead to more serious conditions.

Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Acid Reflux Blog. Click here for more helpful information about Acid Reflux: http://theacidrefluxblog.com/acid-reflux-and-chest-pain
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