Infants and Acid Reflux

By Seth Miller

Infant acid reflux is quite common. People of all ages, especially infants because they consume only liquids or soft foods, suffer from mild heartburn or acidic regurgitation on occasion. As in adult cases, infants experience acid reflux when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is relaxed. The LES acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach. It opens up to allow food into the stomach and then closes in order to protect the esophagus and other organs from acidic reflux. Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine if an infant has developed a chronic form of heartburn called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

In order to determine if an infant has a chronic form of heartburn (GERD) you should consult your pediatrician. Look for clues such as sleeping problems, coughing, weight loss, lack of appetite, spitting up frequently, and apnea. Acid reflux disease can cause respiratory problems including pneumonia, strictures and ulcerations on the esophageal wall, and malnourishment. Infant acid reflux symptoms usually include recurrent coughing, bad breath, spitting up frequently, unusual irritability and crying, chest pain, and sore throat.

There are several causes of acid reflux in infants. Many of the causes are exacerbated by the fact that infants, much more so than adults, consume mostly liquids and spend a great deal of time on their backs or in a supine position. Combined with the backwash potential of liquids, lying down puts pressure on the LES (esophagus valve) and increases the chances for reflux. Other causes could be attributed to the anatomy of a child’s stomach position, poor eating habits, smoking (second hand), being overweight, and food allergies.

In addition to GERD, infants can be diagnosed with a functional version of acid reflux. This condition can be improved with simple modifications such as changing eating habits, keeping the child upright after eating, and encouragement. GERD, or the chronic disease, requires medical treatment by a physician, prescription drug therapy, as well as lifestyle changes.

Acid Reflux Info provides comprehensive information on the cause, symptoms, treatment, and diet associated with normal and infant acid reflux. Acid Reflux Info is the sister site of Pain Relief Web.
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Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Babies - Learning to Recognizing Them

By Scott Nichols

Acid reflux is typically considered an adult disease. However, it is actually common among infants. Some sources claim nearly 50% of infants end up suffering from acid reflux within only first few months of their lives.

Most parents find their inability to understand and interpret the symptoms of acid reflux in babies frustrating. A baby who experiences acid reflux can only express this through crying, leaving the parent mystified as to the true cause of the behavior.

The sooner parents educate themselves about issues commonly afflicting infants and toddlers, including acid reflux, the sooner they can prevent their baby’s pain -- and their own -- and end their own frustration. This is especially important because of the potential long-term negative effects of acid reflux on an infant. These include a baby’s failure to thrive because he or she does not eat enough food. Some babies experience breathing problems as a resulting of damage to their esophageal tissue caused by acid reflux.

Good News About Acid Reflux in Babies
Babies who experience acid reflux exhibit behavior typical among babies. Experienced parents know that babies spit up, vomit and experience irritability regularly. It is difficult, therefore, for them to discriminate between normal baby behavior and symptoms of acid reflux in babies.

Diagnosis of acid reflux in infants depends mainly on how frequent and how severe the symptoms of acid reflux in babies are. Babies suffering from acid reflux cannot keep stomach contents in their stomachs. A baby who vomits each time he or she eats could very well be exhibiting symptoms of acid reflux in babies.

Unlike adult acid reflux disease, musculature does not seem to be the cause of acid reflux in infants. Instead, a baby’s young and underdeveloped digestive system is not yet well-coordinated. As a result, a baby's stomach may become too full too fast. The situation is aggravated by the amount of time infants spend on their backs compared to adults.

Parents who suspect their infant is exhibiting symptoms of acid reflux in babies should have their pediatrician examine their baby. As with adults, the first step is a lifestyle change involving things like thickening the baby food with cereal. If dietary changes fail to resolve the symptoms of acid reflux in babies, the baby may be given over-the-counter or prescription medications. Another option is a special bed that allows the infant to sleep in an inclined position, reducing the reflux.

Whatever the cause of acid reflux in babies and regardless what solution provides them with the most relief, it is certainly good news that majority of infants tend to not suffer long-term consequences as a result of having the disease.

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Acid Reflux Disease in Infants

By Michael Russell

Some medical conditions have no respect for age; the young or the old, and Acid Reflux, also known in medical terms as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) seems to be one of them. The lower end of the esophagus is protected by a valve called the Lower Esophageal sphincter (LES). This valve opens to allow food from the esophagus into the stomach and then closes up to protect the esophagus from the acid content of the stomach. Several conditions can compromise this valve, allowing gastric content into the esophagus. As in adults, infants also suffer from heartburn on occasions. This is mainly attributed to the fact that infants consume essentially liquid and soft foods, which tend to be rich in diary proteins. The most unfortunate part of infant acid reflux disease is that, unlike in adults, it is very difficult to determine if an infant has developed chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease. An infant is most unlikely to be able to complain of heartburn or any symptoms of the disease.

Acid reflux in infants is always as a result of a lot of factors, however, most of the causative factors tend to be aggravated by the fact that infants, spend a great deal of their days lying on their back or in a supine position and consume mostly liquid food. The tendency for liquid food to cause regurgitation, when combined with the pressure lying in a supine position exerts on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) constitutes a greater risk of reflux acid incidence in infants. The incidence, however, could also be attributed to some other factors like, the anatomy of the infant's stomach, improper or incomplete development of the lower esophageal sphincter during fetal growth, poor diet, overweight, food allergies and a host of other factors.

Because infants, unlike adults, cannot complain of symptoms or explain how they feel, it is always very difficult to know when an infant is suffering from acid reflux. The best bet is to consult a pediatrician. Nevertheless, there are signs and clues that you may look out for in your infant that could suggest the presence of the disease. Some of these clues are:

- Sleeping problems

- Coughing- Weight loss

- Lack of appetite

- Spitting up frequently

- Apnea

- Unusual irritability

- Chest pain

- Sore throat

- Bad breath

- Crying

Acid reflux disease can also cause respiratory problems including pneumonia, strictures and ulcerations on the esophageal wall, and malnourishment. Although, these signs don't always mean your infant is suffering from acid reflux disease, but they constitute a good enough reason to go see your pediatrician.

Of course, there are a few things you could do to help your child avoid acid reflux. Simple things like changing the child's food, keeping him/her upright for some time, especially after eating, keeping a eye on the child for any sign of chest pain or heartburn and a host of others. This extra attention could be all your child really needs.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Acid Reflux.
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