If you watch much television, you will probably hear much about acid reflux. But there is something that commercials do not tell … acid reflux can affect your children too.
By some estimates, approximately between 2 and 7 percent of children with this condition compared to a fifth of adults.
Temporary periods of acid reflux are common and can be caused by several factors.
Fortunately, almost always during mild periods than expected and its aftermath heal by themselves. However, other reasons for acid reflux in young people can be more severe and the consequences of chronic acid reflux can be for long.
With so much at risk, what to do when you suspect your child or baby has acid reflux or signs of abdominal pain, sore throat or mouth, or heartburn?
Dr. Mark Gilger, a gastroenterologist at Texas Children’s, offers some tips.
First, he emphasizes the importance of seeking medical help if your child has any discomfort more than light and isolated.
While adults can safely medicate by taking digestive problems rare counter antacids, such diagnosis and treatment in a child home may mask or exacerbate the fundamental signals you need to be in medical research. Besides, it may delay healing and cause the risk of permanent damage.
“The stomach acids are very powerful, and must be within the stomach. A continuous regurgitation into esophagus that would otherwise be healthy worsens the irritation, even puts its sufferers at risk of cancer in extreme cases,” said the doctor.
Then Gilger suggests that young people with acid reflux may be considered in two groups: infants and children through adolescence.
In either group, the problems usually come from:
• Mechanics of the digestive system: usually a faulty valve at the base of the esophagus (in medical terms is a relaxation transient lower esophageal muscle) or, in infants, a digestive tract is not mature enough.
• Lifestyle: sleep habits and eating at any age, in older children, sometimes obesity and smoking.
• A lot of other factors, including some drugs that can sometimes be related too.
• Popular culture represents the acid reflux (or “heartburn” as referred incorrectly) as a common problem in middle age and older, which is why it is surprising to learn that children, even infants can suffer.
• The truth is that the digestive tracts of many newborns, perhaps even most, are not sufficiently prepared to function normally. In infants, it is normal to have some reflux, which is called physiologic reflux. In most cases this resolves with time, when mature the babies’ digestive tracts.
All babies spit up. But if the doctor says his needs more attention and affection in this area, rest assured: The digestive tract matures by itself within six months to a year or so.
But what if the problems do not disappear? What if your older child continue to suffer from acid reflux? Or if the acid reflux symptoms start later?
The intervention of a doctor is of utmost importance in these cases as well.
The problem could be due to temporary disturbances such as sensitivity to certain foods or structural disorders, such as a stricture (a narrowing, in other words) in the digestive tract. Other causes may not be clear, including a prolonged irritation caused by previous episodes of acid reflux.
The initial treatment will involve changes in lifestyle, such as avoiding smoking and eating foods that can cause problems such as:
• Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate also) – “It’s like pouring gasoline on the fire,” said Gilger, because caffeine makes your stomach produce more acid.
• Oily and fatty foods, “These delays the digestion and make the acids stay longer,” said the doctor.
• Lose weight and change positions during sleep can improve things too. Elevate head of bed that gravity helps keep stomach acid in the stomach. The wedge-shaped pillows can be a good sleep aid, suggested Wedge Gilger, but you can get the same result with home media, such as elevating the head of the bed with one or two bricks.
Your doctor may also submit your child to try to counter medications and prescription.
However, Gilger said that we must be wary of magical cures. Beyond the dietary advice listed above, there is no evidence that a particular food or herbal treatment solve the problem.
With a condition as widespread as acid reflux treatment is a huge opportunity to make money, which can lead to false marketing promises. So the buyer beware on the Internet and elsewhere.
The good news is that most cases of acid reflux can be corrected, or at least controlled while digestive tract heals itself. Even if it is discovered a major cause behind the acid reflux condition of your child, you can almost always relieve symptoms and minimize the harmful consequences.
Whatever the reason suspected, it is always important to call your doctor if your child or teen has recurring digestive upset and do not go away.
By some estimates, approximately between 2 and 7 percent of children with this condition compared to a fifth of adults.
Temporary periods of acid reflux are common and can be caused by several factors.
Fortunately, almost always during mild periods than expected and its aftermath heal by themselves. However, other reasons for acid reflux in young people can be more severe and the consequences of chronic acid reflux can be for long.
With so much at risk, what to do when you suspect your child or baby has acid reflux or signs of abdominal pain, sore throat or mouth, or heartburn?
Dr. Mark Gilger, a gastroenterologist at Texas Children’s, offers some tips.
First, he emphasizes the importance of seeking medical help if your child has any discomfort more than light and isolated.
While adults can safely medicate by taking digestive problems rare counter antacids, such diagnosis and treatment in a child home may mask or exacerbate the fundamental signals you need to be in medical research. Besides, it may delay healing and cause the risk of permanent damage.
“The stomach acids are very powerful, and must be within the stomach. A continuous regurgitation into esophagus that would otherwise be healthy worsens the irritation, even puts its sufferers at risk of cancer in extreme cases,” said the doctor.
Then Gilger suggests that young people with acid reflux may be considered in two groups: infants and children through adolescence.
In either group, the problems usually come from:
• Mechanics of the digestive system: usually a faulty valve at the base of the esophagus (in medical terms is a relaxation transient lower esophageal muscle) or, in infants, a digestive tract is not mature enough.
• Lifestyle: sleep habits and eating at any age, in older children, sometimes obesity and smoking.
• A lot of other factors, including some drugs that can sometimes be related too.
• Popular culture represents the acid reflux (or “heartburn” as referred incorrectly) as a common problem in middle age and older, which is why it is surprising to learn that children, even infants can suffer.
• The truth is that the digestive tracts of many newborns, perhaps even most, are not sufficiently prepared to function normally. In infants, it is normal to have some reflux, which is called physiologic reflux. In most cases this resolves with time, when mature the babies’ digestive tracts.
All babies spit up. But if the doctor says his needs more attention and affection in this area, rest assured: The digestive tract matures by itself within six months to a year or so.
But what if the problems do not disappear? What if your older child continue to suffer from acid reflux? Or if the acid reflux symptoms start later?
The intervention of a doctor is of utmost importance in these cases as well.
The problem could be due to temporary disturbances such as sensitivity to certain foods or structural disorders, such as a stricture (a narrowing, in other words) in the digestive tract. Other causes may not be clear, including a prolonged irritation caused by previous episodes of acid reflux.
The initial treatment will involve changes in lifestyle, such as avoiding smoking and eating foods that can cause problems such as:
• Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate also) – “It’s like pouring gasoline on the fire,” said Gilger, because caffeine makes your stomach produce more acid.
• Oily and fatty foods, “These delays the digestion and make the acids stay longer,” said the doctor.
• Lose weight and change positions during sleep can improve things too. Elevate head of bed that gravity helps keep stomach acid in the stomach. The wedge-shaped pillows can be a good sleep aid, suggested Wedge Gilger, but you can get the same result with home media, such as elevating the head of the bed with one or two bricks.
Your doctor may also submit your child to try to counter medications and prescription.
However, Gilger said that we must be wary of magical cures. Beyond the dietary advice listed above, there is no evidence that a particular food or herbal treatment solve the problem.
With a condition as widespread as acid reflux treatment is a huge opportunity to make money, which can lead to false marketing promises. So the buyer beware on the Internet and elsewhere.
The good news is that most cases of acid reflux can be corrected, or at least controlled while digestive tract heals itself. Even if it is discovered a major cause behind the acid reflux condition of your child, you can almost always relieve symptoms and minimize the harmful consequences.
Whatever the reason suspected, it is always important to call your doctor if your child or teen has recurring digestive upset and do not go away.
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Aysa Ghyna - Sunday, September 2, 2012 - 3:29 PM
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