| There are studies that show Gastroesophageal | | | | weight, losing weight, hoarseness, |
| Reflux (GER), usually referred to as acid | | | | bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, loud |
| reflux is not a unique thing in children of | | | | breathing, sinus infections, lots of saliva, |
| any age. Acid reflux in children and babies | | | | drooling and neck arching. |
| are quite common. In fact, over seven million | | | | |
| American children have acid reflux. The | | | | Complications of Acid Reflux in Children |
| underdeveloped digestive systems in children | | | | |
| make them more susceptible to the disorder. | | | | Young babies will spit up (regurgitate) a |
| When children reach the age of two, the | | | | little of the milk you give them; this is |
| reflux should be better and may be gone. If | | | | common. However, heartburn and esophagitis |
| you realize that the condition in your child | | | | will make this regurgitation a problem that |
| is not gone and is instead getting worse, you | | | | needs attention. Heartburn is the burning |
| need to call your child's doctor. | | | | sensation you feel when acid comes from the |
| | | | stomach to the esophagus. Esophagitis is the |
| Describing Acid Reflux in Children | | | | swelling and reddening of the esophagus |
| | | | because of the acid reflux. It not only |
| Acid reflux occurs when the stomach contents | | | | hurts; it also makes eating difficult. |
| and the acid that it makes go back up into | | | | Bleeding from the esophagus can happen if the |
| the esophagus. The acid causes irritation and | | | | condition becomes severe. This will cause |
| pain to the esophagus. It may also force the | | | | poor growing habits, not swallowing right, |
| food to come out of the mouth of the child. A | | | | problems breathing and tooth decay in babies. |
| child may vomit with force or experience a | | | | |
| wet burp that does not come all the way out | | | | Treating Acid Reflux in Children |
| of the mouth. | | | | |
| | | | There are different treatments available for |
| Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Children | | | | acid reflux in children. Children usually |
| | | | outgrow the acid reflux by one year of age. |
| There are many different symptoms that can | | | | You will need to learn how to position and |
| present themselves with acid reflux in | | | | feed your baby in order to give him or her |
| children. The common symptoms of acid reflux | | | | relief from the pain. Getting your child in |
| in children are pain, irritability, vomiting | | | | an upright position will let him or her |
| or spitting up, sudden crying, colic | | | | digest food better. Gravity will help to keep |
| symptoms, not able to eat, not sleeping | | | | things where they are supposed to be. Burping |
| right, wet burps and bad breath. | | | | your child more and not feeding your child |
| | | | with foods high in fats will also help. In |
| Less known symptoms of acid reflux in | | | | some cases, acid reflux medication may be |
| children are problems with swallowing, | | | | needed. In severe cases, a child may need |
| gagging, choking, sore throat, not gaining | | | | stronger acid reflux medications or surgery. |