Symptoms of Acid Reflux: Telltale Signs To Watch Out For
It is very easy to shrug off the symptoms of acid reflux at least at the onset when the disease is not severe enough to cause significant discomfort. After all, most people have bouts with increased acid levels in their digestive system manifesting in different ways that often go away without any need for medication or treatment. Those, however, with symptoms of acid reflux that are persistent and are becoming bothersome should be conscious enough to observe their symptoms and then consult a medical professional at the soonest time possible to get a clear diagnosis and to get on the right treatment path.
The simplest treatment procedures to alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux usually involve short-term medication and avoidance of triggers, while the more serious cases would often entail more diagnostic tests and more intensive treatments including surgeries. Identifying the symptoms of acid reflux is the key to getting the right treatment at the earliest possible time and to prevent the disease from worsening and developing into more serious conditions.
First Alarm: Time to Pay More Attention to Your Body
The most common symptoms of acid reflux are sour, wet burps and regurgitation or the feeling of acidic juices and undigested food going up the back of the throat. This normally happens after a heavy meal, especially those that include foods that are highly acidic, fatty, and salty. This diet and other unhealthy practices are also pinpointed to result in heartburn or chest pain as one of the symptoms of acid reflux. While these symptoms of acid reflux should not cause any worries, paying attention to bodily signals and avoiding the triggers that seem to bring about these symptoms should be enough to stop acid reflux from causing significant damage to the esophagus. Carefully noting and observing these symptoms of acid reflux and its aggravating factors would come in handy when the patient visits his physician for a consultation.
Second Alarm: No Time to Be Beating in the Bush
When symptoms of acid reflux are persistent and bothersome, it is definitely time to stop dilly-dallying and to pay a visit to the physician’s clinic for proper diagnosis and treatment advice. Symptoms of acid reflux escalating from occasional to frequent bouts of acidic vomit, heartburn, chest pain, and throat discomfort are definitely cause for concern. These symptoms of acid reflux should not be dismissed as merely results of overeating or of a highly stressful incidence. In some cases, these persistent symptoms could indicate that the acid reflux has progressed into a more specific ailment like gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD) and extraesophageal reflux disease (EERD) or silent reflux sans the heartburn symptoms. Some of these symptoms of acid reflux could actually point to ailments and conditions more serious than acid reflux like serious gastrointestinal damage or heart ailments including angina and heart attack.
Red Alert for Severe Symptoms of Acid Reflux : Extreme Measures Might Be Necessary
Severe acid reflux symptoms warrant immediate medical attention especially if medications prove to be ineffective and if the symptoms of acid reflux cause more than just minor gastrointestinal discomfort. Aside from persistent symptoms of acid reflux, the red alert symptoms indicating more serious conditions that might necessitate more aggressive treatment and extreme measures include: sudden weight loss, anemia, bloody vomit, bloody or tarry stools, painful swallowing, persistent hiccups, and nausea lasting for weeks or even months. These red alert symptoms of acid reflux would indicate the need for more in-depth testing procedures like esophageal pH monitoring, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and biopsies to diagnose or rule out possible acid reflux complications as Barrett’s esophagus leading to esophageal adenocarcinoma or cancer of the esophagus. At this point, possible treatments and medications would depend on the specific diagnosis of the disease into which the acid reflux has developed – in the rare case of esophageal cancer, very few treatments options are available with small tumors removed through surgery and larger tumors limited to treatment with palliative care. Other diseases outside of the gastrointestinal and digestive system could also develop as a result of severe symptoms of acid reflux, which makes it all the more important for patients to be watchful of the symptoms of acid reflux so that the necessary treatment procedures could be implemented right away.
Acid reflux is not a difficult disease to treat especially if it is diagnosed early on, with nothing more than keen personal observation skills required for a patient to spot the symptoms of acid reflux and be prompted to see his physician. It is very rare for the symptoms of acid reflux to develop into extremely serious diseases – a number of patients develop GERD at most but, only a scant percentage of these patients develop Barrett’s esophagus and eventually esophageal cancer. With a few lifestyle changes and over-the-counter antacids and medications to nip the first alert symptoms of acid reflux in the bud, a patient can be cured of his symptoms within a few weeks or months. Basically, a shift towards as healthier lifestyle that advocates healthy eating of the right foods in the right portions at the right time, keeping within the healthy weight range, managing stress levels effectively, and staying away from vices and bad habits can keep the symptoms of acid reflux at bay, unless the cause of the acid reflux disease is structural in nature. Whatever symptoms of acid reflux a patient is experiencing, consulting a physician would be the best course of action for the right diagnosis to be made and for the right treatment to be recommended.
Acid Reflux in Babies: What to Look for in Your Child?
Acid Reflux In Babies
Acid reflux in babies would sound like an intimidating term or others may perceive it as a rare occurrence among children. However, acid reflux in babies is actually a very common problem among infants. Gastroesophageal reflux, the technical term for acid reflux, is defined as based from its words occurs when the gastric or stomach contents go back or “reflux” to the esophagus.
Acid reflux in babies can occur at any time of the day but is predisposed by an increase in the pressure of the abdominal area such as in coughing, crying or straining, yet most of the time, acid reflux in babies happens during the feeding time.
A common symptom of acid reflux in babies is spitting up with frequent or recurring episodes of vomiting occurring during feeding, and this episode may or may not be accompanied by hiccups. Expulsion of vomitus can lead to the associated signs of acid reflux in babies such as loss of appetite due to the altered taste sensation for the infant and bad breath from the presence of gastric acid in the oral cavity of the infant.
Acid reflux in babies may also lead to a sensation of heat or burning boiling from the stomach and across the chest called pyrosis or heartburn. There is also recurring pain and discomfort over the abdomen which some describe as colicky when there is acid reflux in babies. Commonly, acid reflux induced pain in babies occurs during and after feeding causing the child to refuse eating or may eat only in small amounts. There is also back arching while feeding accompanied with crying especially when the child is placed on his or her back – which is both because of the pain associated with acid reflux in babies.
Aside from those mentioned, these repeated discomforts of acid reflux in babies can lead to sudden, constant or repeated episodes of crying, fussiness, restlessness and irritability of the baby especially during feeding. Other symptoms of acid reflux in babies include inability to be consoled easily and poor sleeping habits accompanied by frequent wakefulness due to sudden abdominal discomfort.
Acid reflux in babies is caused by the immature control of the lower esophageal sphincter, a ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach which closes to prevent expulsion of gastric contents. Hence, acid reflux in babies self-resolves around the infant’s 12th to 18th month of life. However, adjustments in the feeding technique have to be done to minimize the discomfort of acid reflux in babies. The strategy of small feedings divided frequently throughout the day reduces the amount of stomach contents that are regurgitated during acid reflux in babies. Furthermore, this feeding strategy moderates the release of gastric acids in the stomach thus acid reflux in babies would lead to lessened discomfort or pain.
Nevertheless, we should also be reminded of symptoms of acid reflux in babies that necessitates consultation with a doctor. One of which is when the child does not gain weight since the usual acid reflux in babies does not affect growth or well-being. Spitting up of coffee-ground or forceful shooting out of vomitus from the infant’s mouth indicate complications of acid reflux in babies such as bleeding or narrowing of digestive tracts. Difficulty in breathing, wheezing and with gagging or choking which may all result to compromised airway and breathing aside from the simple acid reflux in babies. Diarrhea and presence of fever are other manifestations to watch out for if there is acid reflux in babies. These symptoms are needed to be reassessed by the health care provider since they may be signs of more serious conditions other than simple acid reflux in babies.
What is Acid Reflux and What Causes it ?
A great percentage of the population has experienced and is bound to experience, at one time or another, acid reflux disease in varying levels of severity.
What is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is a condition in which stomach acids go back up in the unprotected esophagus, causing a number of symptoms that often result in discomfort. As the stomach acids and partially digested food travel back up into the esophagus, it causes inflammation and ulceration that eventually narrows the esophageal tube to make the simple act of swallowing painful. Over time, untreated acid reflux can develop into more serious gastrointestinal ailments like esophageal cancer as well as respiratory diseases like asthma.
What are the diagnosis for Acid Reflux?
People who are suffering from frequent heartburn, regurgitation of acid and undigested food, difficulties swallowing, dyspepsia, and other symptoms of acid reflux should consult a doctor to diagnose acid reflux and begin the necessary treatment. Unless the patient presents indications of more serious ailments, a medical interview and a medical history taking would often be enough to diagnose acid reflux. During the interview, the doctor would attempt to uncover the possible factors causing the stomach acids to back up into the esophageal tube so that he can prescribe the right treatment.
What are the Causes of Acid Reflux?
Understanding what factors trigger and aggravate acid reflux will considerably help both the patient and his doctor come up with a plan to prevent persistence and recurrence of the disease. Some of the pinpointed causes of acid reflux include:
- Biological and Structural Causes – Structurally speaking, acid reflux is usually attributed to the failure of the sphincter muscle to close properly to prevent food and stomach acids from refluxing back into the esophagus. Also called lower esophageal sphincter (LES), this muscle tissue band is observed to weaken in tone and to become impaired in function due to certain dietary substances and drugs, and other complicating factors in the nervous system. A hiatal hernia, or a condition wherein part of the stomach has herniated or has pushed through the diaphragm’s opening through which the esophagus passes, is one of the structural causes of acid reflux. Even with a normally functioning LES, motility abnormalities sometimes force the acids and partially digested food back into the esophagus when the stomach becomes too full and unable to empty its contents.
- Lifestyle Causes – Some of the most common acid reflux triggers are those involving a patient’s diet, exercise, and vices. Foods that cause or aggravate acid reflux include: foods that relax the LES such as coffee, chocolate, tea, and other caffeine rich foods; foods that are highly acidic like tomatoes and tomato-based products, and citrus fruits and juices; and foods that slow down the digestive process such as fried and fatty foods. Frequent large meals, lying down immediately after having a big meal, and wearing tight-fitting clothes exert unnecessary pressure on the LES resulting in acid reflux. Vices like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of sleep are also aggravating factors that are believed to compromise the integrity of the LES.
- Medical and Pharmacological Causes – Those suffering from other ailments like asthma, Crohn’s disease, peptic ulcer, diabetes, lymphomas, cancers, and other gastrointestinal disorders have also been found to have greater chances of experiencing acid reflux. These diseases and acid reflux are treated at the same time with a treatment regimen carefully studied and prescribed by a physician. Some drug interactions can have adverse results that could be avoided by following doctor’s orders rather than self-medicating. Most nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirins, ibuprofens, and naproxens, for example, are notorious for causing acid reflux. Other drugs believed to cause acid reflux include anticholinergics, dopamine, bophosphonates, sedatives, antibiotics, calcium channel blockers, beta adrenergic agonists, and supplements such as potassium and iron pills.
What are the Treatments and Preventions of Acid Reflux?
Although suffering from acid reflux might not be as serious and bothersome at first, the disease could progress to a point where it is persistent, bothersome, and even debilitating to an extreme. Seeking medical attention right away is always advisable to find the right treatment and to prevent serious complications of acid reflux from developing. It normally takes only a few weeks or months of medical treatment to cure an acid reflux disease. More treatment, however, is necessary when there is a recurrence of the disease which can happen when the causes and triggers of the disease are not adequately addressed. Continue reading
Acid Reflux Disease
Acid Reflux Disease
Acid reflux disease is more appropriately known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. It is a condition where the content (mostly liquid) of the stomach refluxes or goes back up into the esophagus. It can inflame the lining of the esophagus or even damage it. In this article, let’s learn more about this disease and what one can do about it.
Acid reflux disease is actually a chronic condition. Once you have it, you’ll have it all your life.
In reality, the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus happens in most people. In fact, there was even a study that said that reflux happens just as often in normal people as in individuals with acid reflux disease. Only, GERD patients typically suffer from refluxes with higher acid content and this acid also stays in their esophagus longer.
What causes GERD?
It’s pretty complex to get to the root cause of acid reflux disease. Experts believe that there are multiple factors although the most common contributors are abnormalities in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), abnormal esophageal contractions, hiatal hernias, and prolonged emptying of the stomach. Among all these though, the abnormal functioning of the LES is the most common factor.
The LES is the ring of muscle which surrounds the end of the esophagus where its joins the stomach. It contracts and closes off after swallowing to ensure that the food, which passed from the esophagus, will just stay in the stomach. When the LES contracts weakly or when it relaxes when it’s not supposed to, it can cause acid reflux.
What are the symptoms of acid reflux?
The most common symptoms of acid reflux disease may vary from one person to another. It may also differ depending on whether the symptoms occur due to other complications.
For those who are not suffering from other complications, the typical symptoms are the following:
- Heartburn—This is the burning pain the chest that can start in the abdomen and extend up to the neck. It’s often felt after meals or when lying down.
- Regurgitation—This is when the refluxed liquid appears in the mouth. It may be in small quantities or larger ones. Prolonged or frequent regurgitation may lead to acid-induced teeth erosions.
- Nausea—Another acid reflux disease symptom is nausea. Although not very common, some patients suffer from it alongside vomiting.
Meanwhile, acid reflux disease that comes with complications can have more severe symptoms. Some of the common complications that come with it are ulcers, strictures, cough, asthma, inflammation of the throat and larynx, infection of the lungs, Barrett’s esophagus, and fluid in the sinuses and middle ears.
How to treat acid reflux?
Whatever symptoms you have, it is important for acid reflux disease to be diagnosed as soon as possible, so it can be treated immediately. Depending on the findings of the doctor, you will be advised to make some lifestyle changes as well as take some medications to mitigate discomfort. Surgery may sometimes be recommended too, however, it’s not resorted to unless the benefits outweigh the risks.
Acid Reflux Remedies
Acid reflux remedies should be willfully and patiently implemented to avoid unwanted symptoms and to avoid more serious health problems and complications brought by Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — a more serious form of acid reflux. 
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is also called acid reflux. Having occasional acid reflux is normal but persistent acid reflux that happens more than twice in a week is considered GERD.
What are the Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Most heartburn sufferers experience similar heartburn symptoms, but the heartburn triggers is different from person to person.
The primary symptom of acid reflux is frequent heartburn, described as an uncomfortable burning sensation below the breastbone, mid-chest, or in the mid-abdomen. The pain is either sharp or a spasm. The pain can radiate to the neck or to the back of the throat. When it radiates to the back of the throat, a sour or salty fluid at the back of the mouth can be tasted. This is called regurgitation. On rare occasions, acid may come out from the throat forcefully as vomit.
Acid reflux symptoms commonly occur after meals, after bending over and when lying flat down either awake or asleep.
If acid reflux radiates to the throat, it may cause episodes of coughing or hoarseness.
Heartburn can also cause chronic cough, hoarseness, or sore throat.
Other symptoms experience by patients is a feeling that food is trapped at the back of the breastbone.
There are GERD symptoms that occur in the throat. This is called acid laryngitis which is a condition of having a dry cough, hoarseness, having a lump in the throat sensation, and the need to clear the throat frequently.
Patients may experience trouble swallowing. In severe cases, GERD sufferers may choke or food can be trapped in the esophagus causing intense chest pain. This is an indication of abnormalities around the esophagus.
If chronic heartburn is ignored, complications can occur. Chronic heartburn can cause esophagus to get irritated and inflamed which can lead to ulcers. Other complications include scarring and stricture. Avoid further health problems caused by GERD by just taking simple acid reflux remedies discussed below.
Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux
Despite acid reflux medical treatment, there are also natural remedies for acid reflux . Lifestyle and dietary changes are among the natural ways. Certain foods can be used as an acid reflux remedies. Fiber-rich food like banana and papaya is good for digestion as it keeps digestive tract moving. It promotes regular bowel movement which is helpful of ridding the body of unwanted acid and toxin more quickly.
Apples are good in soothing the burn cause by the stomach acid. Apple combined with honey is powerful in neutralizing acid in the stomach. It is much effective to eat the apple with the skin on or make a delectable apple pie desert. This is a pleasing acid reflux remedies as you can have a delightful and curative desert at the same time.
Among the alternative acid reflux remedies available in your kitchen is ginger.
Ginger can soothe a burning belly or an upset stomach. Peel the skin of the ginger and chopped it in chunks. It’s even effective to smash the ginger so by the time you boil it; the ginger’s enzymes will be squeezed out more easily. Let it cool and drink for a heartburn relief.
Green teas and herbal teas are a good natural remedies for acid reflux. Drink tea containing chamomile, catnip, sage, licorice root, ginger extract and cinnamon soothe the stomach lining and aid the digestion process.
There are natural fruit juices with stomach-cooling effect. Extract the juice of mango, papaya, guava, pear, cabbage or potatoes to get a healthy drink that can also soothe stomach and heartburn symptoms. These are among the healthy acid reflux remedies.
Research studies show that chewing a non-mint gum after meals neutralizes the acid in the esophagus. Chewing a gum promotes saliva production and swallowing rate. Therefore, the saliva washes the acid out of the esophagus and the saliva with bicarbonate helps in neutralizing the acid. This is among the easiest acid reflux remedies available to you.
Milk has an alkaline effect and a good acid neutralizer. Drinking milk to relieve heartburn has been proven effective and is among the favorite acid reflux remedies by patients.
Eating complex carbohydrates food relaxes the esophageal sphincter which is a ring of muscle that prevents stomach contents or acid to move up into the esophagus. Incorporate complex carbohydrates food in your diet as it doesn’t raise the stomach acidity. Whole grains like oats, oat bran, brown rice, cornmeal, whole grain bread, pasta and macaroni that are made from whole grains are good sources of complex carbs. Fruits that are packed with complex carbs are prunes, grapefruits, pears, plums, oranges and apricots. Vegetables with complex carbs include broccoli, spinach, eggplant, potatoes, corn, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, celery, lettuce and asparagus. These healthy foods are not only good acid reflux remedies but also contain vitamins and minerals helpful for the body.
Avoid stress as it can trigger an increased in acid production and may cause the esophageal sphincter to not function properly. Avoid smoking as nicotine from cigarette triggers heartburn because it irritates the esophageal sphincter and stomach lining. Drinking coffee and alcohol also trigger heartburn.
Preventing heartburn triggers are among the acid reflux remedies, because if heartburn triggers are avoided or minimized, increased acid production will not take place, and there is no acid to reflux up the esophagus.
Although there are over-the-counter medicines and medical treatments for acid reflux disease, the natural acid reflux remedies is a more healthy approach towards overcoming this condition. The acid reflux remedies discussed here do not have unwanted side effects. Natural acid reflux remedies is both curative and promote good health as other beneficial vitamins and enzymes are found in the natural remedies mentioned above.
Acid Reflux Medical Treatment When Natural Remedies Are Not Enough
Acid Reflux Medical
As much as there are a number of acid reflux medical treatment options available, most medical professionals still do not recommend medications as the first line of remedies. Changes in the patient’s lifestyle are still the primary consideration in treating acid reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). These modifications in one’s lifestyle include maintaining a recommended weight, reducing the portions of meals, and quitting (if not lowering the amounts of) alcohol and smoking. There are also kinds of food and beverages that doctors ask their GERD-afflicted patients to avoid, because they are believed to worsen the symptoms of GERD. But if the patient is already suffering from advanced and chronic stages of GERD, it is recommended that lifestyle changes be coupled with acid reflux medical treatment.
One of the most effective and widely used acid reflux medical treatment options are medications that limit the production of acid in the digestive track. These medicines are highly popular because patients can get them over-the-counter. An example of OTC acid reflux medical treatment is antacids, which neutralize the acid in the stomach. While the relief a patient experiences may be immediate, these OTC medications do not really offer further protection against the underlying symptoms of GERD.
On the other hand, there are also acid reflux remedies that may be obtained through prescriptions, and can be longer acting the OTC varieties. An example of these prescription-obtainable acid reflux medical treatment options are proton pump inhibitors. They take a longer time to work, as they are considered the strongest acid reflux medical treatment options. As the production of acid in the stomach is significantly reduced for as long as 24 hours, the damaged tissues in the esophagus are healed. A longer option for this type of treatment would be histamine 2 blockers.
Surgery as acid reflux medical treatment is only considered if the patient’s symptoms have not shown improvement even after a long period of taking medications, if regular medication is not possible to be taken, and if other complications that make the condition worse arise, like the narrowing of the esophagus, making swallowing extremely difficult.
Surgical options include laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication surgery, which aims to tighten the lower sphincter of the esophagus by coating the top of the stomach on the outer portion of the lower esophagus. This acid reflux medical treatment option is done so that stomach acid cannot flow back into the esophagus anymore, because the lower esophageal sphincter becomes tighter.
Acid Reflux Symptoms in Women
Acid reflux is a health condition that is common in women and men alike, and acid reflux symptoms in women and men are generally the same. 
What happens is that acid in the stomach go back up via the esophagus, prompting a burning sensation in the throat, which is one of the most common acid reflux symptoms in women and men.
Acid reflux is also referred to and more formally known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. It is considered minor in nature and is caused by the malfunctioning of a valve-like opening, a muscle band called lower esophageal sphincter or LES, which connects the stomach to the esophagus. The stomach houses acid-secreting cells to aid in digestion. A lining with protective coating protects the stomach from said cells, but the esophagus has no such protection. The acidic content goes back into the esophagus when acid reflux happens, causing irritation and pushing acid reflux symptoms in women and men to manifest.
It is not sure what causes acid reflux symptoms in women and men. However, stress and too much intake of acidic foods have been associated with the condition. One thing’s for sure: the symptoms can be nasty so it is important to find out what they are and be prepared.
Acid reflux is different from person to person. Some show no symptoms while others find it hard to get out of bed once an attack commences. Because the condition can damage the esophageal lining, it is necessary to treat it the moment you feel you have it.
Now acid reflux symptoms in women, while similar to what men experience, are caused by the same things in general. However, symptoms of acid reflux in women are more apparent during pregnancy. This is perhaps because of the fact that it is during this time when a number of changes happen in the body, paving the way for several bodily malfunctions.
Without further ado, here are the acid reflux symptoms in women:
- Regurgitation. This refers to the backing up of acidic food from the stomach to the mouth, resulting in what is known as a wet burp. A sour or bitter aftertaste can be expected.
- Heartburn. This is common among pregnant women and is more frequent with acid reflux. Heartburn brings pain in the chest, causing women to fear the onset of a heart attack.
- Nausea. In cases where acid reflux symptoms in women are severe, nausea may also be experienced.
- Sore throat. Naturally, since food goes back up the esophagus, a certain discomfort in the throat can be felt. Sometimes, this can lead to hoarseness in voice and difficulty swallowing.
- Vomiting. This is the nastiest of all acid reflux symptoms in women. There are times when the aftertaste gets too much to bear that vomiting becomes almost automatic. There are also times when the acidic food causes tension in the stomach, prompting vomiting.
It is imperative that the symptoms be addressed right away to avoid further pain. All of the acid reflux symptoms in women mentioned in this article can be treated with home remedies as well as medications and therapy.
Picture from : http://www.buzzle.com/articles/acid-reflux-symptoms-in-women.html – Acid Reflux Symptoms in Women
Infant Acid Reflux : Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosing
Infant acid reflux is also known as gastroesophageal reflux. It’s quite a common problem that makes parents distraught, as it brings serious discomfort to their young. In this article, let’s learn more about infant acid reflux and how it can be dealt with.
Basically, infant acid reflux is the occurrence of the stomach contents going back up the esophagus. It usually happens after feeding, but it can also occur when your baby cries, strains, or coughs. 
Don’t worry; most babies who experience infant acid reflux are healthy. It’s not a sign of an illness or bad health condition.
Usually, infant acid reflux resolves on its own. When the child reaches his or her 12th month, he or she is expected to have less of it. By his or her 18th month, it is expected to be totally gone.
As a parent, you can do something about acid reflux in babies by following some practical steps. While they may not completely stop the reflux, they can at least help keep it under control. Some of these useful steps are: feeding more frequently in smaller portions, changing the baby’s position when feeding, and interrupting the feeding to make the baby burp.
Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Infants
Symptoms of infant acid reflux may vary from one baby to another. However, there are common signs, which every parent should be knowledgeable about to ensure that they can take appropriate measures once they occur. Here are the symptoms to watch out for:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Irritability during feeding or after it
- Spitting up
- Refusing to eat
- Crying spells when placed on his or her back particularly after feeding
- In some severe cases, the baby can cry and arch his or her back as if he or she were having a seizure of some sort.
Causes of Infant Acid Reflux
Infant acid reflux happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (muscle ring between the esophagus and the stomach) doesn’t close when it’s already supposed to. You see, this ring opens and relaxes whenever your baby swallows. Otherwise, it’s supposed to remain tightly closed so the contents of the stomach would stay where they belong. In babies, this muscle typically remains open even after swallowing as it’s still taking some time to mature. Hence, acid reflux occurs.
What to do When Your Child Has Infant Acid Reflux
As infant acid reflux usually happens because the lower esophageal sphincter is still developing, you can expect the reflux to resolve on its own when the muscle matures. Acid reflux is not expected to interfere with your baby’s growth and well-being so there’s basically no need to panic. However, in the case that you observe other signs not typical with acid reflux, you must immediately seek medical attention. Some of the signs you should be cautious of are:
- No weight gain
- Spits up forcefully, to the extent of making the stomach contents shoot out of the mouth
- Spits up yellow or green fluid
- Spits up blood or other substances which look like crushed coffee beans
- Vehemently resists feedings
- Has bloody stools
- Has fever, diarrhea, or breathing difficulties
When some of these signs are present, they may indicate that the supposed harmless infant acid reflux can already be either gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or pyloric stenosis. GERD is a serious version of the reflux. It can be painful and cause vomiting and poor increase in weight. On the other hand, pyloric stenosis is a rare condition characterized by the narrow valve between the small intestine and the stomach.
Diagnosing Infant Acid Reflux
Diagnosing infant acid reflux is usually done by a physical exam. If your baby is growing as expected, and is as healthy as can be, there’s no other test that the doctor may recommend. Again, infant acid reflux is harmless and will resolve on its own.
However, if your pedia thinks that the condition is more serious than infant acid reflux, such as GERD or pyloric stenosis, further testing may be suggested such as lab tests, esophageal pH monitoring, upper endoscopy, and GI (gastrointestinal) series. Depending on the results, the doctor will explain the best treatments possible for your baby’s condition.