A Closer Look at Children with Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux is a condition normally associated with adults. Sadly, many children also suffer the effects of acid reflux.

This desease, also referred to as gastro-esophageal reflux, occurs when stomach contents churn and rise up into the esophagus, the tube connecting the stomach with the mouth.

A muscle between the esophagus and the stomach, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, is responsible for keeping the stomach closed off until food is swallowed. The lower esophageal sphincter then opens up and allows the food into the stomach before closing again. Although Acid reflux can begin during infancy, it can carry over into early childhood.

Though quite common in children, most people are not aware of it’s occurrence. In most cases, the process of gastro-esophageal reflux occurs quickly, the acid comes up into the esophagus and then rapidly goes back down into the stomach. In this case, the esophagus suffers no damage. However, if the stomach acid stays in the esophagus, it damages the esophagus lining. In some cases, the stomach contents rise up all the way into the mouth, only to be swallowed again. This process causes a number of symptoms such as a chronic cough, or a hoarse voice. More serious symptoms can include difficulty in swallowing, wheezing, and chronic pneumonia.

Anyone who suspects that their child is afflicted with acid reflux, should have the child seen by his or her pediatrician. After examining the child and evaluating the symptoms, the doctor may run tests to diagnose whether acid reflux is present. Often, the doctor will begin treatment before testing for acid reflux. In one of the tests, called an upper GI-series X-ray, the child’s X-ray is taken after being given a glass of barium to drink. This particular test is successfully used to locate hiatal hernias, blockages, and other gastrointestinal problems.

Another test, thought to be more effective than the X-ray, is the endoscopy. Typically, the child is sedated and put to sleep during the test. An endoscope, which is a thin, flexible plastic tube with a camera attached to the end, is then placed inside the throat. With the help of endoscope, the doctor is directly able to examine the esophagus lining, stomach, and a portion of the small intestine. The endoscopy also allows the doctor to perform a biopsy rather painlessly.

Yet another test, the esophageal pH probe, may also be used. This test consists of using an extremely light, and ultra-thin wire with an acid sensor tip and inserting it through the patient’s nose and into the lower esophagus. This method is used to detect and record the presense of stomach acid in the esophagus.

Are Your Children Having Acid Reflux?

Research have shown that Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), generally called Acid Reflux, is common among children of varying age groups, especially in infants, but is often overlooked.

About fifty percent of babies, within the first six months of their lives, will experience acid reflux in one way or another. This is extremely painful for the newborn, but may not necessarily be treated as a threat to health in a long term sense unless there are other symptoms that accompany acid reflux. Acid reflux, to infants, is more likely to be the discomfort that causes the pain more than the reflux itself.



Nature Of Acid Reflux
GERD occurs when food and gastric acid come back up from the stomach to the esophagus. This happens during or after a meal and is quite painful because of the acid present in the stomach contents and the amount of actual stomach acid that will be present in the throat. The discomfort for this condition is unbelievably painful in infants. For this reason, it is important to know the symptoms of acid reflux in babies so that it can be treated and the child can be comforted when a reflux actually occurs.

The young's immature digestive systems are easy victims to acid reflux but as they grow up (up to one or two years of age), most children naturally come out of the problem.

Symptoms Of Acid Reflux In Children
There are many symptoms present in cases of acid reflux in children. More commonly seen symptoms include: pain, sudden crying, irritability, colic; repeated vomiting or just spitting-up; losing appetite; unable to sleep well; emission of wet burp or wet hiccup sounds; bad breath. It is essential to bear in mind that these symptoms may not necessarily mean that the infant is suffering from Acid Reflux, but are signs that means the overall digestive system of the child deserves some attention and adequate information. Remember to not get carried away with it, but at the same time nothing should be left unchecked.

Less common symptoms include: difficult to swallow food, gagging, and/or choking; throat infection and the need for constant eating and drinking to soothe it; deprived weight gain, loss of weight; husky voice; respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, noisy breathing, pneumonia etc.; ear infections, excessive salvation, sinus infections drooling, and peculiar neck arching.

Treatment Of Acid Reflux In Children
Various treatments are available to deal with GER in children. Most kids recover from it after turning one year old. Till then, correct positioning and feeding methods will provide relief to them. They are to be positioned upright to prevent food and acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus with help from gravity. Burping frequently and staying away from spicy, fatty and acidic foods will also help. Medications like antacids, motility medicines, acid suppressors, and acid blockers can also treat acid reflux. But in very serious cases of reflux, surgery is performed.

There are, definitely, cases of acid reflux in infants that are significantly more grave and important than others. Monitoring should be done, all cases should, and a doctor should be alerted if the symptoms turn too serious or if the acid reflux occurs more frequent or consistent. If bleeding or loss of important function occurs due to acid reflux, a pediatrician and a specialist should be consulted at once. This is because the acid reflux has reached a dangerous level and should be examined for other possible problem.

A paediatrician, with proper test done, can identify and resolve acid reflux in children. They will be aware of the problem and how your child is affected; enabling them to take proper samples and diagnose it before getting out of hand. From here, an informed decision can be decided in terms of possible cure options and getting the acid reflux curbed to the best of the abilities. Hopefully, both you and your child can get a good night's rest with this information.

Reflux Condition And Complications In Acid Reflux In Children
In lots of young babies, regurgitation of some milk, particularly when burping after meals, is a common sight. But beware of complications, usually in the form of heartburn and esophagitis. Acid flowing from the stomach to the esophaugs produces a burning sensation called Heartburn. While reddening and swelling of the esophagus due to acid backflow is known as Esophagitis. It causes extreme pain and can kill appetite. In severe cases, it can cause the inflamed part of the esophagus to bleed. Poor growth, difficulty in swallowing and breathing problems are some other complications

The Most Important Reality
Taking care of the child's emotional needs is one of the most often-suggested remedy and solutions for acid reflux in children. The primary task is to soothe your child and handle their emotional needs, as this is most damaged by the symptoms of acid reflux. It is a frustrating time, for both parent and child, to deal with the pain and to find a cure for the illness and the symptoms.

Acid reflux in children

Acid reflux in children is a nasty, painful and life-threatening condition. Now known that the acid reflux is a hereditary disease. Gastroesophageal reflux is the reflux of acid from the stomach in the throat. In adults, heartburn is called and often hurts enough to simulate a heart attack.  In children, the problem is dismissed frequently as "spitting up" or colic. But in severe cases can cause lung damage, asthma, chronic ear infections of the sinuses, dental problems, vocal cord and even cancer of the esophagus.
When the child suffers from frequent vomiting, often not gain enough weight. And some doctors believe that many cases of sudden infant death syndrome are caused by asphyxia in content gastric reflux.
Your child might suffer from GERD when you feel a burning sensation in his chest, starting behind the breastbone and move his neck and throat. It is caused when a muscle that connects the stomach to the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, or them, it is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing that the acid in the stomach to move into the esophagus.
Children who have frequent episodes of acid reflux can develop erosion of the esophagus, a condition called GERD or gastroesophageal reflux. The severity of the disease depends on the type and amount of fluid from the stomach and the neutralizing effect of saliva-bred.
How many children suffer from acid reflux?
While the experience of more than 60 million U.S. adults heartburn at least once a month, and about 25 million suffer daily attacks of the most severe form, GERD and 25 per cent of pregnant women also complain of daily heartburn, and more than 50 per cent has occasional heartburn, the exact number of children suffering is not known.  However, studies have shown that GERD is most common in infants and children than previously recognized.
Symptoms of acid reflux in children
Acid is the most common symptom. The burning sensation, pressure or pain of heartburn can last for two hours and is often worse after eating.  Lying down or bending over can result in acidity. Walking may reduce symptoms. Certain foods such as chocolate, mint and fried or fatty foods have been associated with repeated heartburn or acid reflux in children.
Treatment options for acid reflux in children
Most parents try to give to their common children antacid resources available over the counter, which can provide temporary relief. Changes in your child's diet and eating habits can improve the situation. It's reducing the size of the portions and not eat before bedtime. Elevate the head of the bed of his son of 6 inches can reduce episodes of acidity in the night.
Medications known as H2 blockers, which inhibit the secretion of acid in the stomach, are available at the desk, including brands such as Tagamet, Zantac and Pepcid AC.
A class of drugs called Proton pump or pumps for acid , works by inhibiting an enzyme in the stomach acid - producing cells.
Some severe cases of acid reflux in children may require surgery called fundoplication using laparoscopic techniques. The surgery is to adjust the stomach into the esophagus and the sewn himself to strengthen the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach.
The positive effects of the surgery may be temporary, however. Many patients eventually return to medications used for recurrent symptoms of acid reflux.