How to Recognize the Symptoms of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) is a physiological condition that causes the content of the stomach to reflux into the esophagus and throat. Although there are many factors that contribute to the development of acid reflux, the main cause is inappropriate activity of the lower esophageal sphincter (muscular valve that seals the lower ending of the esophagus), allowing the stomach acids to reach the upper levels of the body. Additional causes of acid reflux are inappropriate diet, unhealthy lifestyle or other physical dysfunctions and conditions.

Acid reflux can become serious if it is not appropriately treated. The symptoms of acid reflux should be spotted quickly, in order to prevent the development of complications (esophageal inflammation and lesions, damage of the throat, gastro-intestinal disorders, breathing problems).

The symptoms of acid reflux are easy to identify and it is best to see a physician as soon as they occur. The condition has a chronic character and usually requires ongoing treatment. For some patients, surgery is best alternative in overcoming acid reflux.

Acid reflux in infants and young children is very common.
Although for most babies the symptoms of acid reflux disappear with time, in some cases the condition can persist for years, causing serious harm to the gastro-intestinal system and the esophagus. The most common symptoms of acid reflux in infants are: spitting, vomiting, coughing, irritability, discomfort when feeding and the presence of blood in feces. Other symptoms of acid reflux in babies occur if the condition is severe: pronounced difficulty swallowing, intense pain when feeding, spitting or coughing blood, vomiting blood, presence of blood in stools, problems with breathing.
Common symptoms of acid reflux in adults are: abdominal pain and discomfort (especially after meals), bad breath, bitter taste in the mouth, excessive secretion of saliva, and sleeping problems. People with acid reflux can also develop apnea, a sleeping disorder manifested through respiratory insufficiency.

The extended symptoms of acid reflux in adults are: difficulty swallowing, chest burn and aching, poor appetite, nausea, presence of blood in vomit and stools, throat inflammation and pain, breathing difficulties. If the symptoms of acid reflux become very intense it is a clear sign of aggravation.
Acid reflux can cause serious damage at the level of the esophagus, due to its constant exposure to stomach gastric acid. Acid reflux can cause inflammation, swelling and even scarring of the esophageal soft tissue. It is very important to pay attention to the symptoms of acid reflux, and act quickly in overcoming the condition. If acid reflux occurs frequently, it can cause serious complications.


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Infant acid reflux: causes, symptoms and treatments

What happens if your baby, which seems very healthy otherwise occurs after meals several times a day? This is something that as a father should be concerned about? Could it be a signal that suffer from infant acid reflux?

Wet belching, regurgitation and vomiting are some of the terms used to describe the problem of your child. More recently, doctors have begun to call GERD (Gastroesophageal infant acid reflux disease). Infant acid reflux is very common and affects 40% of the babies. It also occurs in children and involves breastfed and formula fed babies.

Almost always resolved by one year of age.  Many parents take child calmly acid reflux, while others worry because the spit dirty your clothes, furniture and carpets. They feel uncomfortable to take the baby in public, or to visit friends. Some parents concerns a disease or other physical problem must be causing the spit.

A visit to the doctor, nurse or dietitian usually starts by having a history of food to see how feeds the baby, if you are overfeeding and how burping the baby.

Often be spitting child has a lot to do with supercharger. Baby vomit when they have too much milk for the size of your stomach. This can occur both in a breastfeeding and the fed baby's bottle.  Sometimes the baby is the problem. At other times, it is the parents.

How to grow your baby?
It is a healthy habit to weigh your baby at every doctor visit and record the weight in a graph. There is little chance of a disease if your baby is growing normally.

How can he is breathing the baby?
Research may be needed if the baby is always a wheezing or coughing. This sometimes indicates a chest to infant acid reflux reaction. Meanwhile, do not let anyone smoke in the House. Second hand smoke encourages infant acid reflux and bad for the baby in many other ways.

Natural is that parents who worry about the baby. Vomiting, may sometimes indicate a more serious problem. Your doctor should consider your baby and see if there are signs of disease. However, it is not normally needed more medical tests. Most authorities recommend the doctor starts for the first time with simple tips.
Power: If the child seems to hunger, try smaller and more frequent meals
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Positioning: Placement of the child in a seat after meals will cause more vomiting if the child slumps forward and puts pressure on the stomach. Try placing the child in his side after meals. Placement of the child in the womb usually decreases vomiting. However, it is important to use a firm surface. Placement of the child in her womb in soft blankets and duvets are believed that you one of the factors in the crib death.

Thicken food: Add grains of rice to the formula. Start with one tablespoon of two ounces. This has been shown to decrease infant acid reflux, but you will need to enlarge the hole of nipple. Recently, the pre-thickened of infant formula has become available. This formula can be easier to prepare and it has been shown that the decrease of vomiting. A breastfed baby can be fed grain after food.

Many concerned parents are quick to envelope the antacid counter like Maalox or Mylanta to help reduce acid reflux in his son. While it is OK to use for a limited period of time as they do not fall into the bloodstream, they contain aluminum, and probably should not be used for an extended period of time.
Cimetidine and ranitidine used to block the acid in the stomach for babies who have inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis).

The most important thing to remember is that a child suffering from infant acid reflux is usually a healthy baby. He vomits probably for the same reason can not walk or talk. Coordination is required to keep the food in the stomach. The baby not being fully coordinate up to one year of age. Consult your physician if vomiting continues beyond this time.

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.