About Pediatric GERD
Posted by admin on February 8th, 2009 filed in Heart Burn Condition
Pediatric Acid Reflux
Pediatric GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease as it is sometimes referred to can be a big problem in children if it has not been properly diagnosed and treated. It has been estimated that out of all children, five to eight percent will have symptoms associated with pediatric GERD in their younger years.
As a general rule, the symptoms of GERD for children will normally include heartburn but this cannot be properly diagnosed in children for many cases because of their inability to describe it as well as adults can. One of the main ways to diagnose pediatric GERD is for a medical professional such as a doctor or physician to perform a series of tests which may include one or more of the following:
A pH probe entered into the body by the nose to the bottom of the oesophagus which will monitor when the acid is refluxing from the stomach and therefore see whether or not it is a problem for the child or patient that is being tested.
Technetium gastric emptying study which uses a solution of a very weak radioactive substance combined with milk that is then followed in progress by way of a special camera to detect how long food and drink is waiting around in the stomach before it has been digested and also if it ends up in places that it shouldn’t, for example, the lungs, and other areas by way of acid reflux.
Endoscopies are used by way of a small camera being inserted down the throat of the patient to check for pediatric GERD to see if there are any signs of irritation or inflammation which could have been caused by the pediatric GERD itself.
For the most part, medication for pediatric GERD is generally avoided to make sure that the child doesn’t have any adverse side effects and more in the way of lifestyle changes will be advised to ensure that the problem and it’s symptoms do not come back in the future.
These are basic steps which can be taken such as raising the top half of the child’s body to make sure that they are not laying completely flat while they are sleeping, making sure that they get enough exercise and also making a few minor adjustments to their dietary patterns.
Medication taken for pediatric GERD will need to be carefully monitored by the physician while they are on the course of treatment and this is to ensure that they are not suffering from any negative side effects and also to make sure that the treatment itself is working.
By: Alvin Hopkinson
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and acid reflux treatment. Discover how you can get rid of your heartburn for good using proven and effective acid reflux natural remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs. Visit his site now at www.refluxremoval.com
On the following pages, you can read more about: Acid Reflux Pillow – Best GERD Diet – Acid Reflux Natural Cure – Get An Acid Reflux Pillow, Best Heartburn Home Remedies – Acid Reflux Natural Treatment – Stopping Heartburn – Signs Of Acid Reflux Disease – Stress, Acid Reflux & Heartburn – About Pediatric GERD – Acid Reflux Natural Remedies – Acid Reflux Food – Chronic Acid Reflux – Gerd Remedies, Acid Reflux Remedies – Diet For Reflux, Gerd And Indigestion – Acid Reflux Wedge – Heartburn Home Remedy – Heartburn Causes, Cures, Diet – Remedies And Natural Cure For Heartburn – Acid Reflux During Pregnancy – Acid Reflux & Asthma – Natural Remedy For Heartburn – Home Remedy For Heartburn – Heartburn Information.
Acid Reflux in Babies
What All Parents Should Know About GERD in Babies
Most babies suffer from acid reflux at one time or another. As a parent you need to know when it is becoming a problem that needs medical attention.
Acid reflux in babies is more common then many people realize, with more than half of all infants experiencing its symptoms to varying degrees in the first three months of life. This may sound un-nerving for new parents, but the good news is that most infant’s acid reflux is a normal part of digestive tract development with relatively few experiencing the more severe symptoms that need to be dealt with medically.
Acid reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), occurs when stomach acid and contents flow back up the esophagus. This can be very uncomfortable and even painful for anyone, but is more so with babies as it causes an unpleasant burning sensation at the back of the throat as well as the upper chest area. The real problem with acid reflux in babies is simply identifying that they do indeed suffer from it.
Babies who suffer from occasional acid reflux often exhibit symptoms such as spitting up or vomiting, coughing, occasional fussiness or crying after eating and a reluctance to eat because of the discomfort associated with it. Of course these symptoms can be caused by any number of other things, but if they seem to consistently happen after feeding there is a good chance acid reflux is the culprit. Left untreated it can lead growth deficiencies due to the infant’s inability to keep food down and refusing to eat. It is important to talk with your baby’s pediatrician about any concerns you may have related to acid reflux.
The good news is that most infants out grow this condition and the vast majority of babies respond well to simple changes in feeding position and formula choices. Feeding in a more upright position is one recommendation your doctor may make, because this allows gravity to work, keeping the contents of the stomach moving downwards. It may be noticed that the baby’s symptoms get worse when he is laid down for a nap.
Another recommendation the doctor may make is feeding your baby more frequently with smaller amounts, instead of large feedings which exacerbate the condition. Thickening the formula may also help control the symptoms.
If dietary and positioning modifications do not help control the acid reflux in your baby then acid controlling medications may need to be used. If this is the case be sure to closely follow your doctor’s orders. Treating a baby with over the counter medications is not a good idea unless supervised by the baby’s pediatrician.
It is important to have any infant who suffers from acid reflux treated for this condition because it can cause damage to the esophagus and larynx as well as respiratory problems. In most cases it seldom gets to this extreme, but acid reflux in babies is something that all new parents need to be aware of and cognizant for.
To learn more about the symptoms of acid reflux in babies please visit
http://acid-reflux-disease.health-choices-net.com/Acid-Reflux-in-Babies.html
By Andrew Bicknell
Published: 11/2/2007
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