Acid Reflux Diet

Acid reflux is a cause of worry for many, but acid reflux in infants can be especially troublesome for parents. Because the infant is not able to say what is going on, parents are forced to watch, wonder and worry. Knowing more about acid reflux in babies can make it easier for parents to handle.

What is Acid Reflux? Acid reflux is a shorter, less frightening name for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and it is actually a fairly common condition. Normally, food passes through a person's esophagus into the stomach. A muscle, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, closes off to keep the stomach contents in the stomach. Sometimes, the muscle does not close correctly, which allows acid from the stomach to back up into the esophagus.

What are the Symptoms? There is a wide range of symptoms for acid reflux, but infants are not able to verbalize the symptoms they are experiencing. As a result, parents need to watch for visible symptoms to determine if their infant may have acid reflux. The most obvious signs of acid reflux in children are:

· Extreme pickiness about food or refusing certain foods

· Refusing to eat, even though hungry

· Gagging or choking

· Weight loss or poor weight gain

· Bad breath

· Frequent sore throat

Because acid is more likely to back up into the esophagus while lying down, parents should also watch for frequent waking. In addition, while frequent ear infections, sinus infections and respiratory infections may be due to asthma or allergies, they can also be symptoms of acid reflux.

How Is It Diagnosed? While parents can watch for the obvious acid reflux symptoms in infants, an actual diagnosis must be made by a physician. Symptoms may be enough for a diagnosis, but many physicians will also require certain tests, including:

· Blood and urine tests to rule out other causes of vomiting and weight loss

· Esophageal pH monitoring through a small tube placed in the esophagus for 24 hours

· Upper endoscopy, which involves using a small tube with a camera lens to view the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter

Typically, not all tests will be used, especially on an infant. Parents should also remember that these tests will not be painful. They will be uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as the acid reflux.

How Is It Treated Acid reflux treatment varies according to age, symptoms and severity. In general, prescription medicines are a last resort for infant acid reflux. Instead, a physician will usually recommend lifestyle changes that include looser fitting clothing around the abdomen, elevating the infant's head when lying down, smaller meals, foods with lower acid content, and staying upright for at least two hours after eating. In addition, over-the-counter medicines, like Children's Mylanta, may be recommended.

In most cases, infants will outgrow acid reflux, so it is not a permanent condition. While acid reflux in infants may be difficult for parents to handle, knowing more about the disorder, including what it is and how it is treated, can ensure that it is manageable.

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