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Saturday, 05 May 2007 |
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Both infants and babies can show symptoms and signs of acid reflux disease and syndrome. Gastreoesophageal reflux in infants is common when the infant or toddler does not release gas after meals appropriately. The stomach acid flow can back up into the esophagus causing many problems, and many even result in damage to the lower esophageal sphincter. Since babies cry and stress out the muscles in the stomach region on a regular basis, the result can be frequent hiccups and acid reflux shortly after feeding.
‘Spitting up’ is the common term for these infants, and can be a result of frequent agitation and stress of the stomach area and muscles. The symptoms will generally disappear after 12-18 months when the babies become more comfortable with eating and digesting food on a regular basis. The most common symptoms of acid reflux in babies includes frequent vomiting after meals, refusing specific types of food, constant crying, arching the back during feeding, and poor sleeping habits. Many of these infants may have difficulty in getting back to sleep, and may have episodes of ‘wet burps.’Other symptoms of acid reflux include excessive drooling, frequent ear infections, and weight loss. They may have difficulty swallowing, and this can lead to a variety of problems including pneumonia, wheezing, and bronchitis. Acid reflux in infants is not easy to diagnose but it will generally involve an endoscopy and pH monitoring. Lab tests can also indicate other problems that may be triggering the gag and vomiting reflex. Acid reflux in babies and toddlers can be treated with a variety of methods. Antaicds can help neutralize stomach acid, and small doses of Maalox, Mylanta, or Tums may be helpful in providing relief. Acid suppressers include Tagament and Zantac. These can help reduce and even eliminate the acid produced in the stomach, and acid blockers such as Prilosec and Prevacid can help with other symptoms and conditions. Although acid reflux disease is common in many infants, a variety of lifestyle changes can be implemented to help treat the symptoms during their early ages—as they get older, these may reduce in scope on their own. |
