| Many parents are unaware that acid reflux in infant | | | | for extended periods. In most cases, however, these |
| can occur and most will confuse the symptoms with | | | | symptoms will fade away on their own. |
| simple cases of spitting up food. | | | | Children between twelve and eighteen months will |
| While this is true, to a point, there can be more | | | | essentially "grow out" of the need to spit up food. If |
| serious complications with acid reflux and a doctor | | | | the signs persist, though, you and your doctor will |
| should be consulted. | | | | need to take certain steps to treat the illness - |
| The following are the common signs of acid reflux in | | | | assuming this is acid reflux and not part of another |
| an infant, allowing you to better understand what to | | | | problem. Tests will be given to confirm the diagnosis. |
| do if this should occur. | | | | These tests include: |
| It is important to remember that acid reflux is a | | | | PH Monitoring: the level of acidity will be measured by |
| common problem experienced by infants. It occurs | | | | placing a tube down the throat and leaving it there |
| when the muscles found at the end of the throat, | | | | for twenty four hours. This will show the amount of |
| the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, open too far. | | | | acid that remains during the day, proving if there is a |
| Typically, the LES muscles only allow gas to pass | | | | reflux problem. |
| through after eating; they let food slide down and | | | | Endoscopy: a camera, located on a tube, will be |
| then close, to keep it out of the throat and send it | | | | placed down the throat. This will give your doctor a |
| on its way to the stomach. | | | | clear picture of what is occurring there in order for |
| When acid reflux occurs, however, the muscles open | | | | him/her to determine if acid reflux is the issue. If |
| too wide and bring food back up, resulting in vomiting | | | | there are problems, such as inflammation, they can |
| and other symptoms. These can last until your child is | | | | be easily spotted. |
| eighteen months old. After this time, however, the | | | | If neither of these tests reveals acid reflux, then |
| symptoms should reduce dramatically, if not | | | | other methods will be tried: blood tests, urine |
| disappear completely. | | | | samples, etc. Test results may conclude that your |
| If they do not, you are advised to contact your | | | | child is not suffering from reflux at all and the |
| doctor; your child may have a stronger form of acid | | | | symptoms can be part of another illness. That is why |
| reflux and certain tests and treatments will need to | | | | it is imperative that you track these signs and |
| be given. | | | | understand when "frequent" has become "too much". |
| Many children experience the following symptoms: | | | | If it is acid reflux, there are certain things you can do |
| - Refusal to eat food | | | | to lower the problem: |
| - Coughing after eating | | | | - Hold your child upright after feeding to reduce the |
| - Hiccuping after eating | | | | surge of acid |
| - Vomiting after eating | | | | - Do not put tight clothing on your child |
| - Constant crying | | | | - Try to feed your child smaller portions but more |
| - Arching body when eating | | | | often |
| - Has a hard time swallowing food | | | | - Burp your child frequently during meals |
| - Drooling | | | | These simple steps will help reduce the symptoms |
| These are all common traits but, when done in | | | | and keep your child from having the more serious |
| frequent measures, can suggest acid reflux. You | | | | complications associated with acid reflux in infant. |
| should consult with your doctor if symptoms continue | | | | |