| Acid reflux is often a common thing in children and | | | | baby in an upright position especially after feeding |
| infants. The spitting up and throwing up of food | | | | them. This allows the stomach to digest the food |
| particles is a common thing that every mother must | | | | easily. Ideally, the infant should be held in an upright |
| be accustomed to. Acid reflux is a condition wherein | | | | position for about 30 minutes. It is often observed |
| the lower esophageal sphincter fails to function | | | | that infants and children tend to sleep on their |
| properly. Under the normal circumstances , the lower | | | | stomach. This puts strain on the stomach and |
| esophageal sphincter , which acts like a valve | | | | increases the chances of acid reflux. Hence infants |
| between the esophagus and the stomach , closes | | | | and children suffering from acid reflux should be laid |
| tightly after allowing the food into the stomach. Thus | | | | on their backs while sleeping. |
| , under no circumstances can the food re-enter the | | | | Burping plays an important role in the control of acid |
| esophagus. Acid reflux is caused when the lower | | | | reflux. Hence doctors recommend burping the baby |
| esophageal sphincter is not able to prevent the | | | | after feeding it. Burping should be done 2-3 times |
| backflow of the acidic stomach content into the | | | | while feeding the infant. Elevating the head of the |
| esophagus. The acidic content causes irritation in the | | | | crib is another way to cure acid reflux in infants. |
| esophagus and this is termed as acid reflux. | | | | Elevating the head prevents the acid from reaching |
| One of the main reasons for acid reflux in infants and | | | | the esophagus. |
| children is that the digestion system is not developed | | | | Medication is another option to cure acid reflux in |
| and hence it leads to occurrence of acid reflux. Hence | | | | infants and children . One can try using H2-blockers |
| it is recommended not to overfeed infants. Normally, | | | | like cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), |
| doctor's advice should be sought before deciding | | | | famotidine (Pepcid), and nizatidine (Axid). These drugs |
| upon the feeding quantity. For infants and children | | | | prevent the backflow of acid into the esophagus. |
| suffering from acid reflux, it is recommended that | | | | One can also try using the proton-pump inhibitors, |
| the feeding quantity should be reduced corresponding | | | | such as esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole |
| with an increase in the frequency of the feeding. One | | | | (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole |
| can also try to change the schedule of feeding the | | | | (Aciphex), and pantoprazole (Protonix). They |
| infant. Again the doctor should be consulted before | | | | decrease the level of acids produced in the stomach. |
| changing the schedule. Both these suggestions can be | | | | Hence acid reflux in infants and children can be cured |
| useful to control acidity. | | | | by making elementary changes in their dietary |
| Pressure on the abdomen also increases the incidence | | | | patterns and sleeping positions. |
| of acid reflux. Hence parents are advised to hold the | | | | |