Medicine Information

Infants and Acid Reflux


Infant acid reflux is quite common. People of all ages, especially infants because they consume only liquids or soft foods, suffer from mild heartburn or acidic regurgitation on occasion. As in adult cases, infants experience acid reflux when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is relaxed. The LES acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach. It opens up to allow food into the stomach and then closes in order to protect the esophagus and other organs from acidic reflux. Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine if an infant has developed a chronic form of heartburn called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

In order to determine if an infant has a chronic form of heartburn (GERD) you should consult your pediatrician. Look for clues such as sleeping problems, coughing, weight loss, lack of appetite, spitting up frequently, and apnea. Acid reflux disease can cause respiratory problems including pneumonia, strictures and ulcerations on the esophageal wall, and malnourishment. Infant acid reflux symptoms usually include recurrent coughing, bad breath, spitting up frequently, unusual irritability and crying, chest pain, and sore throat.

There are several causes of acid reflux in infants. Many of the causes are exacerbated by the fact that infants, much more so than adults, consume mostly liquids and spend a great deal of time on their backs or in a supine position. Combined with the backwash potential of liquids, lying down puts pressure on the LES (esophagus valve) and increases the chances for reflux. Other causes could be attributed to the anatomy of a child's stomach position, poor eating habits, smoking (second hand), being overweight, and food allergies.

In addition to GERD, infants can be diagnosed with a functional version of acid reflux. This condition can be improved with simple modifications such as changing eating habits, keeping the child upright after eating, and encouragement. GERD, or the chronic disease, requires medical treatment by a physician, prescription drug therapy, as well as lifestyle changes.

Acid Reflux Info provides comprehensive information on the cause, symptoms, treatment, and diet associated with normal and infant acid reflux. Acid Reflux Info is the sister site of Pain Relief Web.


MORE RESOURCES:

Analysis: Deficit spending is tough medicine
The Associated Press - 8 hours ago
WASHINGTON — It's a painful dilemma. The expected growth of the federal government budget deficit to $1.2 trillion this year could swamp future generations ...


New York Daily News

Scientologist Views On Medicine Questioned
CBS News, NY - 14 hours ago
"So I started having grand mal seizures," recalls Tory Christman, "and I wasn't even off the medicine. I was only off part of the medicine, and I started ...
Travolta's late son 'not victim of cult' Oneindia
Kawasaki’s disease, cleaning fluid, and cults Blogger News Network
Presley blasts critics for using Travolta tragedy to attack ... Thaindian.com
Popeater - p2pnet.net
all 617 news articles


Ten essential items for your medicine cabinet
Chicago Tribune, United States - 14 hours ago
For information about what to keep in a home first aid kit, go here. Coming tomorrow: 10 things to keep out of your medicine cabinet.


Cost containment focus could have consequences for health care ...
EurekAlert (press release), DC - 8 hours ago
"We believe that in the current environment, the balance has tipped toward market exchanges at the expense of medicine's communal or social dimensions. ...
Money and the Changing Culture of Medicine New England Journal of Medicine (subscription)
all 5 news articles


CBC.ca

Obama Wants CNN's Medicine Man to Be the US's Surgeon General!
PerezHilton.com, CA - 16 hours ago
CNN's medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, was supposedly offered the US surgeon general position by President-elect Barack Obama. ...
Video: CNN Correspondent Approached for Surgeon General AssociatedPress
Hotline After Dark -- Your Love Is Like Good Medicine National Journal
CNN's Medicine Man Tapped for Surgeon General? E! Online
Washington Post - Wall Street Journal Blogs
all 1,355 news articles


Khaleej Times

Early Elective C-Sections Produce Complications
U.S. News & World Report, DC - 8 hours ago
8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Once a woman has had a Caesarean delivery, she and her doctor may decide to perform an "elective" C-section ...
Study: Setting early C-sections puts babies at risk Houston Chronicle
Early C-section for full-term babies poses risk Reuters
Early C-Sections Can Double Health Risks for Newborns Wall Street Journal Blogs
Newswise (press release) - al.com
all 209 news articles


SmartAboutHealth

A taste of Obama's own medicine
NephrOnline, AZ - 14 hours ago
By Thomas Keating Even before "The Transition" turns into the new regime, president-elect Barack Obama has already been fighting back against those who ...
Stay Healthy: Government Healthcare May Be Coming The New American
Replace for-profit insurance with Medicare for all Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Obama's health care pledge may hurt Canada National Post
Capitalism Magazine - San Mateo County Times
all 111 news articles


ABC News

Jett Had History of Seizures, Medicine Ineffective
FOXNews - Jan 5, 2009
Jett Travolta, seen in this undated photo, died Friday in the Bahamas at the age of 16. Jett Travolta, seen in this undated photo, died Friday in the ...
Video: Travolta's Son Likely to Be Buried in Fla. AssociatedPress
Time to Audit Scientology's Anti-Medicine Stance Gawker
Jett Travolta’s Death, Medically Unclear eFluxMedia
The Associated Press - Oneindia
all 6,587 news articles


Research database from the US Library of Medicine
The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com, OH - 13 hours ago
Search PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, the CDC and a dozen other medical sites - all at once. AP MEDICAL VIDEO by Brie Zeltner/Plain Dealer Reporter Ohio had ...


Commentary: Equine Medicine Has Come a Long Way
TheHorse.com, KY - 9 hours ago
... be paid for in this challenging economy, keeping a horse healthy is light-years beyond where equine medicine and surgery were a quarter-century ago. ...

Medicine - Google News

home | site map
© 2006