| Gastroesophageal reflux (or "acid reflux" or | | | | that may cause some burping but quickly |
| "heartburn") occurs when stomach and food | | | | extinguishes the stomach sickness and chest |
| acid reverses from the stomach back into the | | | | pains. Proton Pump Inhibitors like Prilosec |
| esophagus. Typically the Lower Esophageal | | | | or Nexium are said to work best by |
| Sphincter (LES) acts as a valve and keeps | | | | suppressing excessive acid production during |
| food on its way down after you swallow. | | | | those big holiday meals. Histamine 2-Receptor |
| Reflux in infants is comprehensive because a | | | | Antagonists like Pepcid AC or Zantac reduce |
| baby's LES is still weak, as the necessary | | | | the amount of acid in the stomach to help |
| muscles haven't strengthened yet. Symptoms of | | | | people with severe heartburn symptoms. |
| acid reflux for adults include a burning | | | | |
| sensation in the chest and throat or a | | | | In the next link you may find a great product |
| bitter, puke-like flavor in the mouth. Some | | | | to stop your acid reflux right now: Stop your |
| people with repeated symptoms of acid reflux | | | | acid reflux |
| may cause an over-abundance of stomach acid | | | | |
| that spills over out of the stomach. | | | | One last thing about infant reflux. While |
| | | | more than half of all babies experience |
| There are two types of heartburn - upright | | | | infant reflux in their first few months of |
| reflux, where patients are awake with | | | | life, the condition usually resolves itself |
| noticeable discomfort, and supine reflux, | | | | within 12 to 18 months. Often times reflux |
| which is more frequent in women and occurs | | | | symptoms are similar to colic or the average |
| when patients are asleep. Nighttime GERD | | | | infant fussiness. Here are some basic |
| affects near 10% of Americans, according to a | | | | guidelines to answer the questions, as to how |
| study done by Dynogen Pharmaceuticals. In a | | | | to tell if reflux is the culprit and what you |
| separate study (conducted at the Southern | | | | can do. |
| Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson), | | | | |
| nearly three-fourths of the patients with | | | | Babies spit up… a lot. This happens |
| chronic gerd symptoms also suffered sleeping | | | | because the lower esophageal sphincter (the |
| symptoms such as coughing, snoring, and chest | | | | valve that closes the throat) isn't fully |
| pain. | | | | developed yet and the soft tissue allows for |
| | | | liquid to come back up just as easy as it |
| "Nighttime GERD affects a large number of | | | | went down. Generally, as the child ages this |
| patients, and the impact on sleep and quality | | | | will be less of a problem, although it's |
| of life should not be underestimated," | | | | possible that he or she may have infant |
| commented study leader Dr. Fass, who hopes to | | | | reflux. |
| find more effective cures for supine reflux. | | | | |
| Studies show that esophagus damage can occur | | | | Aside from being kind of gross, infant reflux |
| with too much exposure to acid. | | | | can be a sign of GERD (a severe version of |
| | | | reflux resulting in awful pain, vomiting and |
| So how can you tell GERD / acid reflux | | | | poor weight gain) or Pyloric Stenosis (a rare |
| symptoms from other similar ailments? More | | | | condition where a narrowed valve prevents |
| than half of the people who suffer chronic | | | | stomach contents from emptying properly into |
| acid reflux also have dyspepsia, a condition | | | | the intestines). You should seek medical |
| where they feel nauseous, disgustingly full | | | | advice if your baby resists feeding but seems |
| and suffer abdomen pain after eating. | | | | hungry, isn't gaining weight, has fewer wet |
| Dyspepsia is not necessarily a telltale sign | | | | diapers than normal and seems lethargic, |
| of GERD. | | | | spits up forcefully, spits up green or brown |
| | | | fluid, or spits up more than a few |
| If you can't fathom giving up any of your | | | | tablespoons at a time. If your baby sounds |
| favorite foods, your doctor may recommend | | | | hoarse all the time, has diarrhea or |
| heartburn medication to help you combat the | | | | difficulty breathing, then definitely ask |
| immediate symptoms of acid reflux. Most of | | | | your doctor about infant reflux. |
| these products can be purchased | | | | |
| over-the-counter, but some variants are | | | | Now that you know the triggers and treatments |
| doctor-prescribed. For mild symptoms, calcium | | | | for acid reflux, you won't have to dread that |
| carbonate antacids like Tums, Rolaids or | | | | extra drumstick this holiday season. Just |
| Maalox binds to and neutralizes acid for | | | | remember not to lay down or lift things right |
| quick relief. The effervescent Alkaseltzer is | | | | after eating. Keep antacids on hand for |
| a widely acclaimed favorite in drinkable form | | | | emergencies and avoid that extra spicy treat. |