Coping With Acid Reflux in Children
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios

Introduction

For a child or teenager who is having difficulty swallowing, eating, or is failing to grow, the doctor may suggest a trial of medication to reduce the amount of acid in the child or teenager’s stomach. The reason for this is that the doctor suspects acid reflux. Acid reflux in children is not at all uncommon and is very treatable.

Treatments

Treatment by using H2 blockers is one of the over-the-counter treatments that can be used to treat acid reflux in children. Proton pump inhibitors such as Prevacid can also be used in the treatment of acid reflux. If by some chance the child continues to have these symptoms despite the treatment he/she is receiving, other treatment methods may incur. It is very rare, but surgery may be the best option for children who have severe symptoms that do not respond to any other type of treatment.

Some suggestions to help reduce the effects of acid reflux in children is to have the child to eat smaller meals, avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bed, elevate the head at least 30 degrees, avoid carbonated drinks (the Cokes and the Pepsis can go down the drain), chocolates, caffeine, and foods that are rich in fat-content. Carbonated drinks can increase the acid in the stomach, as can citrus fruits. Spicy foods can also have the same effect. Ideally, a change in diet can help reduce acid reflux in children significantly.

Although acid reflux in children can begin when they’re infants, most children grow out of it. There are those cases where children do need treatment in order to conquer the irritation to avoid more severe problems in the future. Acid reflux in children can cause vomiting, coughing, hoarseness, or painful swallowing.

An upper GI series x-ray, which consists of Barium being swallowed, will show the shape of the esophagus and stomach. This test can show a variety of esophagal and stomach problems. There are also more invasive methods in which an Endoscopy or Esophageal pH probe may be used. Both of these methods involve a probe of some type being inserted into the esophagus and both are successful at learning about acid reflux in children.

What’s up Doc?

So when should you consult your pediatrician about acid reflux in children? If there is increased amounts of vomiting or projectile vomiting, vomiting of fluid that is green or yellow or looks like coffee grounds or blood, difficulty breathing after vomiting, pain related to eating, or difficulty or pain swallowing.

If any of these symptoms present themselves, take your child to the doctor before the symptoms worsen. There are different medications available for the prevention or relief of these symptoms. Persistence without treatment can later result in possible surgery, but treatment is very easy when accompanied with a change in diet. Relief is definitely in sight for acid reflux in children.