‘Growing up is such a barbarous business full of inconvenience and pimples.’  (J.M Barrie)

Future of nations is protected by the elders those were young once. Healthy children are the basic ingredients of a progressive society. These little souls require pampering at an early age. A nascent child is a nascent thought that must be accomplished because broken thoughts hurt the mind and soul of thinker.

A newly born baby is a gift of nature to blessed parents. Their smiles alleviate stress and tears make shed tears. In short, a cute smile of a child is a blessing of nature. These cute beings need extra care. Children are more prone to diseases because the world is not as safe as the mother’s womb. Children are like wet mud clogs and parents are potters who shape these mud clogs into a beautiful pot.

Early care of nascent prevents him from future complexities. Caring parents gain more love from a grown-up child. Everything a mother eats becomes part of the child’s body and everything a father does become part of his thinking.

Babies are more exposed to the environment when possessing incomplete digestive systems. Poor dietary habits of mother and poor childcare may make a child suffer Acid Reflux and in severe cases gastroesophageal reflux (GER).

This is not infanticide though yet a few complex scenarios may lead the baby to chronic disorders. What is Acid reflux and GER? Let us have a look at what is acid reflux? What are potential causes of acid reflux? What are chronicle disorders inclined to GER? And what preventive measures can be opted to get rid of this menace?

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux in a child is an early age disorder that lasts from 6 to 12 months of age. And in case of GER, it may last to 18 months. According to UNICEF, 2%-7% of children at the age of 3-9 years complain about heartburn, upper abdominal and chest pains. 5%-8% of teenagers suffer the same symptoms.

Acid reflux in early months is known as ‘happy spitter’ in which a child spits back the food he intakes. The problem is due to poor development of the digestive system.  An opening of esophagus named as a lower esophageal sphincter that closes when food becomes the part of the stomach. Children with acid reflux problem have weaker esophageal sphincter and it does not close properly and the food reflux back into the esophagus.  The second leading cause of acid reflux disease is poor production of stomach acid and lack of required quantity of stomach acid will reflux stomach content into the esophagus and in severe cases to larynx and pharynx.

Acid reflux at the age of 18 months is a normal condition in children and known as GER, while in elder children and teenager’s prolonged acid reflux is given the name of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). This is a serious ailment and may make one suffer chronic diseases.

If your child is having acid reflux after 6 months from his birth then consult a child specialist immediately for proper treatment and advice; to avoid further complications in the future. Let us have a quick look at acid reflux causes and cures. What are the potential symbols and chronic situations a child can face due to Acid reflux and GERD?

Symptoms of Acid Reflux

Every disease exposes a few symptoms and conditions, and on the basis of medical interpretations, one is able to cure the ailment. Acid reflux has a few symbols and conditions that must be observed carefully by parents. Here are a few symbols that indicate acid reflux in children, let’s have a look at these symbols;

• Weight loss

A healthy child gains weight while childbearing acid reflux will lose weight continuously due to poor digestion and improper sleeping habits due to lower abdominal disturbance.

• Refusal to be Fed

Proper digestive activity increases the appetite of nascent while in the poor digestive process child refuses to be fed by mother.

• Regurgitate/ Vomiting/ Pyloric Stenosis

The child having such disorder pukes right after having food.

• Chest infections

Chest infections like persistent coughing, wheezing, and asthma is chronic disorders resulting due to acid reflux.

•  Ear Infections

In some children middle ear is infectious and puss and pain in the ear are regular issues.

• Hiccups

An involuntary contraction of digestive muscles will make a child suffer chronic hiccups.

• Lower Abdominal Symptoms

Gassy and foamy bowel movements are additional symptoms, stomach pain, and pain in other abdominal areas.

With these symptoms, your child needs a doctor. Make an appointment!

Causes of Acid Reflux                                                                                                         

Every ailment has some genetic, dietary, and lifestyle causes. Here we will discuss major causes for acid reflux those kids and elders possess.

• Lower Esophageal Sphincter

Improper development of lower esophageal sphincter is the leading cause of acid reflux in children. It is a valve-like structure that closes after food intake and doesn’t open until other food engulfed. But children have improperly developed this esophageal valve and this leads to acid throwback in the esophagus and in severe cases to larynx and pharynx.

•  Eosinophilic

In digestive tract buildup of white blood cells due to Eosinophilic inflammation and ulcers develop. This is also named as acidophil this is a bunch of white cells that fight back infections in body but when they are proactive in the stomach and cause internal injuries that may develop into ulcers.

• Obesity

Poor digestion in grown-up kids and teenagers make them fat and obese. Obesity is also a major cause of acid reflux and GERD.

• Premature Birth

Premature birth of a kid is a major cause of acid reflux and other diseases as well. The Premature digestive track and underdeveloped digestive organs lead to GERD.

• Parent History

Babies receive many diseases including diabetes, hepatitis, and allergies from genetic codes. Genetically if parents have a history of acid reflux it is quite possible that child will inherit the disease.

• Potential Disorders

Number a disorder is related to digestion. Many chronic ailments develop in kids due to acid reflux and GERD. Poor childcare practices and delay in treatment of acid reflux can make one prone to other serious disorders including;

• Hiatal Hernia

This is a diaphragm problem in which the upper part of the stomach bulges into the diaphragm. You don’t need treatment if you are not possessing acid reflux conditions but if you have problems than a proper treatment is necessary.

• Neurodevelopment Disorders

This is improper development of the brain which may lead to anxiety and neurological disorders. You may become the patient of nausea, poor self-control, and learning ability. Epilepsy is a significant ailment developed in patients of acid reflux.

• Cystic Fibrosis

It is a hereditary ailment that refers to underdeveloped digestive and respiratory systems. This disorder can be fatal in many cases. Severe cases are asthma and pulmonary diseases.

• Congenital Food Pipe

Esophageal atresia and trachea-esophageal fistula in these disorders esophagus are underdeveloped and food don’t reach the stomach and in trachea- esophageal fistula the windpipe is connected with esophagus and resultantly the air is pumped into the esophagus.

• Chronic Hiccups

An uncontrolled spasm is a leading cause of chronic hiccups in which a hiccup lasts more than 48 hours and for hours in kids. These hiccups disturb one when sleeping and eating something.

• Sore Throat

Elders having an issue of acid reflux may have the problem of sore throat. Continuous irritation is a leading symbol of acid reflux and the chronic condition is cancer.

The above-mentioned information has made you able to understand the syndrome and potential ailments. When having your child suffered from these symptoms do consult a doctor at the earliest. A few home remedies may help you cure the initial stage of acid reflux.

Home Remedies for Acid Reflux Babies

Few dietary solutions and habits can make you say, “Good-Bye!” to this disease. Mothers facing acid reflux issues with their babies should be careful and adopt these measures given below

• Upright Position When Feeding

Lactating mothers should hold their kids in upright positions when feeding them. It will help the kid keep food in his stomach and digest it.

• Smaller and Frequent Feedings

Kids having acid reflux issue must be fed smaller and on frequent intervals. So they may be able to digest food properly. The same solution is suggested by a nutritionist for teenagers and kids of age 7-10 years.

• Burp

Parents should burp their kids after feeding them. This enables the kid to digest properly.

• Mother’s Diet

Mother’s diet passes through milk to the child. Food with better digestive contents like cereals and fiber-rich foods must be eaten by a lactating lady. A healthy diet by mom will help child digest his food fast. Drinking plenty of fluids, water, and herbal teas can help a mother. Foods containing fatty acids must be avoided by lactating mothers.

• Restrict Physical Activity

Parents should restrain their kids from all type of physical activities for an hour after feeding.

• Sleeping Positions

After feeding your baby, put him to sleep on his back. No blanket and pillows should be underneath him. Head should be lower from the body.

• Apple Cider Vinegar for Acid Reflux

A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar after diluting it into the water be given to the kid to increase acid in the stomach.

• Chamomile for Acid Reflux

Chamomile has good qualities of digestion. Make your child drink gripe water to digest the food properly.

• Food Choice for Elders

Kids of 7-9 years of age and teenagers should select their food on their digestive properties. Citrus fruits and fried fruits must be avoided by them. Plenty of liquid consumptions will ease them out from heartburn and inflammation.

Diagnostic Tools

Physicians use many diagnostic tools to diagnose acid reflux. Let us make us aware of these diagnostic means.

• • Blood tests
  • Ultrasounds
  • Barium swallow
  • PH test
  • Endoscopy in complications

Above given information is an overview of GER (gastroesophageal reflux) or acid reflux and GERD is the severity of acid reflux in adults and teenagers. Not an issue to be ignored. Kids are more precious than a job, an activity pending, a boss’s call, a road trip, and a holiday trip.

Never ignore these blossoming flowers in the summer of your life. All hot days will become pleasant when your baby will call you, “Daddy!” Summarizing the issue of acid reflux in its own is a serious ailment in kids as well as in adults.

“Among the most sacred gifts you can give your child is the gift of health. This gift is best given by example.” Dr. Rand Olson.

Conclusion

In nutshell, acid reflux is a common disorder in the kids of age 18 months. Regularly it is a persistent issue in the kids of six months. Acid reflux after the age of 18 months leads to chronic digestive and pulmonary diseases. Parents should consult doctors if their kids have this problem when growing up.

Poor childcare and dietary habits of lactating mothers are leading causes in nascent and poor food choice in adults is a leading cause of this disease. Fiber-rich foods and consumption of fluids can help one to prevent oneself from this disease. Kids suffering from inflammation and heartburn must not be given citrus foods and foods containing fatty acids.

Weight gain in elder kids leads obesity and obesity is a leading cause for acid reflux. Proper workout and physical activities; after 2 hours of food intake; will help alleviate the disorder. Treatment by a good doctor will help you heal quicker than home remedies. To avoid serious health issues, timely treatment is necessary. Wise men say, “A stitch in time saves nine”. The most appropriate approach to get rid of these conditions; is to change the dietary habits and lifestyle. Prebiotics and probiotics intake will help kids avoid chronic ailments.

An ailment addressed properly will not develop as a chronic disorder. Parents having a history of acid reflux should be careful about their kids from the very first day. Genetic code can’t change medically; it is a fact of today and may change in the future. Till then don’t avoid genetic complications and go for plausible solutions available in medical science.

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