Saturday, June 20, 2009

Can Children Get Acid Reflux?

By Lyn Silverstreet

Acid reflux symptoms are well known to occur in adults, but research has revealed that children can get acid reflux as well. As awareness of the symptoms and their potentially dangerous effects on the body, parents and doctors are investigating claims of acid reflux instead of simply brushing them off.

Infants can get acid reflux as well. What a parent or doctor may termed colic years ago may actually have been acid reflux.

Thankfully (or maybe not) the symptoms of acid reflux are very universal. The triggers for acid reflux are pretty universal too, provided they are kept in very broad categories. Activities like eating, bending over and lying down, for example are known to trigger acid reflux.

Its difficult to say if anyone ever outgrows acid reflux. Diet, eating habits and body chemistry play a large part in the elimination or perpetuation of acid reflux.

Observe your children after exposure to new foods to determine if there are any allergic reactions or acid reflux symptoms. If they are experiencing discomfort from acid reflux, treat it with a mild antacid first.

One of the biggest reasons children get acid reflux is from the food and drinks they consume. Sugary drinks and foods may trigger acid reflux, as may certain candies and chocolate.

Whether your child suffers from acid reflux or not, make sure they are consuming enough water and milk on a daily basis. Spicy foods and caffeinated drinks are common causes of acid reflux in children.

Luckily, a lot of the causes of acid reflux in children can be eliminated at home. Incorporating a variety of low acid foods into their diet will reduce or eliminate the possibility for acid reflux. If and when it does happen, try treating it with a mild antacid (milk works great) and explaining to your child what probably caused the symptoms.

Hormonal changes can also trigger acid reflux. If your child is going through a growth spurt or starting puberty they may experience acid reflux more often. By now they should know what foods tend to trigger their reflux and alternatives they can eat instead.

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