Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux is more common early in infancy and slowly declines in incidence over the first year of life. Nearly all infants have some degree of reflux, but the symptoms vary greatly in severity. Reflux becomes medically important when it causes respiratory symptoms and failure to thrive. The association of reflux with respiratory symptoms (reactive airway disease, stridor, pneumonia, and apnea) is less well substantiated than the GI symptoms. However, occasional resolution of respiratory symptoms with reflux treatment has been demonstrated.

Causes

Several factors that may cause GERD such as includes, alcohol use, overweight, pregnancy, smoking.

If you will eat certain foods such as including citrus fruits, chocolate, drinks with caffeine, fatty and fried foods, garlic and onions, mint flavorings, spicy foods, tomato-based foods, like spaghetti sauce, chili, and pizza.

Symptoms

• Irritability
• Regurgitation and nonprojectile vomiting
• Belching, refusal to feed, and rarely, failure to thrive

Signs

• Few clinical signs of reflux
• Abdominal examination is normal.

Treatment

The treatment is based on lifestyle modification and control of gastric acid secretion. Lifestyle modifications such as includes, Losing weight, Avoiding alcohol, chocolate, citrus juice, and tomato-based products, Avoiding large mealsm Waiting 3 hours after a meal before lying down and elevating the head of the bed 8 inches.

Certain foods are considered to promote gastroesophageal reflux. Coffee, alcohol, calcium supplements, and excessive amounts of Vitamin C supplements are stimulants of gastric acid secretion. Taking these before bedtime especially can promote evening reflux. Calcium containing antacids are in this group . Having more but smaller meals also reduces the risk of GERD, as it means there is less food in the stomach at any one time. You avoid cruciferous vegetables such as onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts and soft drinks.