Acid
reflux is simply defined as the backward flow of
stomach contents into the esophagus. It usually
involves regurgitation. Almost all infants will
"spit up" after some feedings, whether they are
breast or bottle-fed. The prevalence of acid
reflux in infants peaks between 1 to 4 months
of age, and usually resolves by 6 to 12
months.
Many
of the problems below can also be symptoms or
indications that an infant has acid reflux. Not
all the problems are common in all infants but are
all possible if GERD is left untreated for a long
time.
1)
Failure to thrive. Infants grow at a steady and
predictable rate. The frequent vomiting of feeds
will eventually cause weight loss or difficulty in
maintaining weight.
2)
Food and oral aversions. The infant comes to
associate food with pain and this can cause the
infant to develop aversion or even stop feeding
altogether.
3)
Gagging and choking. Infants with GERD seem to
have a stronger gag reflex and may gag and choke
on their food often. They may also appear to gag
and choke for no apparent reason - likely from the
refluxed material coming up the
throat.
4)
Apnea. Infants with GERD are susceptible to apnea
because the refluxed material can block the
airways.
5)
Aspiration and aspiration pneumonia. When refluxed
material is allowed to enter the lungs it is
called aspiration. The pneumonia may be caused by
infection from the aspirated
material.
6)
Asthma. The acidic reflux material can cause the
airways to narrow and create wheezing and
shortness of breath which is similar to asthma.
Another possibility is that the refluxed acid can
stimulate nerve endings causing muscles in the
airway to contract.
7)
Chronic cough, hoarseness, or laryngitis. This may
be caused by the acid damaging the throat and
vocal cords.
8)
Dysphagia and strictures. Stricture may be caused
by scarring due to constant acid exposure. This
may cause difficulty in swallowing or
dysphagia.
9)
Esophagitis. The constant presence of corrosive
stomach acid leads to inflammation of the
esophagus.
10)
Anemia. May be caused when there is bleeding of
the esophageal ulcers.
11)
Erosion of dental enamel. When the stomach acid
reaches the mouth it can erode the dental
enamel.
12)
Barrett's esophagus. Precancerous changes in the
cells of the esophagus.
13)
Cancer. If acid reflux is left untreated for a
long time it is likely to develop into cancer of
the esophagus.
Medications
like antacids, H2 receptor antagonists,
proton-pump inhibitors, and motility agents may be
prescribed by the doctor. But all these drugs
provide only relief from symptoms and have serious
side effects and are harmful in the long run. To
avoid the condition from becoming chronic it is
best to take the holistic approach which is safer,
cost effective and can be incorporated easily in
daily life. This leads to a healthy life free of
not only acid reflux but other diseases as
well.
