Many believe acid reflux is a condition that is prevalent among adults only, not children. However, acid reflux in children is actually a common occurrence. Acid reflux in children is a hidden problem because children who suffer from it are unable to explicitly describe their condition and how they feel when they are having acid reflux. In addition, most adults, especially those who do not suffer from acid reflux, are usually unable to tell when a child is suffering from acid reflux.
How to Tell if Your Child Has Acid Reflux
You need to make yourself more aware about the problems that come from acid reflux in children. The acid that is in the stomach that helps to digest food comes back up through the esophagus and into the mouth. The muscle at the top of the stomach (lower esophageal sphincter) acts like a gate, holding and keeping everything down. There is also another gate at the bottom of the mouth (upper esophageal sphincter) that helps to hold everything in the mouth until you are ready to swallow the food.
These two gates are the most important parts affecting children with acid reflux. When the child chews the food and swallows, the top gate opens up and allows the food to go down. The problem starts when the top gate opens and the bottom gate also opens, causing the acid from the stomach to rise up into the alimentary canal. When this happens, the child feels a burning sensation. Most adults would call this acidity.
The problem with acid reflux in children is that it is usually not detected for some time because the children are unable to accurately describe what is happening to them and the acid reflux goes away before they can even tell someone. Watch your child after he finishes a meal as well as when his stomach is empty. Talk to your child about how he feels and if he can feel food coming up again. Ask your child, too, if he feels a burning sensation in his chest after finishing his meal. If your child agrees that this is what he feels, contact your doctor or pediatrician for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosing Acid Reflux in Children
A pediatrician may run some tests to decide if your child has acid reflux. These tests may include a Barium test and X-rays. The doctor may even do an endoscopy. The doctor will use these tests to make a diagnosis. If your child is diagnosed with acid reflux disease, he or she will undergo another test, this time to determine the amount of acid in the stomach. This amount will help the doctor find the right treatment for your child.
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