8 Ways to Treat Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

8 Ways to Treat Acid Reflux During Pregnancy
Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs in up to 50% of pregnant women. As in the non-pregnant patients, reflux occurs when there is a decrease in lower esophageal sphincter pressure or an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. The two major factors that promote gastroesophageal reflux in pregnant women are changes in hormones and the growing fetus. Changes in levels of estrogen and progesterone result in a decrease in the lower esophageal...

Obama's Pick for Secretary of Acid Reflux

As President-Elect Obama puts together his cabinet, I hope his new team includes a Secretary of Acid Reflux. And while this may seem outrageous, just remember that the Constitution does not say which or how many executive departments should be created. It really is up to the President's discretion. So just in case the President-Elect is reading this, I have compiled a list of duties for his new team member, and I am providing a short list of... Continue reading...

Five Signs of Childhood Acid Reflux That You May Overlook

The younger your child, the harder it may be to recognize the signs of acid reflux. Here are five common signs that can be an indication of acid reflux: 1. Dental Enamel Loss When reflux reaches the mouth it can eat away at a child's dental enamel and predispose him or her to tooth decay. If you suspect reflux in your child, ask your dentist to look for signs of reflux damage in the teeth. In addition to treatment of the reflux... Further reading...

Diagnosing Reflux in Kids – One Simple Question

Diagnosing Reflux in Kids – One Simple Question
In spite of the fancy technology available to quantitate and qualitate reflux in kids, its identification remains what we call a clinical diagnosis. That means that as physicians we make the diagnosis by talking to patients. As pediatricians we depend on a parent's input to help round out the symptoms described by a child.   But many times when I directly ask parents about symptoms of heartburn they immediately dismiss the idea....

Nexium Approved for Children – 5 Reasons It’s Important

The FDA recently approved the use of Nexium in children down to age one year. What does this mean for kids and how will it change the way we look at reflux?   1. Awareness. The education for physicians and direct-to-consumer advertising that we all expect from Astra-Zeneca should raise awareness that reflux is alive and well in childhood. Amen.  2. Comfort. FDA approval is often the stamp of approval that some doctors need... Read more...

8 Ways to Treat Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs in up to 50% of pregnant women. As in the non-pregnant patients, reflux occurs when there is a decrease in lower esophageal sphincter pressure or an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. The two major factors that promote gastroesophageal reflux in pregnant women are changes in hormones and the growing fetus. Changes in levels of estrogen and progesterone result in a decrease in the lower esophageal... Further reading...

Question and Answer: Reflux and Autism

Ask the Reflux Mom 10-24-08   Question:   What is the connection between Acid Reflux and Autism?   Answer:   Children with autism often have significant digestive issues including acid reflux. It is estimated that up to 76% of children with autism had one digestive issue including: reflux, diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, belching and abdominal pain. In addition, approximately 64% of children with autism had... Continue reading...

How are Acid Reflux and the Gallbladder Related?

There is no relationship between acid reflux and gallbladder disease, other than the fact that the diseases can give similar symptoms and therefore can be difficult to distinguish from on another.   While classic acid reflux disease will cause heartburn, at times it may only cause upper abdominal pain. When it does, the pain is usually located in the upper epigastric area, the region just below the breastbone in the center of the body... Continue reading...

Ask the Reflux Mom-Fussy Baby Worries

Ask the Reflux Mom-Fussy Baby Worries
  Dear Reflux Mom, I have a 3 month old baby who has been diagnosed with severe 'silent' reflux...he takes 7.5 mg of Prevacid 2x a day and is on Elecare due to allergies.  Plus, I add SimplyThick and a little ground rice cereal to his formula to weigh it down on his tummy and keep him satisfied.  My question is this - it seems the past 2 weeks he has gotten worse?  Is it true that babies will get worse before they get...

Dr. Eisner Answers Your GERD Questions: Throat and Ear Pain

Dr. Eisner Answers Your GERD Questions: Throat and Ear Pain
Dr. I have throat pain, hoarseness and an earache that won't go away. I do suffer from heartburn. Can the throat and ear pain be a result of GERD?   While it is not uncommon for gastroesophageal reflux disease to cause sore throat and hoarseness as well as ear pain and even ear infections, other more serious conditions need to be excluded. You can try maximizing treatment of acid reflux with twice a day proton pump inhibitors. If your...

Dr. Eisner Answers Your GERD Questions: Swallowing Difficulty

I have been experiencing a lot of difficulty swallowing and underwent an endoscopy that was normal. What can this be? While it was correct to undergo an upper endoscopy to look for structural lesions to explain difficulty swallowing such as cancers and strictures, the workup should not stop there. You may have a motility disorder of the esophagus, where abnormal contractions of the esophagus can effect swallowing. This can be evaluated at... Further reading...

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Reflux -- Better or Just New?

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Reflux -- Better or Just New?
"A chance to cut is a chance to cure" - This is an adage that surgeons have lived with for generations. But that may be changing.   Surgeons at Ohio State University have performed a new, incisionless operation to stop gastroesophageal reflux disease. The procedure (Esophyx) involves tightening the valve at the bottom of the swallowing tube to prevent the flow of stomach contents where it doesn't belong. And all...

8 Ways to Treat Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

8 Ways to Treat Acid Reflux During Pregnancy
Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs in up to 50% of pregnant women. As in the non-pregnant patients, reflux occurs when there is a decrease in lower esophageal sphincter pressure or an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. The two major factors that promote gastroesophageal reflux in pregnant women are changes in hormones and the growing fetus. Changes in levels of estrogen and progesterone result in a decrease in the lower esophageal...

The Croup/Reflux Connection

The Croup/Reflux Connection
A study released this week found a connection between chronic croup and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. You may have heard of croup, a common viral illness in infants and toddlers with a characteristic barking cough. In most cases, croup comes on suddenly in the middle of the night.     A Croup/Reflux Story   Whenever I think of croup and reflux, I think of a Reflux Mom I know who kept calling me about her toddler. Usually...