Don't Trust Your Child to an Adult Gastroenterologist

Would you trust your accountant to change the brakes on your mini-van?  Probably not.  And so too shouldn't trust your child to an adult gastroenterologist.  Here's why: They're not trained to treat children.  Children are remarkably different creatures from adults and the effect of digestive disease on growth, nutrition and development requires specific training.   So what if there isn't a pediatric... Further reading...

Six Reasons Not to Overlook Reflux in Your Child

Once felt to be a non-issue, childhood acid reflux is getting attention as a real problem. Here's why you shouldn't turn a blind eye to your child's symptoms:   1. Your child can't speak for herself. You as a parent are the front line in identifying the subtle signs of acid reflux in your child. And as your child's only advocate it is up to you to see to it that your child gets the care she deserves.  2... Read more...

Dr. Eisner Answers Your GERD Questions

My newborn baby has been spitting up and vomiting a lot after feeding. Is this a sign of reflux, and what can be done?   Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in an infant may include burping, frequent spitting up or non-projectile vomiting, frequent night waking, poor weight gain, difficulty swallowing and sudden, inconsolable crying. Unless the infant shows signs of poor growth, severe choking, or lung disease, it is rarely... Complete news...

Dr. Eisner Answers Your GERD Questions: Swallowing Difficulty

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...

Another cup of "Joe?"

I found it interesting that this month that the ENTIRE issue of Delta Airline's Sky Magazine is devoted to our fascination with coffee. Everything from caffeinated lip balm to the world's great java-related destinations are covered. But if you are living with acid reflux disease should coffee really be the drink of choice?   Researchers at Stanford University recently tried to answer this question. They looked at all of the research... Complete news...

"Cry It Out" Part II - The Latest on Infant Pain Management

Is it better to comfort an infant in pain or allow them to cry? In part II of this series, Tracy presents recent research findings in support of one camp. If you missed part I read it here for some background before reading on!   Researchers and pediatricians are becoming more interested in pain in infants, because research findings are now available to support at least two of the ideas that parents have suspected for a long time... Read more...

Obama's Pick for Secretary of Acid Reflux

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...

Trick or Treat Part II

Several weeks ago, I shared in a blog post that our family would be skipping the trick or treat ritual this year for the first time due to my youngest son's acid reflux disease.  In all honesty, I wasn't sure how it would all go. I'm happy to report that celebrating Halloween in a different way this year was a huge success for our family. I hope that sharing our experiences will encourage you to rethink some of your family's holiday... Continue 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....

Reflux 101: A Parent's Book for You

I have a big announcement- Reflux 101: A Parent's Guide to Gastroesophageal Reflux has been published. It is a comprehensive guide to parenting a baby or child with Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). I wrote this book for you, the many parents of babies and children with reflux. When my daughter was struggling with reflux, I longed for a book that would answer my questions and provide the support and hope... Continue reading...

Dr. Eisner Answers Your GERD Questions

Dr. Eisner Answers Your GERD Questions
I have acid reflux and I am concerned about undergoing anesthesia for an upcoming procedure. Am I at increased risk of aspiration?   While acid reflux disease does increase the risk of aspiration in patients undergoing anesthesia, as long as your reflux is controlled you should be okay. While you should check with your surgeon, who in turn may want to check with the anesthesiologist, it will be best to take your reflux meds the morning of...

Acid Reflux and Exercise

Acid Reflux and Exercise
Several of you have written to the HealthCentral Network, inquiring if acid reflux should prevent you from doing physical exercise. One individual who wrote in was especially concerned because he is enlisted as a Marine, and his job requires frequent physical activity. For those of you wondering about the relationship between acid reflux and exercise, here are some of the findings from the latest research:   1) Physical exercise increases...

Don't Trust Your Child to an Adult Gastroenterologist

Don't Trust Your Child to an Adult Gastroenterologist
Would you trust your accountant to change the brakes on your mini-van?  Probably not.  And so too shouldn't trust your child to an adult gastroenterologist.  Here's why: They're not trained to treat children.  Children are remarkably different creatures from adults and the effect of digestive disease on growth, nutrition and development requires specific training.   So what if there isn't a pediatric...

Obama's Pick for Secretary of Acid Reflux

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...

Feeling Trapped

Feeling Trapped
This post was originally published on February 15, 2007. It was reviewed and republished on November 24, 2008.  Blizzards and ice storms have certainly been in the news recently. The storms have caused power outages, school closings and other problems large and small. Winter weather causes a lot of people to feel trapped and cut off from other people. It is a lot like having a baby with reflux-parents often feel trapped at home, lonely...