Five Signs of Childhood Acid Reflux That You May Overlook

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...

Dr. Eisner Answers Your Questions About Acid Reflux

I recently reached menopause and was started on hormone replacement therapy and have noticed an increase in heartburn. Is there any relation?   It has long been known, that when women are pregnant, they have an increase in symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. While some of this is due to the increase in intra-abdominal pressure related to the growing fetus, there is even an increase during the first trimester. This is felt to... Continue reading...

Dealing with Discontinued Medication

Dealing with Discontinued Medication
"This medication has been discontinued."   That's what our pharmacist told us the last time we went to pick up my son's prescription for Erythomycin. You may remember that Erythomycin is a common antibiotic that is often used to help individuals who may have an allergy to penicillin, and it can also help with gastric emptying for reflux patients. I wrote about how well the drug was working with my son's nasal stuffiness at...

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...

Does Standing Up While Eating Help?

My son with reflux is now 6 years old. For the past several years, it seems my husband and I never get to the end of a meal without arguing with our son about sitting down while he finishes eating, because without fail, after the first half of his meal, my son always jumps up from his chair and begins to walk around the table, telling us that he is uncomfortable sitting down. My husband and I always attributed this behavior to the fact that... Further reading...

Beyond Tired-Sleep issues and GERD

So tired. So tired of waking up night after night, hour after hour. So tired my whole body aches and my brain doesn’t work. So tired of feeling tired.   One thing is certain, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and sleep problems go hand in hand.  If you have an infant or child with GERD, it is likely you are struggling to get your little one to sleep at night and you are feeling some level of sleep deprivation ranging from... Continue reading...

A Pain Free Thanksgiving

When I think about Thanksgiving, thoughts of indulging in large quantities of food with friends and family usually come to mind. But if you are living with acid reflux this can be a recipe for pain and discomfort. So if you or someone you love is living with acid reflux and hoping to have a pain free Thanksgiving, I am going to provide a stomach-friendly menu that hopefully everyone can give thanks for.   (The following recipes are based... Read more...

Beyond Tired-Sleep issues and GERD

Beyond Tired-Sleep issues and GERD
So tired. So tired of waking up night after night, hour after hour. So tired my whole body aches and my brain doesn’t work. So tired of feeling tired.   One thing is certain, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and sleep problems go hand in hand.  If you have an infant or child with GERD, it is likely you are struggling to get your little one to sleep at night and you are feeling some level of sleep deprivation ranging from...

Dr. Eisner Answers Your Questions About Acid Reflux

Dr. Eisner Answers Your Questions About Acid Reflux
What can I do to avoid having attacks of esophageal reflux this time of the year? With the holidays just around the corner, whether you have a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease or not, think twice about what and when you eat to avoid that uncomfortable feeling of heartburn. Most people are aware that caffeine-containing foods such as chocolate, fatty foods and spicy foods can induce reflux. Just as important, however, is the amount...

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....

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...

Another cup of "Joe?"

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...

No Sleep: A Reflux Mom's Point of View

Any mom will tell you, long term sleep issues from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) causes your child to be irritable, fussy and difficult to live with. Not surprisingly, most children with GERD would probably agree that moms and caretakers are irritable and difficult to live with due to sleep deprivation! It is like “new mother’s haze” but it lasts much longer. Friends and family expect the mother of a newborn to skip... Continue reading...

No Sleep: A Reflux Mom's Point of View

Any mom will tell you, long term sleep issues from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) causes your child to be irritable, fussy and difficult to live with. Not surprisingly, most children with GERD would probably agree that moms and caretakers are irritable and difficult to live with due to sleep deprivation! It is like “new mother’s haze” but it lasts much longer. Friends and family expect the mother of a newborn to skip... Continue reading...

A Pain Free Thanksgiving

When I think about Thanksgiving, thoughts of indulging in large quantities of food with friends and family usually come to mind. But if you are living with acid reflux this can be a recipe for pain and discomfort. So if you or someone you love is living with acid reflux and hoping to have a pain free Thanksgiving, I am going to provide a stomach-friendly menu that hopefully everyone can give thanks for.   (The following recipes are based... Complete news...