A Pain Free Thanksgiving

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...

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...

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... Continue reading...

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... Read more...

Does Standing Up While Eating Help?

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...

Are PPI's Safe?

Recently, I have seen several TV news stories and newspaper articles about the safety of Proton Pump Inhibitors or PPI’s, a popular medication to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. You may be more familiar with the brand names of PPI’s such as Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec or Protonix.     New research was presented at a large gathering of gastroenterologists attending the Digestive Disease Week Conference... Read more...

Resolve To Have Fun!

Resolve To Have Fun!
Being overweight is a strong risk factor for acid reflux disease and esophageal erosions. The risk for these disorders progressively increases with increasing weight. I suspect many of you are already well aware of these facts and would love to begin 2009 by getting in better shape. This SharePost is written for you!   Unfortunately, somewhere in the late 20th century we veered off track and started to equate exercise only with things...

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... Continue reading...

What is wrong with my baby?

What is wrong with my baby?
I think parents and especially mothers have a sense that something is wrong well before everyone else. Yet even when the baby is having digestive problems that suggest a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), some babies must wait weeks or even months for a diagnosis.  A recent study confirmed what parents tell me all the time: many young children with reflux are not diagnosed for months while...

Dr. Eisner Answers Your GERD Questions

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...

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... Continue reading...

Another Acid Reflux Friendly Meal Idea Part I

Providing recipes for those with acid reflux can be tricky business. Individuals react differently to different foods, especially if their reflux is caused by food allergies or their reflux has caused a very sensitive stomach. However, I will keep sharing what works for my family, because as a mother of a young son with acid reflux disease, and another son who can eat anything he wants, coming up with menu ideas to suit everyone has been one... Continue reading...