Six Reasons Not to Overlook Reflux in Your Child

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....

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...

Dr. Eisner Answers Your Questions About Acid Reflux

Can Ultram cause or worsen symptoms of GERD?   Ultram is a centrally acting pain relief medication that is commonly taken for chronic pain conditions, specifically back pain and arthritis. Ultram has many adverse effects, including gastrointestinal side effects of nausea, vomiting and constipation. These occur in 5-15% of patients taking Ultram. The effects are due to Ultram's decrease in gastrointestinal motility, slowing down... Complete news...

Explaining Reflux

Explaining Reflux
Has this ever happened to you? You are in the checkout line at the grocery store and your toddler with reflux starts regurgitating her breakfast. First there is the telltale junky cough, a few good gags and then out comes a bit of her breakfast into your hand and down her cute little outfit. You are clutching your coupons in one hand but you absentmindedly open your purse, fetch a tissue and wipe up the mess in a matter of seconds. All is well...

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... 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...

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...

Flying the Friendly Skies

Flying with your refluxers (kids with reflux) this summer? Me too. I am planning ahead so the kids can keep to their eating routines and stay away from reflux trigger foods as much as possible.   In a way, it is probably a positive change that the airlines have stopped serving meals on most flights. The food often spent a long time traveling from the kitchen until it was served miles away on a plane, often with unpleasant results. Now... Complete news...

Flying the Friendly Skies

Flying the Friendly Skies
Flying with your refluxers (kids with reflux) this summer? Me too. I am planning ahead so the kids can keep to their eating routines and stay away from reflux trigger foods as much as possible.   In a way, it is probably a positive change that the airlines have stopped serving meals on most flights. The food often spent a long time traveling from the kitchen until it was served miles away on a plane, often with unpleasant results. Now...

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...

Six Reasons Not to Overlook Reflux in Your Child

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....

Positioning a Preemie baby with acid reflux (GERD)

Positioning a Preemie baby with acid reflux (GERD)
While handling babies with acid reflux can be tricky, handling premature babies with acid reflux can be trickier. That may be changing, however.   Two studies published last month in the Journal of Pediatrics have found that post-feed gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in preemies is increased when babies are placed in the right side down or supine positions. Both studies looked at acid reflux in 35-36 week premature babies using...