How to prevent baby acid reflux

Introduction

GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a medical condition which affects every fifth baby out of eight million babies each year in the United States. All the babies which suffer from different neurological and developmental challenges are at a heightened risk of suffer from GERD as well. The so called baby acid reflux is a medical condition which is often associated with various misconceptions because it is not researched completely. There is a circular type of muscle located at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach.

This stomach is medically referred to as the lower esophageal sphincter and its main purpose is to stop the stomach acids from flowing back into the esophagus. When this valve like muscle does not function properly the acids from the stomach move back into the esophagus and they may sometimes get to the larynx. This mechanical problem can be corrected by using certain methods of treatment. If left untreated, GERD may lead to certain serious medical conditions such as cancer, vocal disorders, difficulties in eating, ulcers, painful sensations and numerous different sorts of infections. When it occurs in babies, gastroesophageal reflux disease can easily be confused with usual vomiting. Frequent vomiting is a normal thing to occur in toddlers for the first 3 to 4 months of their lives.

Vomiting caused by acid reflux is very distressing and often even painful. Since babies cannot speak about their medical problems, acid baby reflux is one of the medical conditions which is very difficult when it comes to diagnosing and treatment.

Methods of Treatment

An ENT specialist or a gastroenterologist needs to diagnose the disease. The symptoms which indicate this medical condition include inflammations of the sinus, inflammation of the nose, reluctance to feeding, repeated croup, high pitched sound when breathing, continual coughing, vomiting of blood, waking in the night without reason, anemia, constant crying, asthma, abdominal pains, enlargement of the adenoids, infections of the middle ear and sporadic vomiting.

The usual treatment methods for those who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease include holistic programs, surgical procedures and numerous different types of medicaments. Surgery is always the final option. Medicaments can be sub-optimal for certain reasons. They may trigger certain unwanted secondary effects and they may only help with the symptoms without fixing the cause of the condition. They may also be held responsible for a weakened immune system, which may further lead to increased vulnerability and weaknesses.