Acid reflux in children is a real cause for concern. It makes us frantic when our children are sick and cowering in pain. We suffer as much as they … but how the hell can we help?

First of all, we have to find out what is wrong … and recognizing acid reflux in children can sometimes be tricky, especially if you are a young child.

If a child complains of stomach or chest pain, you should reduce it by asking some questions such as:

• Where it hurts?
• Burns?
• Does your throat hurt?
• Do you have a bitter taste in the back of your throat?

And so on. It’s probably acid indigestion if you report a burning sensation in your chest or solar plexus area, especially if it’s accompanied by an unpleasant taste.

Dose the child with half a teaspoon of ‘Arm and Hammer’ baking soda dissolved in warm water. If the pain goes away, you can be sure it’s heartburn and you can relax a bit … Common heartburn is uncomfortable, but not dangerous. However, you should be on the lookout for other symptoms that indicate a more serious condition, namely GERD.

Symptoms of acid reflux in children

Common Acid Reflux Symptom in Children:

1. Chest pain (burning sensation).
2. Regurgitation after eating, followed by an unpleasant taste in the back of the throat.
3. Demanding with food or reluctance to eat.
4. After dinner, nausea.
5. Throat pain.
6. Occasional nausea or choking.
7. Wheezing, bronchitis, or asthma.
8. Dry cough accompanied by hoarseness.
9. Bad sleep patterns.
10. Excessive drooling – a condition known as “water impetuosity.”
11. Toothache.
12. Bad breath.
13. Poor growth patterns.

If one or more of the above are present, it’s time to introduce some diet and lifestyle changes … not just for the child, but for the whole family as well.

Recommended lifestyle changes

• Replace carbonated drinks with non-carbonated fruit juices.
• Do not play or exercise vigorously for an hour after eating.
• Serve smaller meals and include a decent mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack in your daily diet.
• Serve dinner at least three hours before bedtime.
• Make sure they drink lots of bottled water.
• No water during meals.
• No chocolate or mint.
• Elevate the head of the child’s bed by placing 6-inch-high blocks or bricks under the feet.

What if the heartburn persists?

If heartburn persists or worsens after making these changes, your child may have GERD and you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

In addition, a follow-up visit to the dentist is essential. Sometimes acid reflux can cause the loss of tooth enamel.

Specialized treatment is absolutely essential for the small percentage of babies and young children who develop GERD. These babies and young children are prone to other serious illnesses if the condition is not treated, such as:

• Damage to the lungs. If gastric juices enter the windpipe, problems such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma are sure to follow. In the worst case, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) could occur.
• Esophagitis Gastric acid that continuously splashes the lining of the esophagus causes inflammation that could lead to esophagitis. If left untreated, esophagitis becomes extremely painful, making it almost impossible for the child to swallow. Ulcers soon appear in the esophagus … followed by scars. These scars pucker and shrink the lining of the esophagus, causing it to narrow. These strictures can block the esophagus and prevent food from reaching the stomach. If an ulcer ruptures, it could lead to life-threatening internal bleeding … Beware of black or bloody stools.
• Barrett’s esophagus is a fairly rare condition that occurs in a small percentage of patients. However, this condition is dangerous! If left untreated, it could lead to a deadly form of cancer.

Your doctor may prescribe a proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocker to control acid production. This may be necessary to allow the injured esophagus to heal.

Make sure your child does not take these medications for more than 8 weeks without further evaluation.