Can Children Get Acid Reflux?
How often do you hear of children getting acid reflux? Granted, not often but they do. Research has revealed that not only do children get acid reflux, but the symptoms are the same as adults. As the public at large becomes more aware of this phenomenon, doctors and parents are able to detect and prevent acid reflux symptoms early thus avoiding internal damage caused by untreated acid reflux.
Acid reflux does not discriminate. The very young to the very old may experience its uncomfortable effects. Colic used to be the blanket term for any sort of unexplainable discomfort experienced by infants. What was formerly thought to be colic may have actually been acid reflux.
Thankfully (or maybe not) the symptoms of acid reflux are very universal. The triggers for acid reflux are pretty universal too, provided they are kept in very broad categories. Activities like eating, bending over and lying down, for example are known to trigger acid reflux.
It’s hard to say if anyone really outgrows acid reflux symptoms. Diet and body chemistry vary too much to make an absolute statement. As children are introduced to new foods, their bodies may react to it by triggering acid reflux, nausea or some sort of allergic reaction.
Watch your children carefully after they try new foods and listen to their complaints if they are in discomfort afterward. You may be able to treat their discomfort immediately without leaving home.
One of the biggest reasons children get acid reflux is from the food and drinks they consume. Sugary drinks and foods may trigger acid reflux, as may certain candies and chocolate.
Milk is one of the best natural antacids around. Growing children benefit from the calcium as well, but serving milk with meals will help aid digestion and reduce or eliminate any acid reflux symptoms. Water is a great back up if milk is not available.
Luckily, a lot of the causes of acid reflux in children can be eliminated at home. Incorporating a variety of low acid foods into their diet will reduce or eliminate the possibility for acid reflux. If and when it does happen, try treating it with a mild antacid (milk works great) and explaining to your child what probably caused the symptoms.
As your children age, their hormones can trigger acid reflux. If the child is going through puberty or a growth spurt they may experience more acid reflux symptoms than normal. By now though, both the child and parent should know what foods tend to trigger acid reflux for the child and try to minimize the consumption of those foods.