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It is well known that for babies acid reflux is a common problem. It is also known that they spit up a lot. This problem, infant acid reflux is also known as gastroesophageal reflux. Many studies that were done proved the fact that more than half of the babies experience reflux in the first months of life. In most of the cases the reflux will occur right after the baby is fed but it can also happen when the baby cries or coughs. Probably this situation is much more difficult to handle for you as a parent because children are usually happy and healthy even if they spit up pretty often. This common problem solves from itself by the ages 12 to 18 months. Until that period many factors might help to keep the reflux under control. Among these factors we might remember the changes in feeding technique, smaller and more frequent feedings or interrupting feedings to burp. Medication for infant acid reflux is recommended only in a few and more complicated cases. The most common and classic sign of infant acid reflux is spitting up. Along with this condition there is the possibility for poor feeding or irritability. The main cause for infant acid reflux is the age. At a normal person the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach will open only when you are swallowing and closes right after. Until this muscle matures your child’s stomach content might occasionally flow up the esophagus. Another cause might be the bubbles in the esophagus that will push the liquid out of your baby’s mouth. As we said before infant acid reflux is a normal condition and you only have to ask for medical help in the following situations: when your child is not getting weight, when he spits up forcefully, spits more than a tablespoon or two at a time, spits up green or brown fluid, resists feeding, looks hungry between feedings, has other signs of illness such as fever, diarrhea or difficulty breathing or develops a chronically hoarse voice. Diagnosing an infant is usually done after monitoring its symptoms and after a physical exam. Supplementary tests are needed only if your doctor believes that the child might develop a more serious condition such as GERD. In these cases the diagnostic tests may include lab tests, esophageal pH monitoring, upper GI series or upper endoscopy. The most common treatments used for this condition are h2 blockers, ranitidine or proton pump inhibitors.
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