What is Acid Reflux ?
Is a chronic condition in which liquid content of the stomach leak back (reflux) into the esophagus. The abnormally refluxed gastric contents usually contains acid. When this refluxed gastric acid touches the lining of esophagus, it causes heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest or throat . Acid reflux disease symptoms include chronic heartburn symptoms. Articles in this section provide more information on what causes Acid Reflux, the symptoms of Acid Reflux, prevention and treatment on GERD.

Infant Acid Reflux: Treatment for Acid Reflux in Babies
Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux, is a common problem among infants that is characterized by spitting up or expulsion of the stomach content, during or just after feeding. The problem is usually prevalent in the early months of life and then slowly subsides between the 6th and the 12 month. For the majority of the babies, acid reflux does not cause much trouble, as babies may not experience any other problem except spitting. In such a situation, no treatment is required, and slight modifications in eating habits and lifestyle can considerably control the situation. But sometimes, it can lead to certain serious conditions that can cause other health problems.

Causes and Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Babies
Acid reflux is usually a result of poor coordination of the gastrointestinal tract, where acid and abdominal content flow back into the esophagus. The esophagus is a muscular tube that is responsible for connecting the throat to the stomach. A tough muscle of the esophagus, known as esophageal sphincter, allows food to move out of the esophagus to the stomach and at the same time prevents any reverse flow. Therefore, acid reflux can be caused by the malfunctioning or immaturity of this muscle. In addition to this, dietary habits like overfeeding or underfeeding, can cause indigestion and acid reflux in infants.

Treatment for Acid Reflux in Babies
Most of the time, acid reflux does not require any treatment, as it usually subsides on its own with age. But you can also control the situation by making certain changes in the lifestyle and dietary habits. You should avoid underfeeding or overfeeding your baby. Instead, babies should be given frequent, small meals. It is also important to feed your baby in the right position. They should be held in an upright position during feeding and also for half an hour after feeding. Thickening the formula and burping your baby several times during feeding, can be helpful in relieving the symptoms of acid reflux.

If you are breastfeeding your baby, then it is important to avoid or reduce the amount of certain foods like chocolate, garlic and caffeine, as they are believed to have reflux promoting effects. The sleeping position can also play a significant role, as sleeping in a slightly elevated position can help keep the food and acid in the stomach and thereby prevent reflux during nighttime.

However, if all these measures fail to bring relief to your child and there is ground to believe that acid reflux is affecting your babies normal rate of growth and development, then you should better consult your physician for a proper treatment. The physician may evaluate the symptoms and perform some physical tests to diagnose the disease. For treating acid reflux in babies, they may prescribe acid blockers, also known as H2 blockers, and acid suppressors like proton pump inhibitors to block the production of acid in the stomach, in addition to changes in the lifestyle and feeding habits. In severe cases of infant acid reflux, surgery may be an important treatment option to tighten the esophageal sphincter in order to prevent reflux.

Sometimes acid reflux can lead to certain serious conditions like poor growth, spitting blood and esophageal damage. Therefore, it is very important to regularly monitor the symptoms and seek the advice of an experienced physician for treating acid reflux in babies.

causes of Acid Reflux Disease
The word reflux is derived from the Latin word refluere, meaning to move back or retreat. Acid reflux can be caused due to a variety of reasons. Erratic eating habits is the main cause for acid reflux. Frequently having spicy or fried food and heavy meals cause acid reflux. Coffee and citrus fruits worsen this disorder. It is also observed in case of pregnancy and peptic ulcers. Smoking and alcoholism is also a cause of acid reflux. Irregular lifestyle in an individual is also one of the main cause responsible for this disorder. Now that the prominent causes are known, let us have a look at the symptoms of acid reflux disease.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease
Regurgitation: It is the most frequently observed symptom of acid reflux. Due to the malfunctioning of the esophageal sphincter, the contents in the stomach come back to the mouth. The person may experience bitter and sour taste in the mouth after meals.

Heartburn: Heartburn is the one of the most common symptom of acid reflux disease. A person feels a burning sensation in the lower chest. Some people relate heart burn with heart attack. But one must remember that they are not related. Heartburn is related to acid reflux.

Dysphagia: Dysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing is also observed. A person may get the sensation that something is stuck inside his esophagus, and hence discomfort is experienced. He may even feel loss of appetite.

Dyspepsia: It is a disorder of digestive function causing nausea or heartburn. It is commonly experienced by people having acid reflux disease.

Vomiting and Nausea: As the acid from the stomach comes back to the throat, the person feels nauseous. Sometimes, particles of food may also flow back to the mouth resulting in vomiting. Though, vomiting due to acid reflux is not a common symptom.

Apart from these major indications, symptoms of acid reflux disease also include burping, hoarseness, feeling of bloating and discomfort. Symptoms of acid reflux in infants, are also observed.

Acid reflux disease is not a very severe or dangerous disease. It is a common disorder experienced by most people. But this does not mean that one must ignore the symptoms. Constant irritation caused due to frequent acid reflux results in GERD (Gastrophageal Reflux Disease), and it is chronic. GERD is also one of the causes of esophageal cancer.

The best precaution that you can take to control or avoid acid reflux is have a healthy and balanced diet. Do not have irregular and heavy meals. People who have a control on their appetite seldom suffer from acid reflux disease. You must also reduce intake of extremely spicy food, especially at night. Changing your lifestyle is advisable if you persistently suffer from acid reflux. As medication, acid suppressants and antacids are available which can treat acid reflux. But medications have to be strictly taken under the supervision and advice of a physician. Natural treatments for acid reflux are also available.

Signs and tests
You may not need any tests if your symptoms are not severe.
If your symptoms are severe or they come back after you have been treated, one or more tests may help diagnose reflux or any complications:
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is often used to identify the cause and examine the esophagus (swallowing tube) for damage. The doctor inserts a thin tube with a camera on the end through your mouth. The tube is then passed into your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
• Barium swallow
• Continuous esophageal pH monitoring
• Esophageal manometry
A positive stool occult blood test may diagnose bleeding from the irritation in the esophagus.
 

Acid Reflux Diet: Safe Foods to Eat with Acid Reflux
Acid reflux, commonly known as heartburn is the condition when the acid created by the stomach regurgitates into the upper parts of intestine and the esophagus. This is due to malfunctioning of the sphincter muscle of esophagus, which fails to close, allowing the contents to re- enter esophagus. Though the cause of acid reflux can be highly attributed to eating large proportions of meals, there are several other factors which contribute to this disorder. Some of them are hiatal hernia, peptic ulcers, insufficient digestive enzymes, pregnancy (a temporary cause), unhealthy lifestyle etc.

Since, acid reflux is not a serious disorder, the discomfort associated with it can hamper the quality of life of the patient. A little medication and proper diet and exercises can easily control this disorder. Safe foods for acid reflux can be best identified by the patient himself by maintaining a diet diary and recording what sort of foodstuffs work for him.

Safe Foods to Eat with Acid Reflux
However, there are certain foods that can be consumed by the acid reflux patients without any trouble. Here is the list of safe foods to eat:

Fruits

Not all the fruits can go well with heart-burn. Citrus fruits should be exclusively avoided. Fruits like berries can be consumed in moderation. Also other acidic fruits like tomato should not be consumed in any form. The fruits that can be safely consumed are:

* Apple (fresh, dried, juice)
* Bananas

Vegetables

Vegetables should be cooked in very little oil. Also certain vegetables like onion should not be eaten raw. Potato can be consumed only when baked. Other safe vegetables include:

* Green Peas
* Cabbage
* Broccoli
* Baked Potato
* Green beans
* Carrots

Meat
All types of meat can be safely consumed, provided they are rightly cooked. Cooking in little oil or steamed, is the best way to consume meat. Safe forms of meat include:

* Ground Beef (extra lean)
* Steak
* Chicken (skinless)
* Fish (no added fat)
* Egg White
* Egg substitutes

Dairy

Only low-fat or fat-free versions of dairy products are safe to consume.

* Cheese (feta or goat)
* Cream cheese (fat-free)
* Sour cream (fat-free)
* Soy cheese (low-fat)

Grains

Certain food grains can provide fiber supplements for acid reflux. Low fat, high carbohydrate grains are safe for acid reflux.

* Bread (multi-grain or white )
* Cereal (bran or oatmeal)
* Corn bread
* Graham crackers
* Pretzels
* Rice (brown or white)
* Rice cakes

Beverages

It is a common myth that drinking milk is the quick fix for acid reflux disorder. But the fact is, drinking milk can aggravate the problem, especially at night. Also, alcoholic beverages like beer can trigger the production of acid in stomach. Caffeine beverages or aerated drinks are not at all advisable for acid reflux. Hence the only safe beverage for acid reflux is:

* Mineral water

Fats and Oils
Fats and oils are to be strictly avoided by the people suffering from acid reflux. The only recommended form of consumption of fats and oils is:

* Salad dressing (low fat)

Sweets
Sweets that can be consumed without a problem are:

* Jelly Beans
* Red Licorice
* Cookie (fat-free)

Though the above mentioned foods can constitute the safe diet for acid reflux, they should never be consumed in large proportions. Having 5-6 small meals a day will be a good option for people suffering from acid reflux. Also, they should try and maintain an erect posture for at least 45 minutes after meal. Positioning head at the height above rest of the body while sleeping reduces the occurrence of acid reflux.