Acid Reflux Disease Symptom In Children And Adult

Acid reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is medically described as mucosal damage or chronic symptoms generated by an aberrant reflux of acidic contents into the esophagus. The backflow is usually due to a malfunctioning of the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. The LES holds the duty to firmly shuts off the muscular valve in between the stomach and esophagus. But when it is not firmly closed or is relaxed, it is when the reflux takes place.

Acid reflux disease symptoms vary on adults and children. In adults, heartburn is more common and the primary sign of a reflux disease. But this is not to say, every heartburn is because of an acid reflux, but the frequency of a heartburn attack must be thoroughly considered. Findings in an adult GERD show of esophagitis or reflux esophagitis. This is an inflammatory changes of the mucosa or esophageal lining. Another symptoms include a swallowing difficulty or termed as dysphagia, chest pains, and strictures. Patients do not necessarily have all these signs to be qualified for acid reflux disease, but may only have one of these. The expected GERD indications are hoarseness, nausea, cough, voice changes, earache, chest pains, and sinusitis. If left untreated, GERD may complicate further resulting to a stricture formation, esophageal ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus, and worst, esophageal cancer, particularly those above 60 years of age.

Reflux diseases symptoms are easily detected on adults than they are on children, especially among infants. GERD cases on children can be characterized by a repetitive vomiting, coughing, spitting up, and some respiratory problems may arise. Children may experience one symptom only or several. Loss of appetite, failure to achieve the desired weight, burping, belching, and inconsolable crying are additional symptoms of acid reflux disease in children. Take note that there is no universal symptom for all children.

An estimated eight million babies in the United States are born each year and 35% of these babies experience reflux difficulties in their first months of life. Eventually, reflux on these babies are outgrown usually by the age of one year old. Unfortunately, there are few who are not able to outgrow the predicament.

Infants’ underdeveloped digestive systems primarily cause such conditions that is why, when the baby grows older, acid reflux symptoms gradually disappear. Parents of children whose signs of heartburn that seem not to fade may consult the child’s pediatrician or any medical professional.

Treatment and medications may vary depending on the patient’s age and health condition. Diverse treatments, both natural and medical, are now readily obtainable.