WHAT’S UP WITH MY KID’S STOMACH? (2-12 year olds)
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) occurs during or after a meal when stomach contents go back into the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
Most children are able to decrease their reflux with lifestyle and diet changes:
- Have your child eat smaller meals more often
- Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime
- Elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees
- Avoid carbonated drinks, chocolate, caffeine, and foods that are high in fat (french fries and pizza) or contain a lot of acid (citrus, pickles, tomato products) or spicy foods
- Avoid large meals prior to exercise
- Help your child lose weight if he or she is overweight
- Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke
Most children with GER will be helped with the treatment mentioned above. If symptoms are severe or persistent then your primary care provider may consider treatment with a medication or referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist.
Worrisome Symptoms of Reflux Disease in Children (2-12 year olds)
(Symptoms experienced by your child)
- Repeated vomiting associated with
- Blood
- Green or yellow fluid
- Weight loss or poor weight gain
- Frequent sensation of food or liquid coming up into the back of the throat or mouth
- Frequent discomfort in the stomach or chest
- Swallowing problems
- Discomfort with the act of swallowing
- Pain with swallowing
- Sensation that food gets stuck on the way down
- Breathing problems
- Wheezing
- Chronic cough or recurrent pneumonia
- Hoarseness
- Asthma
If you have concerns, speak to your healthcare provider.
SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK (13+years)
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) occurs during or after a meal when stomach contents go back into the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
Most teenagers are able to decrease their reflux with lifestyle and diet changes:
- Have your teenager eat smaller meals more often
- Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime
- Elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees
- Avoid carbonated drinks, chocolate, caffeine, and foods that are high in fat (french fries and pizza) or contain a lot of acid citrus, pickles, tomato products) or spicy foods
- Avoid large meals prior to exercise
- Help your teen lose weight if he or she is overweight
- Avoid cigarette smoking
- Avoid drinking alcohol
Most Teen with GER will be helped with the treatment mentioned above. If symptoms are severe or persistent then your primary care provider may consider treatment with a medication or referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist.
Worrisome Symptoms of Reflux Disease in Teenagers (13+ years)
(Symptoms experienced by your teen)
- Repeated vomiting associated with
- Blood
- Green or yellow fluid
- Weight loss or poor weight gain
- Frequent sensation of food or liquid coming up into the back of the throat or mouth
- Frequent discomfort in the stomach or chest
- Heartburn
- Swallowing problems
- Discomfort with the act of swallowing
- Pain with swallowing
- Sensation that food gets stuck on the way down
- Breathing problems
- Wheezing
- Chronic cough or recurrent pneumonia
- Hoarseness
- Asthma
If you have concerns, speak to your healthcare provider.
Source: Children’s Digestive Health and Nutrition