Acid reflux disease is a painful disease that can lead to serious life threatening complications if left untreated.
When a child is diagnosed with acid reflux disease it can be devastating.
Diagnosing acid reflux disease in children can be tricky because the symptoms can mimic many other illnesses.
·Difficulty in swallowing ·Pain in the throat when eating ·Vomiting projectile or green bile ·Stunted growth These are all symptoms of acid reflux disease.
Your child's pediatrician will perform tests and monitor your child in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
There are two types of tests that can be done.
The first is a non-invasive test where your child will be required to drink a barium drink and then x-rays are taken.
The barium formula allow the x-ray to take a detailed image of your child's digestive track and will allow the doctor to detect any type of abnormalities.
The second test is done only if the pediatrician cannot detect anything on the x-ray.
It is an invasive procedure where your child will be anesthetized and probe with a light and camera is inserted into the child's stomach to see if there is any damage.
It may sound like a very scary and complicated procedure, however the equipment is no bigger than a thin tube.
It is more traumatic for the parents than it is for the child because he or she is asleep and does not know what is happening.
Once a correct diagnosis is made, your child's pediatrician will recommend dietary changes and also prescribe medication that relieve the pain.
It is important that you understand that children usually outgrow acid reflux however it is important that you get it diagnosed and treated because of the complications that can occur even in children.
·Damage to the esophagus ·Breathing difficulties ·Damage to the larynx ·Increased risk of esophagus cancer These are all very serious illnesses and can be prevented with proper medical treatment.
Your child depends on you to keep him or her safe from harm, it is important that you follow his or her pediatricians advice very carefully to avoid any possibility of life threatening disease later in life.
When a child is diagnosed with acid reflux disease it can be devastating.
Diagnosing acid reflux disease in children can be tricky because the symptoms can mimic many other illnesses.
·Difficulty in swallowing ·Pain in the throat when eating ·Vomiting projectile or green bile ·Stunted growth These are all symptoms of acid reflux disease.
Your child's pediatrician will perform tests and monitor your child in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
There are two types of tests that can be done.
The first is a non-invasive test where your child will be required to drink a barium drink and then x-rays are taken.
The barium formula allow the x-ray to take a detailed image of your child's digestive track and will allow the doctor to detect any type of abnormalities.
The second test is done only if the pediatrician cannot detect anything on the x-ray.
It is an invasive procedure where your child will be anesthetized and probe with a light and camera is inserted into the child's stomach to see if there is any damage.
It may sound like a very scary and complicated procedure, however the equipment is no bigger than a thin tube.
It is more traumatic for the parents than it is for the child because he or she is asleep and does not know what is happening.
Once a correct diagnosis is made, your child's pediatrician will recommend dietary changes and also prescribe medication that relieve the pain.
It is important that you understand that children usually outgrow acid reflux however it is important that you get it diagnosed and treated because of the complications that can occur even in children.
·Damage to the esophagus ·Breathing difficulties ·Damage to the larynx ·Increased risk of esophagus cancer These are all very serious illnesses and can be prevented with proper medical treatment.
Your child depends on you to keep him or her safe from harm, it is important that you follow his or her pediatricians advice very carefully to avoid any possibility of life threatening disease later in life.
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