Influx reflux is a natural physiological process. You can fix the problem by adjusting the nutrition of the baby and the nursing mother. You should know that there is such a disease as reflux. These conditions have the same symptoms, but you should still know how they differ from each other.
Norm or pathology?
With gastroesophageal reflux, the stomach contents are refluxed into the esophagus or mouth. In an infant, this content is represented by milk or porridge, depending on the nutrition of the baby. Reflux is sometimes called acidic because acids can enter the esophagus from the stomach.
As medical practice shows, children under 4 months spit up to 5 times a day. Reflux in infants is becoming less common with age, completely disappears - by 1.6 years. In the event that the baby rarely spits up and feels fine, one can testify to uncomplicated reflux that does not need to be treated.
Why does the baby spit up?
The newborn has a short esophagus, the volume of the stomach is approximately 29 ml. The stomach in babies is located horizontally, and the muscles that are on the border with the esophagus are not fully developed. Based on this, we can conclude that overeating often provokes the appearance of reflux in infants. Doctors say that in the process of regurgitation, the baby does not have painful sensations, but discomfort may be present. Restless sleep and increased irritability are not clinical symptoms of reflux.
Symptoms of the disease
Under what circumstances should I see a doctor? Sometimes reflux in an infant indicates that a pathology is developing, namely, gastroesophageal reflux disease. If acid from the stomach systematically enters the esophagus, the organ may be damaged. Symptoms of the disease include:
- the child often and abundantly spits up;
- the baby is not calm and does not eat well;
- the child bends the back and tries to take a comfortable position;
- poorly gaining weight;
- a strong cough appeared, which does not occur due to an infectious disease.
If one of the symptoms of reflux occurs in infants, it is important to consult a doctor immediately, as this may indicate that the disease is progressing. The child’s body is vulnerable to any disease, so do not self-medicate, since in this way you can greatly harm and aggravate the general condition of the child.
What are the causes of pathology?
Many mothers know the symptoms of reflux in infants, but not everyone knows the reasons that provoke its appearance. In addition to the weakened antireflux mechanism, there are other anomalies, the occurrence of which can cause profuse regurgitation:
- With pyloric stenosis, the pylorus is narrowed. For this reason, the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted. In this regard, vomiting occurs.
- In the process of developing pylorospasm, the pylorus is temporarily reduced. In this regard, the evacuation of food is delayed.
- With a diaphragmatic hernia, the lower esophagus is displaced into the chest cavity (through the diaphragm).
Symptoms and treatment of reflux in infants is a topic that worries moms. You should be aware that a similar question should be discussed with a qualified specialist, since frequent and abundant spitting up can be a sign of a completely different pathology. Without a thorough medical examination, it is impossible to assess the health status of the baby. To improve the well-being of the child, it is important to consult a pediatrician immediately. The doctor will carry out a medical examination of the patient and prescribe a comprehensive treatment that will help prevent the development of serious complications.
Diagnostics
Symptoms and treatment of reflux in infants should definitely be discussed with a pediatrician. Only a doctor is able to carry out a complete medical diagnosis of crumbs. Based on the results of the study, the specialist will prescribe appropriate therapy. With uncomplicated reflux, it is not necessary to carry out diagnostic measures, since such a process is the physiological norm of the body. If one of the signs of gastroesophageal reflux in the baby appears, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist.
In the process of a comprehensive study, the following diagnostic methods are used:
- X-ray. The specialist introduces a contrast agent into the baby's body. When barium enters the gastrointestinal tract, the doctor analyzes how the element moves along the digestive tract.
- In the process of endoscopy, a specialist assesses the general condition of the mucous membranes, reveals the presence or absence of edema. If necessary, a biopsy is performed.
- The lower esophageal sphincter is evaluated by a doctor during sphincteromanometry.
- Thanks to the pH sample, the amount and duration of reflux per day can be detected. To diagnose acid reflux in an infant, it is necessary to introduce a special sensor into the esophagus, which will measure the level of acidity.
- Diagnosis of the stomach cavity. In the process of such a study, the doctor checks the presence of a foreign body in the digestive tract, which could interfere with the advancement of food.
Based on the results of the study, the doctor prescribes a suitable treatment that will help cure gastro reflux in the baby.
The duration of the course of treatment is determined strictly by a specialist. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the patient and the severity of the pathology. With an advanced disease, treatment must be carried out in a hospital.
Therapy principle
With small and regular regurgitation, the doctor recommends:
- adjust the nutrition of the child;
- it is important to exclude cow's milk from the diet;
- protect the baby from passive smoking of cigarettes, because tobacco smoke irritates the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and provokes a strong cough;
- add a special thickener to food;
- review the diet of a nursing mother.
These simple recommendations will help improve the condition of the baby. In the event that there are symptoms of bladder reflux in the baby, it is important to consult a doctor immediately. Self-medication can provoke the development of complications.
The Basis of Proper Feeding
After contacting a doctor, the specialist not only thoroughly diagnoses the baby, but also analyzes the nutritional style. In some cases, mothers try to properly feed their child, which becomes the reason for overeating crumbs. Under such conditions, abundant regurgitation occurs.
If reflux esophagitis is detected in infants, experts recommend feeding the baby often in small volumes. If in the process of breastfeeding the baby is distracted, you need to pick up the chest. With artificial feeding, the portion must be reduced by 15 ml. Doctors recommend that mothers make abrupt movements with the baby in their arms. After feeding the baby, it is necessary to pick it up and hold it in an upright position for 20 minutes. This will help prevent profuse vomiting. It is not necessary to run or walk around the house during this time, just pick up the baby in your arms and sit with him in the chair. So the child can calmly fall asleep in your arms, taking a semi-vertical position. In frequent cases, these simple recommendations help prevent reflux.
Adjust the nutrition
Based on medical studies conducted by scientists, it can be concluded that with gastroesophageal reflux disease in children, intolerance to milk cow protein was found. For this reason, experts recommend adjusting the nutrition of the mother who is breastfeeding. It is important to exclude dairy products. Follow a diet for about 2 weeks. If during this time the baby does not feel better, then this indicates that the child’s body does not tolerate milk protein.
Good mixes
Under such conditions, it is important to choose a dairy-free mixture, which contains protein hydrolyzate. It is recommended by Nutrilac and Nutrilon Pept to feed a child up to 1 year old. It is advisable to use a thickener (strictly prescribed by the pediatrician). Quite often, doctors prescribe antireflux mixtures for babies, which help prevent the appearance of pathology. Such special foods help food stay longer in the stomach. There are several types of thickeners:
- digestible (corn, rice, potato);
- indigestible (gums).
Thanks to carob gum, it is possible to get rid of profuse regurgitation and constipation, since the substance has a laxative effect.
"Human antireflux" or "Nutrilon antireflux" should be fed to the baby to prevent spitting up.
What mixtures are prescribed by doctors for children with intestinal colic and constipation?
A mixture in which starch is present is milder in action (a positive effect is observed after a month). Such mixtures include: "Samper Lemolac", "NAS Antireflux".
What should be done if the baby eats breast milk and spits up after feeding? Under such conditions, milk must be decanted and a thickener added to it. Then start feeding the crumbs. It is not recommended to buy thickeners on your own without a doctor's prescription, since it can harm the health of the child. Be sure to change the nipples on the bottles, since the holes should be large enough to allow thick mixes to pass through. You can use nipples for cereals.
If the child is prone to allergies, it is especially important that the attending physician adjust the diet. If the baby has an inflammatory process or the mucous membrane of the esophagus is damaged, it is forbidden to use thickeners.
Pills
In the event that the baby's health does not improve after the recommendations of the pediatric doctor are followed, medication is prescribed. The duration of the course of therapy and the dose should be determined strictly by the doctor, depending on the physiological characteristics of the patient. In the course of treatment, the following drugs are often used:
- Proton pump inhibitors. With the help of Omeprazole, Pantoprazole production of hydrochloric acid is blocked. "Omeprazole" pediatricians appoint children over 2 years.
- The antacid helps neutralize hydrochloric acid. With the help of "Phosphalugel" and "Maalox" you can restore the mucous membrane of the organ.
- Using the Ranitidine and Famotidine drugs during therapy, it is possible to cure a child’s reflux.
- Thanks to prokinetics, gastric motility is enhanced. Under such conditions, the body empties faster.
You should know that profuse regurgitation is not a harmless phenomenon at all. Such a process can lead to a significant deterioration in the overall health of the crumbs, since stubborn regurgitation often leads to dehydration. Recover a similar loss in a hospital setting. Infusion solutions are administered to the baby. Given the fact that the drug can cause side effects, it is important to carry out a thorough medical diagnosis of the baby before starting therapy. The doctor will take into account all the nuances and prescribe a suitable medicine.
With kidney reflux in infants, complex therapy should be carried out. If you start the disease, then the problem can be eliminated only surgically.
Under what conditions is it necessary to call an ambulance?
In the event that the general state of health has significantly worsened and one of the symptoms of reflux disease has appeared, it is important to immediately go to the hospital in order to examine the child. The following symptoms should be cause for concern:
- rapid weight loss;
- daily regurgitation of the baby, whose age is less than 4 months (under such conditions, the baby's body does not receive enough healthy vitamins and minerals, which leads to starvation of the crumbs);
- the baby refuses to drink and eat throughout the day;
- there are bleeding in the vomit and feces;
- the baby is weak and lethargic;
- significantly increased body temperature.
If one of the symptoms is identified, it is important to consult a doctor. Treatment at home only provokes the development of complications.
Urinary tract reflux disease in a child
Diseases of the genitourinary system in children are no less common than in adults. If one of the signs of pathology appears, it is important to immediately seek help from a pediatrician. Among the main manifestations of ureteral reflux in infants, there are:
- migraine;
- the appearance of edema;
- intense thirst;
- discomfort in the lumbar region;
- high blood pressure;
- heat;
- pain in the process of emptying the bladder;
- urine color changes.
If one of the symptoms appears, it is important to diagnose. In the process of research, radiography, cystoscopy and ultrasound are performed. In addition, it is necessary to take a blood and urine test. Based on the results of the study, the doctor prescribes an effective treatment for urinary reflux in infants.
Recommendations of specialists
No need to panic if the child has burped. In frequent cases, regurgitation is a normal physiological feature of the baby's body. Only when the baby’s general health condition has significantly deteriorated (regurgitation is plentiful and systematic), is it important to immediately go to the hospital or call an ambulance. Under such conditions, irreversible health problems may occur.
It is forbidden to engage in self-medication, since the children's body is especially vulnerable to the effects of any medications. Procrastination can only provoke the development of complications and worsen the well-being of the child. It is forbidden to use any alternative methods of treatment, since various herbs and infusions can only exacerbate the problem. In the process of profuse regurgitation, the baby's body is dehydrated, which leads to the development of serious pathologies. To prevent this, it is important not to delay going to the pediatrician. The doctor will carry out a thorough diagnosis of the baby and prescribe a comprehensive treatment that will help get rid of the problem.