According to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, heartburn is not just something that occurs in adults, it can also occur in children. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that heartburn causes a burning sensation in your chest and throat. You child may also have symptoms such as a chronic cough or difficulty swallowing. Over the counter and prescribed medications and even certain lifestyle changes can help to treat the condition. If you believe your child is suffering from heartburn you should always consult your physician before trying to treat the condition yourself.
Causes
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), heartburn is the main symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Langone Medical Center reports that gastroesophageal reflux causes food from the stomach to back up into the esophagus. Some common foods can also cause heartburn to occur. The NDDIC reports that citrus fruits, chocolate, caffeinated drinks, fatty or fried foods and foods with mint flavoring can all cause heartburn to occur. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that some children with certain diseases such as neurological impairments, food allergies, scoliosis, cyclic vomiting, cystic fibrosis or problems with their digestive tract or ear, nose and throat can develop GERD which can lead to chronic heartburn.
Prevention
To help prevent your child from developing heartburn you should encourage your child to eat slowly and stop eating when they are full. Langone Medical Center even suggests having your child eat small meals that are more frequent and not eating two or three hours before bed. You can also raise the head of your child’s bed to help with acid reflux at night, which can cause heartburn. Langone Medical Center even recommends instructing your child to sleep on their left side, which can also reduce acid reflux. You may want to consider implementing some lifestyle changes to prevent heartburn in your child. Langone Medical Center reports that keeping a food diary is helpful to prevent heartburn. You can record the symptoms your child is experiencing and what he/she has recently eaten can help you determine the cause of the heartburn.
Identification
Your child’s physician is the only one that can diagnose heartburn. Langone Medical Center reports that your physician may want to perform tests such as upper GI series, upper endoscopy or 24 hour pH monitoring.
Treatment
Lifestyle changes can help you treat heartburn in your child. However, if the symptoms continue, your physician may prescribe medications. Langone Medical Center reports that your physician may recommend histamine-2 receptor drugs such as Tagamet, Pepcid or Zantac, which will help to reduce acid production. You may also choose to purchase over the counter antacids such as Maalox or Tums. Langone Medical Center also reports that your physician may also want to prescribe promotility drugs to help slow stomach emptying or proton pump inhibitors, which can help to heal the lining of the esophagus.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Heartburn: Not Just for Adults – Kids Get It Too
The University of Maryland Medical Center; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Heartburn – Symptoms
Langone Medical Center; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease – Child
Nationtional Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Kristie Jernigan - Kristie Janeway Jernigan has worked in the health care arena for over 20 years. She has a Masters degree in Health Administration and is ...
