If you suspect your teen is suffering from acid reflux, it is important that he or she sees a doctor. Your teen's doctor will be able to determine if a diagnosis of GERD is appropriate, and all other disorders with similar symptoms have been excluded.
GERD is becoming an increasing problem in teenagers, due in part, perhaps, to an increase in the consumption of fast food and ever-expanding waistlines. The severity of their GERD symptoms will determine their treatment. Your teenager's doctor will most likely suggest one or more lifestyle modifications first, before considering any medications.
GERD is becoming an increasing problem in teenagers, due in part, perhaps, to an increase in the consumption of fast food and ever-expanding waistlines. The severity of their GERD symptoms will determine their treatment. Your teenager's doctor will most likely suggest one or more lifestyle modifications first, before considering any medications.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: N/A
Here's How:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
Large meals expand the stomach and can increase upward pressure against the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). - Avoid acid-stimulating foods and beverages
These foods include:- Citrus fruits
- Citrus juices
- Chocolate
- Peppermint
- Tomatoes and tomato-based products
- Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee
- Carbonated beverages, such as colas
- Wait, after eating, at least two or three hours before bedtime
Gravity helps keep the stomach juices from backing up in to the esophagus and assists the flow of food and digestive juices from the stomach to the intestines. - Elevate your teen's head while he sleeps
Lying down flat presses the stomach's contents against the LES. With the head higher than the stomach, gravity helps reduce this pressure. Ask your teen's doctor how high to elevate the head. The doctor may suggest using a wedge pillow to elevate your teen's head while sleeping. - Wear loose-fitting clothes around the waist and stomach
Clothing that fits tightly around the abdomen will squeeze the stomach, forcing food up against the LES and causing food to reflux in to the esophagus. Clothing that can cause problems, include tight-fitting belts, tight-waisted jeans and slenderizing garments. - Keep a heartburn record
You can have your teen record when he experiences heartburn symptoms, what foods were consumed or what activity he was doing before the heartburn occurred. The severity of each heartburn episode and what gave him relief should also be noted. Take this information to your teen's doctor, so you can both determine if any other modifications need to be made to diet, activity or medications. To get you started, you can use this heartburn record. - Take Antacids:
Antacids neutralize stomach acid. A doctor may recommend the occasional use of antacids. - Try Acid Blockers:
Acid blockers, also known as H2 blockers, block acid production in the stomach. Your teen's doctor many prescribe a H2 blocker if lifestyle modifications don't sufficiently prevent symptoms. H2 blockers include Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac and Axid. - Try Acid Suppressors:
Acid suppressors, also known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), completely block acid production in the stomach. Your teen's doctor may prescribe a PPI if lifestyle modifications or other medications do not sufficiently control reflux symptoms. PPIs include Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, Aciphex and Protonix.
Tips:
- Learn the symptoms of acid reflux in teens.
- Learn how acid reflux is diagnosed in teens.
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Sources:
"Gastroesophageal Reflux in Children and Adolescents." NIH Publication No. 06–5418 August 2006. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). 29 Dec 2008.
"Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)." NIH Publication No. 07–0882 May 2007. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). 18 Mar 2008.
Marsha Kay, M.D., Vasundhara Tolia, M.D.. "COMMON GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS." American College of Gastroenterology. 18 Mar 2008.
