Reflux

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or acid reflux are chronic symptoms or damage to the mucous membrane caused by stomach acid coming up from the stomach into the oesophagus. GORD may be difficult to detect in infants and children, it may cause repeated vomiting, effortless spitting up, coughing, and other respiratory problems. Inconsolable crying, failure to gain adequate weight, refusing food, bad breath, and belching or burping are also common. Children may have one symptom or many — no single symptom is universal in all children with GORD. Babies with persistent reflux may have weight gain issues. Many doctors advise that babies outgrow reflux once they can sit up, or once they stand. Many do, but some will not only fail to outgrow it, but will noticeably worsen with developmental milestones, teething episodes, viral illness and weaning. GORD may be a secondary manifestation of other conditions such as a food allergy.