Pediatric GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Symptoms, Complications & Treatments

What it is:GERD is a condition where stomach acids come back up into the esophagus (the long muscular tube connecting the back of the throat with the stomach).Symptoms:Heartburn - that burning sensation that you feel from the stomach up into your chest area.Acid Regurgitation - you spit up stomach acid, pepsin (an enzyme) and possibly some bile (yuck - bitter and sour tasting)GERD Info:Men, women and children can all experience GERD. It is usually chronic (long lasting - lifetime). Can cause esophagitis (injury to the lining of the esophagus). Esophagitis can be treated with medications but will likely return as long as the patient continues to experience the backing up of stomach acid, pepsin and bile into the esophagus.Although normal people who do not have GERD experience acid reflux from time to time when they overeat or are upset. The difference is that those with GERD have more acid in the liquid that regurgitates and they experience the reflux more oftenPersonal Experience:My second daughter had Pediatric GERD as a baby and young child. She eventually outgrew the symptoms around age 7. This is possible in pediatric cases due to the fact that their bodies are still growing and maturing. Her pediatrician prescribed a red liquid to give her. She experienced the heartburn most often, after meals and during times of stress, like when I gave her a bath (she hated bath time). She would often throw up bile into her bathwater. We spent many a night walking the floor with her held securely against my chest in an upright position.