Diet Nutrition and Lifestyle forr Teens

If you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), changes in lifestyle and eating habits may help your symptoms. Try the following:

* Eat smaller meals more often
* Limit foods that are spicy or contain lots of acid (pickles, tomatoes, citrus).
* Tried chewing gum.
* Drink lots of water when symptoms arise.
* Avoid drinking alcohol
* Avoid cigarettes and all types of tobacco smoke.
* Avoid carbonated drinks, chocolate, caffeine, and foods that are high in fat (For example, pizza and french fries).
* Elevate the head of the bed with books or bricks about 30 degrees during sleep.
* Avoid tight waistbands.
* Lose weight
* Avoid eating or drinking 2-3 hours before bedtime.
* Avoid eating large meals before periods of heavy or stressful activities

Signs and Symptoms and Diagnosis for Teens

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) occurs when stomach contents go up into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach), during or after a meal. In some children, the stomach contents go up the mouth (regurgitation) and are swallowed again. Other symptoms include hoarseness, recurrent pneumonia, cough, wheezing and difficulty or painful swallowing.

The doctor or nurse can talk with you about your child’s symptoms, do a physical examination and recommend tests to determine if reflux is the cause of symptoms. These tests check the esophagus, stomach and small intestine to see if there are any problems. However, treatment is sometimes started without the need for any tests. Common tests are:

* Barium (a chalky drink) is swallowed and X-rays show the shape of the esophagus and stomach. This test can find a hiatal hernia, blockage and other problems.
* Endoscopy: After the patient is given a sedative medication so they are asleep, a small flexible tube with a very tiny camera is inserted through the mouth and down into the esophagus and stomach. The lining of the esophagus, stomach and part of the small intestine can be examined and biopsies (small pieces of the lining) can be painlessly obtained. The biopsies can later be examined with a microscope, looking for inflammation and other problems
* Esophageal pH Probe: A thin light wire with an acid sensor at its tip is inserted through the nose into the lower part of the esophagus. The probe can detect the amount of stomach acid coming up into the esophagus and can tell if there acid in the esophagus.

Worrisome Symptoms of Reflux Disease in Children

(2 - 12 Years Old) (Symptoms experienced by your child.)
1. Repeated vomiting associated with
Blood
Green or yellow fluid
Weight loss or poor weight gain

2. Frequent sensation of food or liquid coming up into the back of the throat or mouth

3. Frequent discomfort in the stomach or chest

4. Swallowing problems
* Discomfort with the act of swallowing
* Pain with swallowing
* Sensation that food gets stuck on the way down

5. Breathing Problems
* Wheezing
* Chronic cough or recurrent pneumonia
* Hoarseness
* Asthma

If you have concerns, speak to your healthcare provider.