Esophageal reflux disease (reflux)

The rejection or removal of stomach contents is a sign of esophageal reflux disease.

The most prevalent symptoms of the disease are heartburn and feeling behind the breastbone.

We differentiate two types of esophageal reflux disease: gastro-peritoneal and laryngeal.

Notably, the disease can affect both men and women, as well as infants.

What are the signs of infant gastric reflux?

Reflux in newborns is a critical issue since the signs of the condition are sometimes confused with regurgitation of food. When the contents of the child’s stomach return to the oral cavity, such symptoms as:

• vomiting;

• respiratory infections;

• feeding and sleeping problems;

• weight growth problems;

can occure. What matters is that the regurgitation of food may not exist, and the only signs will be weeping, body straining, and bowing of the baby’s head when feeding. Sandifera syndrome is a motor dysfunction condition that arises in infants as a defensive reaction in response to the irritating effects of stomach material. The treatment involves modifying the way the baby is fed. Maintaining an upright position during feeding is critical for both the baby and the mother. When feeding modified milk to a newborn baby, it should be given in a slightly denser form. Pharmacological drugs may be required in the treatment of gastric reflux in newborns at times.

What are the signs of laryngeal reflux?

The illness might manifest as laryngeal reflux, which is particularly common in pregnant women. The symptoms are comparable to the gastrointestinal variety. Typically, it is heartburn and a feeling of reflux, but the stomach material rises and can be hurled into the mouth, middle ear, or sinuses. This can result in reflux laryngitis as well as other illnesses like asthma or a dry cough.

Laryngeal reflux symptoms include not only heartburn but also an unpleasant odor from the mouth, snoring, and a feeling of esophageal obstruction. In addition, otitis media, reflux cough, and recurrent colds can arise. Typically, pharmaceutical medications or dietary changes are used in treatment.

What should you know about gastro-peritoneal reflux?

Gastro-peritoneal reflux may be caused by a natural process of esophageal sphincter muscle relaxation. It is an illness, and one of its most prevalent symptoms is heartburn. It can also occur in infants, therefore it is crucial to understand the most significant information about it, including the risk factors, such as obesity, pregnancy, and using certain drugs. Weight growth increases the volume of the stomach and consequently the amount of material discharged into the esophagus. In turn, gastro-peritoneal or laryngeal reflux in pregnant women is connected with the fact that as the child’s weight increases, it also raises the pressure in the woman’s abdominal cavity. This results in the aforementioned heartburn and stomach contents withdrawal.

Is it possible to treat gastro-peritoneal and laryngeal reflux?

In cases of disease symptoms, a particular diet is indicated to eliminate heartburn, reflux, laryngitis, or esophagitis. You should avoid greasy, sour, and spicy foods and consume 4-5 small meals throughout the day. If symptoms are noticed in infants, it is recommended that the feeding posture be changed and that more dense milk be given. It may also be beneficial to change the baby’s position during sleep so that the head is a little higher than the rest of the body. In other circumstances, the inclined position is improper and requires careful attention and consultation with a specialist.

Important details about reflux treatment

In some circumstances, pharmaceutical therapy is required for disease treatment. In this situation, medications that limit the secretion of gastric juice are used to reduce the chance of developing reflux gastro-peritoneal or laryngeal. If pharmacological and conservative treatments do not produce the desired effects, surgery may be required.