Reflux: How to Help Naturally

Reflux: How to Help Naturally.Arching his back while screaming, spitting up when eating, not sleeping, these are all signs of reflux in an infant.  While some choose to overlook these symptoms, others want to know more, to understand what their baby is suffering from, and more importantly, to help.Over 50% of infants suffer from reflux.Doctors will typically ask parents to cope with their unhappy child for a few months until their reflux dissipates.  If the parent is persistent or the child shows poor signs of poor growth, a doctor may perform one of the following tests:

• Ultrasound: detecting an obstruction in the opening between the stomach and small intestine
• Blood Work: to rule out or identify any possible causes of recurring vomiting
• Esophageal pH Monitoring: measuring the acidity in the esophagus by inserting a tube through the nose
• Upper Endoscopy: using a tube with a camera lens inserted through the mouth, the doctor will see into the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine. Samples of tissue may be taken for study. This procedure is done under general anesthesia.

Less invasive doctors will first suggest that a breastfeeding mother remove dairy from her diet.  A formula fed infant will be given a list of different formulas to try.  If the reflux continues, medication will naturally be recommended.  H2 Histamine Blockers such as Zantac or Pepsid are prescribed, followed by stronger medications such as Prevacid or Prilosec (proton pump inhibitors).  As all medications do, these have a laundry list of side effects from dizziness to vomiting.  There have been no studies conducted on children and dosages of zantac.There are other ways.  Natural ways.  Ways to help your crying, pained child.  Let’s discuss reflux.Did you know that reflux is actually the symptom of TOO LITTLE stomach acid?  This can be traced back to pregnancy and mom’s morning sickness and heartburn.  These ailments can be passed to baby in-utero.  As we get older, our acid drops and there is an increase in GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).The medications given are actually making the problem worse by suppressing the acid.  The absent acid is hydrochloric acid (HCL), and when low, an organism called Helicobacter pylori or H. Pylori causes a low grade inflammation of the lining of the stomach, and over time the body’s response is to want to get rid of it.  This is reflux.Make sure to wean from any medications gradually, as the body will rebound and worsen the reflux if you quit cold turkey.Behind ear infections, reflux is a close second as to why parents visit the office.  After learning more about the child, mother, pregnancy, diet, supplements, and medication usage, we will discuss and plan dietary changes and a supplement plan.  If breastfeeding and keeping the baby’s gut “pure,” the plan will be only for the mother.  But infants can be supplemented as well as the mother. If not breastfeeding, infant should be supplemented.

• Vitamin D: More than likely, the mother is deficient in Vitamin D.  Without knowing your vitamin D levels, you can follow recommended doses of a liquid vitamin D; however, testing to know your levels is most beneficial.  (I usually recommend Xymogen brand.)  If you are not as concerned with keeping your child’s gut “virgin,” then you can supplement your child with recommended dosage.
• Probiotics: (AMAZING) They help heal the gut and boost immunity. Did you know 85% of your immunity comes from your gut? You want a probiotic with a minimum of 7-10 strain.  You just don’t want to take acidophilus. (We recommend Davinci Mega Probiotic davincilabs.com )  Taking care of the gut, yours and your infant’s will boost your immunity and help with a healthy life. Please follow the label for dosage.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3337124/ and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166766/

• Digestive Enzymes: Mom can incorporate these alongside the probiotics to help break down fats, proteins, carbohydrates and milk sugars. Our foods today are not broken down like they once were due to over-processing.
• Limit/Eliminate Dairy, Gluten, Caffeine, Alcohol: Dairy can produce histamines, which cause irritation to the lining of the gut and causes a decrease in the production of acid. Gluten also irritates the gut.  Stick with organic as far as your budget allows.  Look for no antibiotic use, no hormone, and free range with meat and dairy.
• Water: Stay well hydrated for breastmilk supply.
• Unrefined Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt: These salts help produce HCL(hydrochloric acid) in the stomach, fighting off parasites and aiding in digestion.
• Complex Minerals: The body needs an average of 80 essential minerals a day, but the typical person gets 10-15. Also, a diet high in meat and processed foods can demineralize the body; and a diet low in salt will make the body deficient in nutrients. (Schroeder, HA. Losses of vitamins and trace minerals resulting from processing and preservation of foods.  The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 24: MAY 1971, pp. 562-573.) We recommend Youngevity’s Cheri minerals   http://youngevity.com/
• Aloe Juice: Aloe coats the lining of the gut to allow healing from the repeated acidity that has irritated the lining, therefore allowing nutrients to be absorbed. Mom should consume in the morning on empty stomach and before night time on an empty stomach for 4-6 weeks or until the reflux has resolved.  Aloe juice can be given directly to the baby, morning and evening.
• Inclined Sleep: place a wedge or small pillow under the mattress of child’s bed/crib to prop her up at a slight   This keeps the body in proper alignment for digestion.

 Reflux in Toddlers:Along with supplementing a toddler, helping to close the cardiac sphincter, the valve that allows everything in and out of the stomach, will help control the reflux.  This can be done by laying the child down after eating and feeling under the breast bone and sternum (small knob) for a pocket of tissue, no bone.  That is the sphincter.  Depending on if the child is infant or older, you may use 1 or 2 fingers, pressing down about ¼ to ½ inch and then aiming your hand toward the feet (almost like a scooping motion) using sustained pressure for 20-30 seconds after every feeding.Chiropractic Care for Reflux:Misalignments in the upper neck due to childbirth or not being positioned correctly in the womb can be a cause of reflux.  Parents tend to place baby in a swing or seat inclined to aid in reflux relief.  This then causes the legs to be elevated and the spine to flex and curve forward, putting added stress on the infant’s body that shouldn’t be there. This causes tight and spasming muscles. The chiropractic adjustments will help to calm the muscles down and align the spine, allowing for the body to function more effectively.