Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is different than gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and should be treated differently, says a new study published in the journal Pediatrics.
GER is manifested in the spitting up of the stomach's contents and in hiccups, coughing, irritability and vomiting.
"Having an infant who regurgitates regularly, regardless of whether they might have some worrisome symptoms such as coughing, choking or irritability to go along with it, can pose concern and a lot of hurdles for families until the child grows out of the problem," David Gremse, co-author of the study, told USA Today.
Most babies, added Gremse, outgrow GER after a year or so, and labeling it GERD may lead to dangerous and unnecessary treatments for babies.
For both treatments, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends lifestyle changes—modifying maternal diets in breastfeeding mothers or avoiding spicy foods in older children—before moving onto more intensive treatments.
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