Metoclopromide and cisapride are two medicines which have shown good results. Both of them improve the emptying of stomach and tighten up the sphincter. The symptoms of oesophagitis like burning chest pain responds well to antacids and other medicines used to treat peptic ulcer. Failure of medical treatment after a six-week trial and presence of complications like recurrent apnoea, recurrent chest infections or a stricture formation are indications for surgery. Fundoplication is the technical name of the operation performed and it tightens up the gastro-oesophageal junction by wrapping a part of stomach around the lower end of esophagus.
Older children are more likely have chronic complaints.
The commonness of its occurrence and likelihood of serious complications make GER an important health issue and its awareness is must for today's parents. Dr Mandar is a Sharjah-based paediatrician who writes regularly on music, movies and medicine.