Information Provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
How can diet help prevent or relieve GER or GERD in children and teens?
You can help a child or teen prevent or relieve their symptoms from gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by changing their diet. He or she may need to avoid certain foods and drinks that make his or her symptoms worse. Other dietary changes that can help reduce the child or teen’s symptoms include:
- Decreasing fatty foods
- Eating small, frequent meals instead of three large meals
What should a child or teen with GERD avoid eating or drinking?
He or she should avoid eating or drinking the following items that may make GER or GERD worse:
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Peppermint
- Greasy or Spicy Foods
- Tomatoes and Tomato Products
What can a child or teen eat if they have GERD?
Eating healthy and balanced amounts of different types of food is good for your child or teen’s overall health. If your child or teen is overweight or obese, talk with a doctor or dietitian about dietary changes that can help with losing weight and decreasing GERD symptoms. For more information about eating a balanced diet, visit www.ChooseMyPlate.gov.
Clinical Trials for GER and GERD Children and Teens
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support basic and clinical research into many digestive disorders.
What are clinical trials, and what role do children play in research?
Clinical trials are research studies involving people of all ages. Clinical trials look at safe and effective new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving quality of life. Research involving children helps scientists:
- Identify care that is best for a child
- Find the best dose of medicines
- Find treatments for conditions that only affect children
- Treat conditions that behave differently in children
- Understand how treatment affects a growing child’s body
This concludes our series on GER and GERD. For more information, please visit www.niddk.nig.gov.
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