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If you’ve ever been around an infant, you know how common it is for them to “spit up.” This is called gastroesophageal reflux (GER).

If spitting up is repetitive or causing other symptoms like discomfort, weight loss or difficulty with feeding, they may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which involves the contents of the stomach, including acid, flowing backward into the esophagus.

Why Children Often Outgrow It

Most infants outgrow GERD by the age of one, and fewer than 5% continue to have GERD symptoms when they become toddlers.

This is because their digestive systems mature. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach, strengthens and becomes more effective at preventing acid from backing up. Also, as infants transition to solid foods and spend more time upright, their digestive process improves.

GERD in Adulthood: A Different Ballgame

For adults, GERD often develops from a combination of factors and will not go away on its own. These can include:

• Weakened or dysfunctional LES. The muscle itself may not work as effectively to prevent acid from backing up into the esophagus.
• Hiatal hernia. The upper part of the stomach bulges through the diaphragm, interfering with your LES’s ability to function properly.
• Obesity. Excess weight can put pressure on your belly, forcing stomach acid upward.
• Delayed stomach emptying (gastroparesis). If food stays in the stomach longer, there is higher risk for acid reflux.
• Dietary triggers. Certain foods and drinks like fried fatty foods, caffeinated or carbonated drinks, and alcoholic beverages can worsen symptoms.
• Lifestyle factors. Smoking and lying down soon after eating can contribute to reflux.

Living Well With Adult GERD

While you won’t “outgrow” GERD in the same way that a child might, the good news is that there are treatments that can help you manage it:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Antacids, histamine (H2) blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are products that you can buy without a prescription. In a nutshell, antacids neutralize your stomach acid, H2 blockers reduce your acid production and PPIs suppress your acid production.
• Prescription medications. If OTC options aren’t helping, your physician may prescribe stronger PPIs or other medications. Your physician may also recommend a combination of OTC and prescription medications, depending on your condition.
• Lifestyle modifications. You can do a lot within your daily routine to help, including:
• Quit or don’t start smoking.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Elevate the head of your bed by 6 to 8 inches.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing that puts pressure around your waist.
• Don’t eat after 6 pm.
• Dietary changes. Maintain a healthy weight and identify and avoid foods that may make your symptoms worse. Try eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones, and avoid lying down after eating.
• Surgery. If medications, diet and lifestyle changes aren’t effective or you have complications, your physician may recommend surgery. According to Anthony F. Altimari, MD, a general surgeon at Northwestern Medicine, the two common procedures for GERD are fundoplication and LINX®. Both can be performed laparoscopically (a minimally invasive surgical technique).

While the childhood experience of outgrowing reflux isn’t the typical path for adults with established GERD, it doesn’t mean that you’re destined to have heartburn, bloating or other GERD symptoms forever. With the right strategies and guidance from your care team, you can manage GERD symptoms and improve the quality of your life at any age.