Colic and acid reflux are distinct conditions that sometimes occur in an infant's first months of life. While the symptoms for colic are relatively vague, acid reflux symptoms typically involve the regurgitation, or reflux, of stomach contents back up into the esophagus. With a little information, you can learn to tell the difference between these two ailments.
Colic
The main symptom of colic is crying that occurs at least three days a week for more than three hours a day over a period of three months, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP. While crying, your baby may curl up his legs, clench his fists or turn bright red. Although bouts of crying associated with colic can occur at any time, they most typically occur in the latter part of the day. In some cases, your baby can swallow substantial amounts of air while crying, leading to further discomfort from gas buildup.
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux, sometimes called gastroesophageal reflux, occurs when the muscular sphincter at the lower end of your child's esophagus fails to stop partially digested stomach contents from passing back through his esophagus and into his mouth. Potential symptoms of reflux include painful vomiting, painless spitting up, irritability, coughing, bloody stools and poor feeding. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse explains that in a small number of cases, babies may develop more serious reflux symptoms. These can include breathing problems, refusal to feed, poor growth from lack of sufficient nutrition and bleeding caused by acid burns in the esophagus.
Colic Duration
Colic typically arises within a few weeks of your child's birth and disappears on its own within roughly two or three months. In some cases, however, your child may experience symptoms for a longer period of time. If symptoms of colic continue after your child reaches three months of age, the AAFP explains, he may actually have reflux.
Reflux Duration
More than 50 percent of babies experience some amount of reflux during their first three months, the NDDIC notes. Typically, the symptoms associated with the condition disappear by age 2. The Mayo Clinic recommends consulting your doctor if your child spits up forcefully, spits up green or brown fluid or spits up more than two tablespoons of liquid at once. You should also consult a doctor if your child does not gain weight, does not want to eat, appears lethargic or has diarrhea, difficulty breathing or a fever.
Treatments
The AAFP lists potential methods of easing your child's colic that include frequent burping, holding your child upright during feedings, giving your child a pacifier or a warm bath and adopting a blander diet if you breastfeed. Your child may need medication to treat serious reflux, the NDDIC notes. Potential medication options include H-2 blockers such as famotidine and cimetidine and proton-pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole and esomeprazole. Consult your doctor for more treatment options for both colic and acid reflux.
