Reflux Lingo

Doctors and parents talk in a kind of short hand that is common in the world of medicine. No wonder-Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) is long, hard to pronounce and scary sounding. By the way, it is pronounced gas-tro-e-sof-a gee-l re-fluks. I prefer Acid Reflux or just plain old “reflux”.

Many people use the term GERD, short for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. In reality, most babies have GER. GERD refers to a more serious condition where there is actual damage to the food pipe or esophagus.

I call my kids with reflux “refluxers” or “gerdlings”. I have even heard someone use “gerdolescent” to describe their teen with reflux. I am not sure where all of these terms originated but they seem friendlier and less medical sounding to me.

I have really over used the term reflux mom...my kid’s call me mum from reading too many Harry Potter books so I guess I am the reflux mum. I know it isn’t politically correct to identify myself by my kid’s medical condition. However, all reflux moms need to stand and be counted. We need to hang together for support and perhaps gain some recognition for the hard work of parenting we endure day in and day out.