My ex thinks our 6-yr-old has acid reflux....?

Question

Okay, my son, for the past month, has been coughing up a storm, starting about 30 minutes after going to bed at night. Most nights, this results in him coughing so bad he gags and throws up. He's always had asthma that is triggered by changes in weather, and the weather has not been the same from one day to another.

But someone suggested to him that our son has acid reflux, and we're getting him in to see a pedi GI, but he can't be seen until after the new year.

What are some ways, if this is really acid reflux, that we could help keep it under control until after the beginning of January? Any tips, whether they refer to a change in what he eats, things we can do to ease it, or something OTC that is safe for use in 6-yr-olds would be helpful.

Thanks!

Someone suggested our son MIGHT have acid reflux... not that he does, just brought it up that he COULD.

Valar: He doesn't eat chocolate and if he lost weight, he'd disappear.

Answer 1

In his case this happens when he's in bed at about 30 minutes so one cause i can think of is if he ate something before going to bed.

If he is eating something, try to feed him 2 hours before bed. This gives time for the acid to settle down before he lays down.

If not then try to have the bed elevated a bit (put some blanket or clothes on the head part) so that his head is higher than his stomach. This will stop the acid reflux (since the acid cannot get up the esophagus).

Good luck. ^_^

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I used to have a severe case of acid reflux. And I did the EXACT same thing.

You could try a bland diet, if he will let you... nothing with any acids in it... that would mean no red sauces (tomato), pizza, orange juice, etc. If you try that for say a week, that would be a strong indication that your friend is right.

If it happens at night, elevate the HEAD of his bed. I think I had to elevate mine 2 inches. I literally had bricks elevating my bed. DO NOT just add pillows... it's not just a "head" elevation. It's putting the body at an angle to help keep that acid going in a downward direction.

The reason it might happen at night has to do with the fact that he is lying down... so if the acid comes up, the fact that he is not upright kinda helps it along.

If you are not familiar with how it works, it's kinda like a loose lid... Instead of staying closed... it's letting acid come back up.

As for medications, ask a pharmacist about antacids that are safe for kids. I'd think Tums, but I am not sure.

I took Nexium for about 2 years and it actually DID help. I haven't had quite as severe of a problem ever since I took it. But i don't know if there is a kid's version.

Answer 4

His symptoms don't sound at all like acid reflux - it sounds like post-nasal drip resulting from allergies or a chronic sinus infection. Children's Claritin, Sudafed Children's tablets or syrup, and Mucinex mini-melts. If his problems are allergy related, these three meds should help.

To reduce the chance of acid reflux, the most important thing is to allow at least 2 1/2 hours after a meal before going to bed, and minimize fatty foods, chocolate, onions, tomatoes, and fried foods. Zantac is suitable for children.

Answer 5

Asthma is frequently caused by GERD, so it is definitely possible.

Here are some lifestyle modification suggestions:
Elevate the head of the bed.
Weight loss.
Avoid reflux-causing food (eg chocolate)
Avoid lying down after eating.
Promote salivation by chewing gum after eating.

Prilosec is well tolerated in children, but we don't know the long-term effects. Antacids can also be used short-term.

Answer 6

Acid reflux other wise known as GERD . Well does not sound to me like that is what he has sign and symptoms of GERD in a young child is: projectile vomiting, blood in vomit, pain after eating so is he fussy when he is done eating? does he spit up alot of his foods? does he seem to be uncomfortable when he is sitting up? GERD is when the cardiac sphincter does not close all the way and the stomach contents come back up which are very acidity at times. Acidic vomit and mucous would cause bleeding, pain that is why he would not be comfortable sitting up pressing weight on his abdominal area (stomach) Sounds like respiratory to me people that have asthma are more prone to upper respiratory infections like Croup, bronchitis does his cough sound like a dog barking that is croup which is very serious and needs to be treated. Try turning on the shower very hot get the bath room all steamed up when he is coughing and go in there sit with him in the bathroom the hot steam will help his cough. Not in the shower but the room . Get humidifiers keep the air moist. Becarful when he is sleeping if he coughs up alot of mucous/phlegm or vomits that he does not aspirate on it which means kinda like choking but breaths it into his lungs which could cause pneumonia try positioning him with plenty of pillows to keep him in a more upright position or side lying . If you give him a cough suppressant then give it too him at least an hour before he goes to bed if that is when he coughs up the most so he does not vomit it back up. Call the Dr. go to a different one if he cough continues much longer. Make sure before giving any medications that it is ok to give with his asthma meds ask pharmacist or read label

Answer 7

Does he have heartburn? When my sister was little, she had acid reflux and she had heartburn really bad. She still does. She takes Mylanta. Yes, some foods make it worse, like really acidy foods.

Answer 8

or it could be whooping cough even if he's been innoculated there's still a chance of catching it. Thats a long time to have a cough, take him to a regular GP and get a diagnosis.

Answer 9

How about the emergency room?