Acid reflux in a 6-yr-old?

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.

Answer 1

to temporarily help with him burping at night you can take his bed and prop it up (head part only) on some books or something, so his head is higher than his stomach.
But a bigger problem could be that he may be suffering from Gluten Intolerance. it is common for gluten sufferers to vomit at night. I would check on the Internet under Gluten Intolerance/allergy or Celiac Disease. There are other symptoms that can or can not be happening also. But my son has it and this is one of his symptoms. A GOOD GI doctor can help you look for symptoms, but in the United States this disease/intolerance is still misunderstood and many doctors do not understand this disease yet and they think that everyone has to have the same symptoms. the symptoms can be as vast as an individual. It took us 13 years to get help, but in the last 4 years it has become a lot better. Investigate the Internet and know your stuff when you go in, if your son is displaying any other symptoms. Even depression, hard muscles, a low grade fever, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of weight or in my sons case, not being able to loose weight even when he vomited 6 times a day for a week straight. Anything that you son has that is not normal or is having a lot of problems with physically or mentally. Gluten Free made a 100% ddifference in ALL of my sons symptoms.
just check it out.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

If he drinks juice that has a lot of acid in it like orange juice or cranberry, water it down slightly, avoid things that are sugary, or spicy. Take a tums and crush it up then mix it with about a 1/4 cup of water and have him drink it before bed. My daughter had acid reflux as a newborn, and until a doctor would diagnose her I would do the tums thing and it does work but it's not a permanent fix. You may want to make some up incase he gets up at night with it. Lots of luck hun!

Answer 4

my husband has had acid reflux for the last 9 years, he does take nexium, but if he is away from home and misses his pill, he will stay away from spicy foods or soda in the evening, also raise the head of the bed a few inches, we put a brick under the frame, this help the acid to stay in the stomach, also milk will help a small glass before bed.

Answer 5

My daughter has GERD, which is pretty much the same thing as acid reflux. She has been taking the org. pepcid. Once in the morning and once before bed. She's only 19 months

Answer 6

Reflux Precautions:
-No tight pants (jeans or the like)
-no spicy foods
-no tomato products (we LIMIT tomato products)
- no caffiene
- no chocolate
- head above butt when sleeping. either up on pillows, in recliner chair, or evelate head of bed
- stay upright 30 minutes after eating
- milk with meals
-Mylanta Supreme as needed for breakthrough heartburn

Answer 7

seems like he's fine til he lays down to sleep. can he sleep sitting up or at an angle? like in a recliner. stay away from acidic food and drink, no soda, that kind of thing. hope it's something simple.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

you should find out if he is diagnosed with any other respiratory illnesses too