Acid Reflux in Children: Know the Symptoms

At first I thought it was the flu. My seven year old son started vomiting in the middle of the night. He complained of stomach pain and vomited several times within a few hours. However, he did not have a fever and was fine when he had to go to school. I convinced myself that it must have been something he ate.

The following month, the same thing happened. After lying down for the night, he began to vomit. He complained of a stomach ache. But it was fine the next morning. Once he was done throwing up, he was absolutely fine. I kept thinking that it was something that did not suit him.

However, vomiting began to occur more frequently. He also began to complain of stomach pain more frequently. The vomiting occurred at least once a week and always at night. He would miss school and he would look very pale. But the strange thing was, as soon as they stopped vomiting, their color would return and they would be running and playing. It didn’t make sense to me. How could he go from being so weak and sick to jumping on the trampoline an hour later?

I tried to find a probable cause by doing research online. I looked for the symptoms I was having, but did not get any definitive results. In the city I live in, we are not known for having very reliable doctors. In my experience, you have to have an idea of ​​what is happening to you before you even walk into the doctor’s office. I was trying to get some idea of ​​what he had to say when we entered. He was terrified that he had a tumor growing inside him. I was very scared, but I made an appointment to see her pediatrician the same day I called.

If you’ve ever taken a child to the doctor when they’re sick, you know that something magical happens when you walk into that office. Somehow all his symptoms go away. They are smiling, laughing, they have energy to burn and it seems that they have nothing to do in the sick clinic. So was my son that day. I always imagine that the doctor doubts everything I say when I explain his symptoms. Looking at his smiling face, it’s hard to believe that he was throwing up his heart just hours ago.

After a quick look, the doctor, (No, wait. He wasn’t a doctor. He was a medical assistant. We hardly ever see a real doctor in this city). Then the medical assistant declares that he has acid reflux. The idea seemed ridiculous to me. Acid reflux? In a seven-year-old? The diagnosis seemed too simple, I was afraid he was wrong and insisted that we run tests to rule out something more serious. This is my baby. My little. I do not take risks.

So my poor Dillon endured blood tests, X-rays, and even an upper GI tract. I was afraid it would have to go through an upper GI tract. In my mind, I imagined they would have to put him to sleep and push tubes down his throat. However, that was not what they did at all. Aside from having to drink barium, the procedure was very straightforward. But barium … you wouldn’t wish that on your worst enemy.

On Upper GI day, I dropped him out of school. Seeing her tiny little body in a hospital gown almost made me cry. Watching him try to be strong and trying not to show the nurse and doctor how scared he was also made my eyes tear up. This is the same kid who can’t stand the taste of liquid Tylenol, and here he is with a cup full of barium in hand. He was shaking, but smiling. The Doctor explained what they would do and convinced him to drink the horrible-smelling barium. The barium would light up inside your body so the doctor could see what happened to the barium once it was inside.

When Dillon stood in front of an X-ray, he drank the barium. I watched from behind the Doctor what was happening and could see a screen showing an X-ray view of his body. I could see the barium enter her mouth, travel down her throat, and into parts of the body that I couldn’t identify. It was amazing technology. As Dillon slowly drank the barium, the doctor took pictures from a computer. I was told that these images will help identify any conditions you may have, such as an ulcer, tumor, hernia, scars, blockages, or anything abnormal within the gastrointestinal tissue.

After the standing photographs were completed, Dillon had to lie down on a different table while more X-rays were taken from above. Again, I was able to see the images on the screen. It was amazing to see the liquid move from one place to another. The Doctor made Dillon roll on the table several times. Poor Dillon kept pacing even after the doctor left the room momentarily! No one had bothered to tell him to stop. We laughed quickly at that.

Once they finished getting X-ray images from all angles, he had to cross the hall to receive X-ray photos regularly. All he could think about was the radiation he was exposed to. They gave me a heavy apron to protect me from radiation. The X-ray technician, doctor, and nurses also used one. But my little one, who weighed only 62 pounds, was exposed the entire time.

I was very relieved to learn that Dillon does not have a tumor, no ulcer, or any ailment other than acid reflux. I said a prayer of thanks after hearing that, because I know that not all children (and parents) are lucky enough to receive good news like that, and I was so relieved and grateful.

We were lucky. Dillon was prescribed Prevacid Solu-Tabs. These are strawberry-flavored lozenges that dissolve inside the mouth. Dillon is too young to swallow pills, so luckily this option was available. I am very happy to say that since taking his medication, Dillon has not had a single episode of vomiting or stomach pain.

If you think your child may be suffering from acid reflux, you may want to look for these symptoms. These are the symptoms listed in “About:”

• Abdominal pain above the navel

• Chest pain

• Burning sensation in the esophagus.

• Extreme demands on food or refusing food

• Eat only a few cocks despite hunger

• Nausea or choking

• Little weight gain or weight loss.

• Bad breath

• Constantly runny nose

• Frequent sore throat

• Sinus infections

• Respiratory problems (such as bronchitis, wheezing, asthma).

• Night cough

• Persistent dry cough

• Hoarseness

• Sleeping poorly, waking up frequently

• Frequent ear infections and / or ear congestion.

• Excessive salivation or drooling.

• Intolerant to pressure on the stomach

My son did not show most of the listed symptoms. He complained of stomach pain, did not sleep well, and vomited a lot at night. However, all of the listed symptoms should be taken into account when your child’s health is at stake.

Acid reflux is what happens when stomach contents back up into the esophagus. Besides having to take medication, my son also has to watch his diet. Childhood is when you are supposed to be able to eat whatever you want, but now, Dillon is on what I call “The Old Man’s Diet.” You cannot eat caffeine, greasy or fried food, chocolate, or anything spicy. My son LOVES chocolate, so once we get his reflux under control, every now and then I allow him to have it. And it has been good. When he asks for food that he cannot eat, I remind him of the Barium. That is all it takes. The barium brings you back to reality, and you always settle for Starburst or Skittles.