Acid Reflux in Children: Know the Symptoms

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 went to school. I convinced myself it must have been something he ate.

The next month the same thing happened. After lying down at night, he started vomiting. He complained of stomach pain. But the next morning he was fine. Once he finished vomiting, he was absolutely fine. I always thought it was something that didn't agree with him.

However, vomiting occurred more frequently. He also frequently complained of stomach pain. The vomiting occurred at least once a week and always at night. He would miss school and look very pale. But the strange thing was, as soon as the vomiting stopped, his color would return and he would run around and play. I made no sense to myself. How could he go from being weak and sick to jumping on the trampoline an hour later?

I tried to find a likely cause by researching online. I searched for the symptoms he was having but didn't get any clear results. In the city where I live, we are not known for having very reliable doctors. My experience has been that you need to have an idea of ​​what's going on with you before you even go to the doctor's office. I tried to have an idea of ​​what to say as we walked in. I was afraid that a tumor was growing inside him. I was very scared, but made an appointment to see his 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 of her symptoms disappear. They smile, laugh, have energy to burn, and look like they have no business being in the hospital. That's how my son was that day. I always imagine the doctor doubting everything I say when I explain his symptoms. Looking at his smiling face, it's hard to believe that he pulled out his heart a few hours ago.

After a quick glance over the doctor (No, wait. It wasn't a doctor. It was a doctor's assistant. We hardly see an actual doctor in this town). So the doctor's assistant says he has acid reflux. The idea seemed ridiculous to me. Acid reflux? In a seven year old? The diagnosis seemed too simple, I feared she was wrong and insisted we run tests to rule out anything more serious. That's my baby. My little boy. I'm not taking any risks.

So my poor Dillon endured blood tests, x-rays and even an upper GI. I was worried he would have to go through an upper GI. In my mind I imagined they would have to put him to sleep and shove tubes down his throat. However, that wasn't what they were doing at all. Aside from having to drink barium, the procedure was very simple. But the barium... you wouldn't wish that on your worst enemy.

On upper GI day, I kept him home from school. Seeing his small, tiny body in a hospital gown almost brought me to tears. As I watched him try to be strong and not show the nurse and doctor how scared he was, my eyes watered too. This is the same little boy who can't stand the taste of liquid Tylenol, and here he is with a full cup of barium in his hand. He was shaking but smiling. The doctor explained what they were going to do and made him drink the terrible smelling barium. The barium glowed in his body, allowing the doctor to see what was happening to the barium once it was inside him.

As Dillon stood in front of an X-ray board, he drank the barium. I watched from behind the doctor as it happened and could see a screen showing an x-ray view of his body. I could see the barium going into his mouth, down his throat, and into parts of his body that I couldn't identify. It was an amazing technology. While Dillon slowly drank the barium, the doctor took photos from a computer. I was told that these pictures will help identify any conditions he may have, such as an ulcer, a tumor, a hernia, scars, a blockage, or anything abnormal in the gastrointestinal tissue.

After the stills were finished, Dillon had to lie down on another table as they took more overhead X-rays. I could see the images on the screen again. It was amazing to see the liquid move from one place to another. The doctor rolled Dillon around on the table several times. Poor Dillon continued to spin even after the doctor briefly stepped out of the room! No one had bothered to tell him to stop. We had a quick giggle about that.

After they took all the x-rays from all angles, he had to walk around the hall to get regular x-rays. All I could think about was the radiation he was exposed to. I was given a heavy apron to protect myself from the radiation. The x-ray technician, doctor and nurses also wore one. But my little boy, only 62 pounds, faced it all the time.

I was very relieved to learn that Dillon does not have a tumor, ulcer or disease other than acid reflux. After hearing this, I said a prayer of thanks because I know that not all children (and parents) are lucky enough to receive such good news and I was so relieved and grateful.

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

If you think your child is suffering from acid reflux, you should look for these symptoms. These are the symptoms listed under “About:”.

• Abdominal pain above the belly button

• Chest pain

• Burning in the esophagus

• Extremely picky about food or refusing food

• Despite being hungry, only eat a few bites

• Choking or choking

• Poor weight gain or weight loss

• Bad breath

• Constant runny nose

• Frequent sore throat

• Sinus infection

• Breathing problems (such as bronchitis, wheezing, asthma)

• Nocturnal cough

• Nagging dry cough

• hoarseness

• Poor sleep, frequent awakenings

• Frequent ear infections and/or ear congestion

• Excessive salivation or drooling

• Intolerant to pressure on the stomach

My son did not exhibit most of the symptoms listed. 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. Aside from taking the medication, my son also needs to watch his diet. Childhood is when you're supposed to be able to eat whatever you want, but now Dillon is on what I call "The Old Man Diet." He cannot have caffeine, fatty or fried foods, chocolate or anything spicy. My son LOVES chocolate. Once we get his reflux under control, I will allow him to have it occasionally. And he was fine. When he asks for food he can't have, I remind him of the barium. That's all it takes. The barium immediately snaps him back to reality and he chooses Starburst or Skittles every time

Inspired by Jewel Nguyen