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Suggest Safe Medication For Acid Reflux, Cough And Sore Throat In Child
Question: YYYY@YYYY
Any over the counter medicine for acid reflux safe for children to take/any ones to avoid?
My 13 1/2 year old son seems to have serious acid reflux going on for past 2-3 weeks during which we thought he has had bad congestion b/c in addition to a deep chest cough he has had a constant sore throat. three separate strep tests all negative. interestingly, the night before last he mentioned to me (his mother) how he hates it when his chest burns / feels on-fire and this happens when he feels vomit coming into his throat but he pushes it back down or it goes back down. He says this happens a lot and I get the sense that this means it happens almost daily or even throughout a given day.
For now, we want to try some immediate relief (during this long 4th of July weekend) and then plan to find/make an appointment with a pediatric gastro specialist.
Thanks.
Any over the counter medicine for acid reflux safe for children to take/any ones to avoid?
My 13 1/2 year old son seems to have serious acid reflux going on for past 2-3 weeks during which we thought he has had bad congestion b/c in addition to a deep chest cough he has had a constant sore throat. three separate strep tests all negative. interestingly, the night before last he mentioned to me (his mother) how he hates it when his chest burns / feels on-fire and this happens when he feels vomit coming into his throat but he pushes it back down or it goes back down. He says this happens a lot and I get the sense that this means it happens almost daily or even throughout a given day.
For now, we want to try some immediate relief (during this long 4th of July weekend) and then plan to find/make an appointment with a pediatric gastro specialist.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Some helpful suggestions
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for the query.
I understand your son's concern.
He can be helped by Gaviscon which is an antacid available OTC.
If he remains symptomatic, there are other more powerful medicines like PPI where the relief is better.
Also it is better for him to avoid spicy , oily foods, caffeinated and aerated beverages. The reflux would less if he goes to bed with an empty stomach ( no food or drinks for 2 hours before bedtime) and elevate the head end of the bed.
He may be helped by medicines like metoclopramide which quickly empties the stomach and also increase the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter preventing reflux.
Hope these measures would be helpful till he gets to see the gastroenterologist.
Regards,
Some helpful suggestions
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for the query.
I understand your son's concern.
He can be helped by Gaviscon which is an antacid available OTC.
If he remains symptomatic, there are other more powerful medicines like PPI where the relief is better.
Also it is better for him to avoid spicy , oily foods, caffeinated and aerated beverages. The reflux would less if he goes to bed with an empty stomach ( no food or drinks for 2 hours before bedtime) and elevate the head end of the bed.
He may be helped by medicines like metoclopramide which quickly empties the stomach and also increase the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter preventing reflux.
Hope these measures would be helpful till he gets to see the gastroenterologist.
Regards,
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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