Possible Acid Reflex in 9Yr Old

K., it sounds kind of like the reflux my boys had when they were babies. They would all of a sudden start choking on mucus and we had to suction them and get it out of their throats. At least your son is able to get whatever it is out. Our ped put the boys on Zantac, I wonder if that's what your son will take? It made a huge difference for our boys and we were able to wean them off it after about 6 months and they haven't had any problems since.

It may be totally different, but my boys didn't have the burning either--they weren't uncomfortable at all--they just had those choking episodes and would also spit up.

I hope the meds help!

T.

Dear K.,
Boys do go through phases of finding spitting to be a wildly fascininating talent.
My son was 9 years old when he developed a cough at night. He kept saying he had "junk" stuck in his throat. Then he started vomitting. I thought he had the flu because the poor thing was throwing up every night and then sleeping all day. He was hungry, but afraid to eat because he hated throwing up. After a few days, I took him to the doctor. I couldn't believe it when the doctor said it was acid reflux. My son had never once complained about anything burning, just the junk in his throat. The doctor gave him a prescription for Reglan and the vomitting stopped all together. Immediately.
What was happening was that what he ate was inching it's way back up through the digestive tract into his throat instead of being digested and going down out of the stomach.
We also raised the head of his bed so he wasn't laying flat, but a pill an hour before dinner and one at bedtime did the trick. He's 13 now and only takes a pill before bed from time to time if he's noticing that cough feeling coming on.
I know some people are against giving their children medication, and I don't know what was prescribed for your kid, but medicine helped my son so much! And, like I said, he doesn't even have to take it all the time anymore. I hope it helps your son.
As for the spitting thing, that's something that may or may not get cleared up so easily. It can become a habit.
Everytime my son gets around his cousin, he starts randomly spitting because my nephew does it.
Yuck.
I don't care if they spit while they're fishing or riding their bikes, but on the front porch and in front of people is just gross. I'm a bit of a nag about the spitting thing.
Let us know how it goes.

Hi K.:
I am a mother of a 2yr old with GERD reflux issues and right now the best option would be to establish when he does the "hacking louey" symptoms and find out if it is recently after he ate something or drank something. Then you may want to figure out when he is doing it and whether it is a "want attention" type of thing or if it is uncontrolled in time and activities being done.
If you already know these answers, let me know and I will get some information about reflux to you.
Acid Reflux doesn't always include burning so just stay open and watch his symptoms.
Did he ever have these types of actions when he was younger?
You will figure this all out so hang in there.
T.

I would strongly suggest doing some research on food allergies and intolerances. The doctors might blow you off but do your own research. Dairy allergy is quite common and often responsible for mucous. Wheat, soy, nuts and eggs are also common allergens.

Search "reflux gluten intolerance" or "dairy mucous children"

Play around with all sorts of combinations of words and symptoms until the info all starts coming together. You will be amazed. The doctors are quick to give medication to cover up the symptoms but it is important to uncover the source or the cause of the problem before it starts doing damage to your son's body in other ways. You'll see what I mean when you start reading!

Take care!

look into healty alternatives to help with the acid reflux. Giving a child drugs of any kind is never a good idea. I have found that a juice called Xango has helped my Acid Reflux and it is made of nothing but a mixture of fruit juices. Look into it further at www.mangosteenjuicegirl.com and see what you think.

Regards,
Victoria M

Hi K.-

I am a Chiropractor, specializing in maternity and pediatrics. I think I can shed some light on your question.

The nerve roots which stem from the mid back (thoracic) and upper lumbar spine go into the stomach and digestive tracts. I have found on countless occasions, that children with digestive issues find relief by working in this region to remove interferences and to stimulate proper digestion. The other region I address in these cases is the upper cervical (neck) spine where the brain stem controls all of these vital functions: immunity, digestion, breathing... etc. Adjustments are very gentle, usually only requiring an acupressure type force.

I hope that helps.
-Dr. L.

Dr. L. Gerner, D.C., FICPA
Gerner Family Chiropractic
429 F St., Suite 8A
Davis, CA 95616
###-###-#### (LOVE)
www.gernerchiropractic.com

My son had this problem when he was about 10. It started out as a reaction to a cold with phlem/mucus in his throat, but turned into a habit once the cold went away. We cut out dairy or allowed very little, and it gave him less phlem to cough up. He grew out of it and I reintroduced milk and dairy products later. All is fine now.