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Suggest Treatment For Chest Pain And Breathing Difficulty In A Child
Question: my son of almost 10 years old for the past 5 days he has started to have pain in his chest, he says he can't breath. It only happens as soon as he gets up in the morning/early morning 5am to 6am every time it has happen. Any it repeats for 2 times, where the 2nd time its harder meaning it hurts more and it last up to 3-5 mins where he complains of too much pain and can not breath. I have taken him to the ER once but they have not found anything. They have done x-rays of his lungs, AKG, Test of his mucus and saliba to test for any infections but it has come to negative and everything normal. What can it be and how can I help it. They gave him Motrin and Muscle relaxer and that help him out.
Brief Answer:
Seems to be due to gastroesophageal reflux
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through the description. It seems to be due to nothing but gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux. The stomach acids are meant to help in digestion and are secreted all thoughout the day and night. So, if there is a long gap as between dinner and morning, enough acid gets accumulated to cause reflux when he gets up early in the morning. This gives an uneasy painful sensation and makes it difficult for him to breathe.
If that is the case, giving him Omeprazole once daily early in the morning and keeping gaps between meals small should help. Motrin should also be helpful.
Try this and see if it makes a difference.
Regards
Seems to be due to gastroesophageal reflux
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through the description. It seems to be due to nothing but gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux. The stomach acids are meant to help in digestion and are secreted all thoughout the day and night. So, if there is a long gap as between dinner and morning, enough acid gets accumulated to cause reflux when he gets up early in the morning. This gives an uneasy painful sensation and makes it difficult for him to breathe.
If that is the case, giving him Omeprazole once daily early in the morning and keeping gaps between meals small should help. Motrin should also be helpful.
Try this and see if it makes a difference.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
That makes since. Can I get that medicine over the counter?If is what u think it is would it go away maybe in a few days or weeks completely? or maybe I should or avoid foods at night that it can make it worst. I'm just wondering as it has not happen before and the pain is extremely intense or I don't even know why it suddenly is starting to happen.
Although he specifically tells me exactly a muscle on the right close to the chest that hurts him. Can also be some swollen in his muscles? or even Anxiety attacks. Or maybe because he is in a stage of growing, maybe muscles are growing/pulling as he is starting to develop/grow body wise or height wise.
Although he specifically tells me exactly a muscle on the right close to the chest that hurts him. Can also be some swollen in his muscles? or even Anxiety attacks. Or maybe because he is in a stage of growing, maybe muscles are growing/pulling as he is starting to develop/grow body wise or height wise.
Brief Answer:
Omeprazole is available over the counter.
Detailed Answer:
Omeprazole is available over the counter. It should take at least a few days to see some effect. You have to give feeds at night and if possible in the middle of the night too.
A swelling of the muscles is less likely. Anxiety attacks possible and since stress leads to increased acid production, could also be indirectly related. Growing pains and muscle pull due to growth completely unlikely.
A careful clinical examination was essential but that is clearly beyond scope.
Regards
Omeprazole is available over the counter.
Detailed Answer:
Omeprazole is available over the counter. It should take at least a few days to see some effect. You have to give feeds at night and if possible in the middle of the night too.
A swelling of the muscles is less likely. Anxiety attacks possible and since stress leads to increased acid production, could also be indirectly related. Growing pains and muscle pull due to growth completely unlikely.
A careful clinical examination was essential but that is clearly beyond scope.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you! I will definitely try that.
FYI: Doctor on ER wrote on the discharge papers as Diagnosis: Costochondritis. Also just remember that about 3 months ago, my son was playing soccer with other kids at school and one time someone threw the ball hard and it landed in his chest. Don't know how strong or painful it was at that point or this could be a result of it or maybe not because it's been too long.
FYI: Doctor on ER wrote on the discharge papers as Diagnosis: Costochondritis. Also just remember that about 3 months ago, my son was playing soccer with other kids at school and one time someone threw the ball hard and it landed in his chest. Don't know how strong or painful it was at that point or this could be a result of it or maybe not because it's been too long.
Brief Answer:
Costochondritis is another possible cause.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for not being able to respond faster.
Costochondritis is a possible cause. It is the pain of the cartilage of the ribs. If that is the case, when the child is having pain, if you press on the location of the pain you would feel the hardness of the ribs underneath. In contrary, if the pain is due to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux, there would be no hard structure below.
The diagnosis of reactive airway disease is a different issue altogether. I cannot comment on the same without a thorough clinical examination. However, if that is the case, wheezing and noisy breathing is likely to be present.
Regards
Costochondritis is another possible cause.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for not being able to respond faster.
Costochondritis is a possible cause. It is the pain of the cartilage of the ribs. If that is the case, when the child is having pain, if you press on the location of the pain you would feel the hardness of the ribs underneath. In contrary, if the pain is due to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux, there would be no hard structure below.
The diagnosis of reactive airway disease is a different issue altogether. I cannot comment on the same without a thorough clinical examination. However, if that is the case, wheezing and noisy breathing is likely to be present.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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