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What Causes Vomiting While Treating Acid Reflux?

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Posted on Tue, 17 Apr 2018
Question: Hi Doctor,

My daughter has been treated off an on for reflux since birth. She had a terrible time with her bottle, would arch her back and scream. Once she was onto solids, she would rarely eat. Our peditrician suspected reflux and put her on meds. Her eating immeduiately improved. We have taken her off the prevacid but now we are noticing she gets very mucosy/congested when she falls asleep after having a full bottle of milk. SHe also snores and sounds like she is swalling something (thick secretions maybe) she also complains that her nose is wet and runny (in her sleep). She wakes up coughing so much to the point where she ends up vomiting from the coughing. She also wakes up at night asking for water. I am so upset because I think her reflux is back and her doctor said that if she has not outgrown it by now, chances are she will have it for life. I don't want her living on medication but on the other hand I don't want her developing and esophageal problems like strictures or barrets. Please advise. Is there hope she could still get better?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. The junction of the foodpipe and the stomach acts as a sphincter preventing the reflux of stomach acids. In case of children the muscle tone is not high and so this sphincter action is often lacking, thus leading to reflux. Thickening of foods and moving over to semisolids and solids would help in preventing reflux. Try to move over from milk to solids. It is not a good idea to continue to let her sleep with a bottle in her mouth. It could lead to aspiration and worse. It is no wonder that she has thick secretions. Dietary modification would help her outgrow it. I do not suppose that such a thing will progress to Barrett's or strictures. Regarding the snoring, she needs to be clinically evaluated.

As the muscle tone improves, it will get better.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (6 hours later)
Hi doctor, my mistake... i should have also mentioned mydaughter's age. She is 2 years old, hence why the concern because her doctor said that by now she should have outgrown it, and since she has not, this will most likely be a lifelong problem. This is why i am so concerned and upset. I presume you assumed she was a baby and that is why you told me to try semi solids. She is eating solids and gets one bottle a day. What is the prognosis for kids that don't outgrow it by 2 years of age? Does this mean she will unlikely outgrow it? What is the treatment or protocol for children that have it for many years (medication that is harmful)?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Wait and watch

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back and for clarifying. What your doctor has said, is a possibility, but not the only possibility. The muscle tone can eventually grow but it is hard to predict. There is no specific treatment for the condition except for the supportive treatment that is ongoing. the medicine is safe and not harmful and so you need not worry.

It does not mean that it would be there lifelong. Nevertheless, it cannot be predicted if and when she would outgrow it.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3877 Questions

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What Causes Vomiting While Treating Acid Reflux?

Brief Answer: No need to worry Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. The junction of the foodpipe and the stomach acts as a sphincter preventing the reflux of stomach acids. In case of children the muscle tone is not high and so this sphincter action is often lacking, thus leading to reflux. Thickening of foods and moving over to semisolids and solids would help in preventing reflux. Try to move over from milk to solids. It is not a good idea to continue to let her sleep with a bottle in her mouth. It could lead to aspiration and worse. It is no wonder that she has thick secretions. Dietary modification would help her outgrow it. I do not suppose that such a thing will progress to Barrett's or strictures. Regarding the snoring, she needs to be clinically evaluated. As the muscle tone improves, it will get better. Let me know if I could help further. Regards