Acid indigestion

[potty64]

My 15 year old grand daughter suffers terribly from acid indigestion approx: 3 times a year. I'd appreciate opinions on what may cause it and CURE it. She doesn't appear to get stressed out about anything. Thx.

[cazzz1975]

3 times a year? thats quite specific, most indigestion is caused by eating or drinking something that doesnt agree with you

[bednobs]

the best opinion to get, especially for children is from their gp

[TTG]

Glass of milk might help. I do think it's something she is eating as cazzz stated.

[cazzz1975]

as it happens so few times, you have to look at what she does 3 times a year that may set it off

[emeraldblue]

Possible causes: something she has eaten or other medicines eg ibuprofen
Cure: Ranitidine gives 12 hour relief available from the chemist.
Is she sure its acid indigestion and not eg trapped wind which can be very painful

[seadogg]

The best way of dealing with excess acid is to prevent it becoming a problem in the first place but if the attacks are random this is difficult. She should mention it to a doctor who might be able to spot the underlying cause with a bit more info than this. An alginate, like Gaviscon, can be handy.

[237SJ]

Do you mean acid indigestion or acid reflux? If it`s acid reflux you could speak to your pharmacist and buy some antacids, or go to your GP and get acid suppressants

[potty64]

Thx for all yr replies. My grand daughter is seeing her GP again (they are so slow)and may have a scan eventually to eliminate anything more serious. It maybe acid reflux. Perhaps a herbal remedy will be of benefit. Shall hope it will be rectified for good. I wonder if she suppresses stress. (?) X

[237SJ]

I`m no expert potty but if it happens 3 times a year it sounds like acid reflux. My friend gets that and it can be very uncomfortable. She get`s it when she`s anxious about something. The GP should sort it out hopefully.

[potty64]

Thx 237SJ. My gut feeling (pardon the pun!) is that she does get anxious about something or other from time to time but bottles it up. (If that is so, Why I wonder?). School/friends/life in general etc. The trouble with GP's is they suppress the symptoms - not cure it. X

[237SJ]

I think there is such as thing as a faulty valve at the bottom of the esophagus that allows acid to back-up. As I said I`m no expert, but I`m sure someone will be able to reassure you here and I`m sure your GP will, too.

[Sqad]

Your description of your daughter´s condition lacks many important clues and without a good clinical history a diagnosis is totally impossible.

My gut reaction is to support the opinion of 237SJ but that is as far as one can take it.

See your GP for a complete history and examination to establish a rational diagnosis.

It doesnt seem a big deal, so don´t worry.

[shazbang]

Hi potty64. I had this very same problem when i was 12 yrs old. mum took me to my then elderly GP who told my mum that he had never heard of a child so young having heartburn, that i had probably overheard adults talking about it and was just attention seeking. More or less accusing me of lying. I am now 32 and have been plagued with stomach complaints since, i was rushed to hospital at 17yrs with an ulcer and have been undergoing different tests and medications for years. My whole life I feel like i've been banging my head against a brick wall until a new doctor joined the surgery and took me more serious than any other doctor ever has. The specialists now think i may have crohns and may have had this, undiagnosed, since childhood. Am just waiting on 1 final test and then we'll know for sure. Hope your granddaughter gets sorted and whatever you do always get a 2nd opinion if you're not happy with the answers you get, it may save her years of misery.

[tiggerblue10]

I have similar problems although they occure more than 3 times a year. I've been prescribed Omeprazole for it and also take Gaviscon but sometimes the pain is so extreme it keeps me awake all night even having taken medication. The only thing that does seem to take the edge of the extreme pain is a hot milky malt drink. It really does help.