My 7 year old daughter goes through periods where she ...

Hello,

When she vomits , what does she say the vomit tastes like - sour ? Or bitter?

What is the vomit like - foamy, watery?

Does she have undigested food in the vomit when she throws up after 4 hours of eating?

Does she complain of heartburn, bloating, pain in the upper abdomen?

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Experienced in the management of Pregnancy,Infertility,Menopause and all problems in Pregnancy and Gynecology

Most of the time it is undigested food. It's neither foamy or watery. It's always chunky and reminds ne of wet doog food. She says it tastes bitter and leaves her mouth chalky. Most mornings she wakes up she says her tummy is upset and she frequently complains about her throat.

Hello,

It is likely that she is suffering from acid reflux disease.

Her description that her tummy is upset probably means that it is bloated and that she feels uncomfortable - both common symptoms of acid reflux.

Reflux of acid into the throat can also cause an irritation of the throat. It is likely that acid reflux occurs at night due to gravity when she is lying down, rather than during the day. This will cause the throat to get irritated and stimulate the gag reflex which leads to vomiting.

Idealy, she needs to be examined by a gastroenterologist for a Ba-swallow Xray and gastroesophagoscopy .

Till then, you can take the following steps at home and see if it helps:

- Give her sips of ice cold water throughout the day from time to time. This will cool the stomach tissues and dilute the gastric acid in the stomach. Ice-creams and cold custard also work, plus since they are semisolid, they have less chances of trickling upwards.

- Give her 4-5 small meals instead of 3 major meals. Ice-cold rice pudding is ideal for her.

- Avoid greasy, fried food

- Sleep in a propped up position instead of flat on the bed to prevent acid reflux.

- As soon as she wakes up in the morning and before getting up from bed, ask her to nibble at 2-3 dry crackers. These will absorb whatever acid and gas has collected in her stomach overnight. She is to lie quietly in bed for another 30 minutes.

- Liquid and soild food is not to taken together. Liquids are to be taken at least 1 hour after solids.

- She should not do anything that can cause gastric acid to flow upwards. No leaning forwards to pick up things etc.

- Gelusil is an antacid that contains a substance called simethicone. This is capable of absorbing gases from the stomach. It will decrease the bloating and reduce discomfort in the stomach.

I believe that these steps will decrease her GERD to some extent, preventing the episodes of vomiting.

I hope this helps.

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Experienced in the management of Pregnancy,Infertility,Menopause and all problems in Pregnancy and Gynecology