Chronic Heartburn/Acid Reflux in 18yo, practitioner rec?
My (18yo high school senior) son has suffered from chronic heartburn for years. I had thought it was a recent thing, but I was alarmed when he mentioned he'd been feeling this way since he was about 7 or so. He's had food issues like gagging on certain foods for years, and can't handle things like tomato sauce, acidic foods, that sort of thing. Lately his diet has been atrocious (really heavy on sugar, carbs, very few fruits/veggies/fiber) and he's gaining weight. He has a history of mild anxiety and saw a therapist for a while when he was younger, but has never been on medication (other than prilosec).
He likes his pediatrician, but he's pretty much aged out, even though his ped has offered to keep him on for continuity, vaccine boosters, etc. He can make an appointment there but I'm thinking he needs someone a little more holistic. I'm not sure what I'm looking for: a nutritionist/MD/ND? Or even which questions we to ask someone who can help diagnose whatever seems to be going on. I'd like to help him start good habits now before he leaves for college in a few months. He's got a pretty "closed mind-set," so it can be difficult to get him to stop and consider new things. I know I can lead a horse to water but can't make him drink, etc. but I'd like some suggestions on which water holes to show him, at least.
Parent Replies
Wow -- he's awfully young for heartburn. Has he been fully tested for allergies? There may be a major irritant he doesn't know about.
Here is what I do that makes me asymptomatic. I take a Prevacid, or other proton pump inhibitor, in the morning (this is not a long term solution -- only for flare-ups). Then when consuming any beverage with acid in it -- coffee, orange juice, soda, alcohol -- I put three drops of a product I carry around called Alkazone, which neutralizes the acid in the things I drink. (You can get it on Amazon.) I was a little skeptical about whether it was working until I left my drops at home one day and drank a glass of wine. Yikes!
It is a good stomach-protector, and I'm sure there are other products on the market just like it.
I would strongly recommend you seek homeopathic treatment for your son. Homeopathy is holistic so it will help balance him physically, emotionally and mentally. Chronic conditions like this respond very positively to homeopathy, and many homeopaths are also skilled in complementary nutritional programs. I think you will be thrilled with the results. If you are in the Oakland-Berkeley area, I'd recommend Edi Pfeiffer Classical Homeopathy: 510-516-1334; 431 30th St, Suite 115C, Oakland CA 94609; http://www.berkeleyhomeopathy.com/. Otherwise, check the Bay Area Homeopathy Association (BAHA) to find a practitioner near you: http://www.bayareahomeopathyassociation.org/
Hello,
I have a family member who had severe heartburn for years. His primary care doctor recommended that he see a gastroenterologist. This specialist did a minor procedure called Endoscopy. It involves putting a camera scope through your mouth and mapping out your entire throat to stomach. Done under anesthesia it is uncomfortable but not painful. My family member had an ulcer that was promptly treated. He feels that his heartburn is now under control. That may not be what your son has, but just thought I would share with you. Best wishes!
Sounds like he could benefit from Homeopathy. A family friend had a baby girl who turned out to be allergic to just about every usual food in the American diet. They couldn't give her wheat, sugar, dairy, juice, fermented things like vinegar, etc etc. For her 3rd birthday they had to get a specialty cake with rice flour, stevia, soy cream frosting, etc. They said it tasted like cardboard :( They finally tried a homeopath, and that did it. She cured the girl, and now she can eat almost everything expect chocolate, shellfish and a few other things.
Sorry i can't give you the name of good homeopath. Look on this site. You may have to travel some distance. A lot of times homeopathy does not work, unfortunately, so it's like gambling, but ultimately, it helped me with candida, sleeplessness and other problems that doctors could not solve. I'm much better now. Good luck.
I can totally relate to what you are describing. I have a high school junior (girl) with a similar history. Constipation can also aggravate acid reflux so it's important to address this as a possible underlying cause. Also, I would highly recommend addressing any anxiety issues. Is your son open to meditation? There are a lot of classes now aimed at teens for teaching meditation, as well as a lot of good apps with directed meditation. Long-term use of proton pump inhibitor's does have some downsides so if it's possible at some point that he could switch to something milder like Pepcid AC, that might be a good goal to have.