Why Is My Child Unable To Swallow Solid Food With Redness And Inflammation Between Esophagus And Stomach?

Posted on Sun, 22 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 22 Dec 2013 Answered on

Sat, 11 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My five year old will not swallow solid foods and says she can't. It has been almost two weeks and she has lost 5 pounds which is 10% of her body weight. She also feels like she is going to throw up with bowel movements and she feels like she needs to pee sometimes even after she has peed. She went to the ER and had a scope of her upper GI which showed that the area between her esophagus and stomach was red and inflamed. They put her on a prescription liquid which is basically like maylox and put her on an acid reflux medicine. She has been taken the meds for three days with no signs of improvements. She is tiny to begin with and can't afford to loose any more wait. We don't know what to do and are quickly loosing faith that the doctors know what is wrong. What could it be?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Please follow the suggestions below... Detailed Answer: Hi, I read the medical history of your daughter, and I could ask to be patient. I would do my best to get her guided for the right diagnosis and treatment. You are saying that your daughter feels the need to urinate after having already peed. That could be related to any urinary tract infection. I'd suggest to do the urine analysis and culture and sensitivity to rule out/diagnose UTI. Another cause could be related to: - being anxious or timid child - having cold - eating citrus fruits - drinking liquids containing caffeine or/and soda The red area between esophagus and stomach is due to the acidity of the stomach which is turned back to the esophagus due to GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux). Could you please send in the upper GI endoscope result by attach? That would help me assist you further. The prescription liquid is helping her stomach to change pH from acidic to normal or base to avoid further damages and get the scars healed. Looking forward to kindly have the results of upper GI tract and/or other tests you might have run to further assist you! Thank you! Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T