PersianKitty |
01-03-2004 08:48 PM |
Quote:
Originally posted by Choker
How can a kid get ulcers that young? One of my 11 year olds complains often of stomach aches. Doctors have gave no explanation so far. Isn't there ususally bleeding in your stools form ulcers?
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You'd be amazed. It started when he was 13. I thought he was just trying to get out of school. I knew he had 'sour tummy' or acid reflux at times but put it down to his eating spicy food or eating and then laying down soon after.
After several months, I got him to a doc that then sent me to a specialist. They did an endoscopy (camera down the throat). They found he had one ulcer at that time and no current damage from the acid reflux. They at first attributed the peptic ulcer to H-pylori, a spiral-shaped type of bacteria that is present in more than 90% of patients who have intestinal ulcers and more than 80% of patients with stomach ulcers. The bacteria eats away at the stomach's protective coating laying it open to the digestive acids. They put him on 3 meds, then the culture came back negative for the bacteria. Almost two-thirds of all ulcers are caused by the H. pylori.
They say it is likely that at one time or another he had the bacteria and it messed up the lining. A second endoscopy a year later, revealed a second ulcer, a esophageal hernia, and the intolerance to gluten (celiac disease). He's never had bloody stools, etc. And I believe that's advanced ulcers.
If he's complaining on a regular basis, get him in to a gastro specialist. Never hurts to check it out.
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