Interview with Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Tu about Gastro-Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in children and solutions from Marial Gel

In recent years, laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in children is gradually becoming more common, but because the symptoms are unclear and easily confused with other diseases, many parents I still don’t fully understand how serious it is. To better understand this disease and how to prevent and treat it effectively, we had a conversation with Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thanh Tu – Director of the International Center, National Children’s Hospital.

Gastro-laryngeal reflux in children is often difficult to recognize. Can doctors explain this disease more clearly?

Gastro-laryngeal reflux is a condition in which stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus and progresses further into the child’s pharynx and larynx. In young children, especially newborns and children under 6 years old, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) – the part that prevents reflux – is not fully developed, easily causing stomach acid to reflux into the throat and larynx. management.

Unlike gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which often causes heartburn and chest pain, LPR affects the upper respiratory tract and larynx more, leading to symptoms such as chronic cough, hoarseness, or nasal congestion. , easily confused with other respiratory diseases.

What are the specific symptoms of gastro-laryngopharyngeal reflux in children? Why is this disease easily confused with other diseases?

Symptoms of LPR in young children are often unclear, causing many parents to confuse them with common respiratory diseases. Key signs may include:

– Chronic cough: The most common symptom, especially dry cough that lasts at night.

– Hoarseness or loss of voice: Due to stomach acid rising up, causing inflammation and swelling of the vocal cords

– Stuffy nose and difficulty breathing: Children often have a stuffy nose and difficulty breathing at night, especially after eating or drinking milk.

– Vomiting or vomiting after eating: A fairly common symptom due to acid reflux from the stomach.

These symptoms are quite similar to respiratory diseases, so sometimes they lead to incorrect treatment, prolonging the disease and causing complications.

So what chronic respiratory diseases can gastro-laryngeal reflux lead to in children?

Clinical studies have demonstrated that acid reflux can cause irritation and inflammation not only in the esophagus, but also in the upper and lower respiratory areas, thereby leading to a number of diseases:

Asthma: Acid reflux can cause inflammation and constriction of the airways, increasing the risk of asthma or making asthma difficult to control.

– Chronic sinusitis: Acid reflux can irritate the nasal mucosa, causing sinus infection and more severe disease.

– Chronic bronchitis and pneumonia: Acid reflux into the lower respiratory tract can cause chronic bronchitis or even aspiration pneumonia.

These complications can cause a vicious cycle: reflux makes respiratory diseases worse, and conversely, chronic respiratory diseases make reflux symptoms more severe.

So how to recognize early and effectively treat gastro-laryngeal reflux in children?

If parents notice that their child has symptoms such as persistent coughing, hoarseness, vomiting after eating, or difficulty sleeping, especially at night, they should take the child to see a specialist for treatment. accurate diagnosis.

Regarding treatment, in addition to adjusting the child’s diet and living habits, the use of effective and safe treatment support products is essential. Marial Gel is one of the new and outstanding solutions that I recommend to parents.

Why is this product considered a superior solution for children with gastroesophageal reflux?

Many antacids or PPIs can affect a child’s digestive system development when taken long-term. Marial Gel with natural ingredients Mg-Alginate and E-gastryal complex is safe for children from 3 years old and does not cause side effects, can be used long term. Marial Gel helps reduce symptoms quickly after just 5 minutes of use and has dual effects:

– Prevent reflux, quickly reduce symptoms: Mg-Alginate creates floating rafts to prevent acid reflux and soothe unpleasant symptoms such as cough, hoarseness, and sore throat.

– Protects and restores damaged mucosa: E-gastryal complex helps protect and heal damaged esophageal mucosa.

What is the advice for parents of young children with gastro-laryngopharyngeal reflux?

Always monitor your child for unusual symptoms, especially cough, hoarseness, or vomiting after eating. If these signs persist, parents need to take their child to see a doctor soon for proper advice and treatment.

Using safe and effective solutions like Marial Gel not only helps relieve symptoms quickly but also provides long-term protection for your child’s digestive and respiratory systems. This will help children have a healthy life and develop normally without having to worry about serious complications of gastro-laryngeal reflux.

(Alobacsi.com)