Can a Child with Acid Reflux Take Hydrochloride

Question: Dear Luise: I started taking Hydrochloride to aide in digestion and acid reflux.  My 10 year old has acid reflux at bedtime.  Want to know if Hydrochloride is OK for him to take?  He does not eat meat and wondering if that has a lot to do with low stomach acid? Thank You, S.

Answer: Dear S.: You can go into a health food store and buy “Betaine HCL with Pepsin” and the dose for children will probably show on the bottle. If not, the clerk may be able to contact the manufacturer and get that information for you.

However, I would suggest that you consult a nutritionist first about your son’s diet. It’s very possible that it may be too high in carbohydrates and too low in protein. I have heard that is a common cause of heartburn and acid reflux. Instead of treating the symptom, I suggest you locate and eradicate what’s causing it, if possible.

I have also heard, (and have no idea how it works), that if you lie with your feet elevated and your head low, it will lessen acid reflux. You might want him to give that a try, too. Sounds weird, I know. Blessings, Luise

About Luise Volta

Luise’s long life has brought her to being the great grandmother of four teenagers. Born in 1927, the miles in between her teens and theirs have been full of falling and getting up, learning and growing and then falling and getting up again. A normal, though not simple, process. She has had diverse careers in nursing, teaching preschool, interior design, Real Estate sales, insurance adjusting and dairy herd testing. She’s lived in the Mid-west, South and West Coast. Luise is married to the love of her life, Val, born in 1911. Their little terrier, “Rosa,” makes most of the major decisions at their house, (or thinks she does).
No comments yet.

Leave a Reply