acid reflux and epiglottits

I have a son who just turned 5 in Nov.  He has just been diagnosed with GERD. He also has Subglottitc Stenosis. I was told with the combination of these two things that he is at a higher risk of getting epiglottits which he had this year on Halloween.  He is taking 15 mg of prevcaid twice a day.is This true about the GERD and Epiglottits?
thank You for any help you can be of.
Michelle

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
There are two two like structures just beyond the oral cavity. The front one is the windpipe for respiration. It is closed by epiglottis to prevent aspiration. Vocal cord is called glottis. Subglottic stenosis means the windpipe below the vocal cords in narrowed. Epiglottitis is the inflammation of epiglottis.

Behind is the foodpipe. In GERD the acid contents of the stomach refluxes in to the foodpipe causing heartburn. In severe cases the acid content may come even up to the throat and get aspirated in to the windpipe causing inflammed throat and vocal cords.

So severe GERD may cause epiglottitis.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.