Aerophagia

[kcs_mum]

My 3 year old has extreme stomach distention with unknown cause. She also has Reflux (non acid type). I know she does some air swallowing at night when she is refluxing as I hear the reflux coming up and after she starts choking she starts swallowing some air. She does not burp excessively. Or pass wind excessively. I have never noticed her swallowing air other than at times at night. My respiratory specialist today said that we should see a phsyciatrist for the air swallowing behaviour problem. I disagree and feel like there is something more than this wrong with her. At times the distension is at its worst she also has breathing problems ?asthma, complains of pain a bit and doesnt eat properly as she says her tummy is too full, amd gets a chronic cough. In the past 2 weeks she has lost considerable weight but the doctor today palmed it off as being due to warmer weather. If anyone has suggestions or ideas on what I should do please let me know. Does this all sound like just aerophagia to you?

[docrat]

Hi, I don't really have an answer for you but I wanted to tell you that I have the exact same problem.  I don't know what is causing it for me, and the cause may be different ( I am on lots of medication for an autoimmune liver problem.)  However, it seems like my stomach (NOT intestines) gets bloated up with air.  When this happens it becomes hard for me to take a deep breath.  I don't think I have asthma, I think it is just when the stomach is bloated it takes up space that the lungs can't fill, so you get short of breath.  I have so much gurgling in my stomach and up my esophagus sometimes that the whole room can hear it!  I wish I knew the cause, I am still trying to find out too!  Keep pushing the docs for answers and trust your instincts!

Rebecca