Constant throat clearing

[mshanson]

I have a question about our oldest son. He's 4.5, and in the last month, he's developed this thing with his throat. He's constantly clearing it. It's totally unconcious, he doesn't realize he's doing it. We've tried asking him if he has something in his throat and he says no, and looks at us like what are you talking about, lol. It's pretty frequent, several times an hour (sometimes several times a minute). Then other times he might go a couple/few hours and not do it at all, or hardly at all. One thing I do find it's definitely at it's worse when he's eating (it can be almost constant while he's eating) and right after he's eating. My father has a hiatal hernia, so this makes me wonder if maybe DS has something going on? He doesn't have any other signs that I can tell of reflux, but then again I know sometimes it's hard to tell.

I did mention it to our doctor, but she didn't even look at him, just said, "Is it bothering him?" (it's not, he doesn't even realize he's doing it), and then said, "Well it's probably post nasal drip." I really don't think it is. He has NO allergy signs at all.

I know sometimes throat clearing can just be a fluke tic in children's this age, and I don't think he has any signs of Tourette's, so I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing, but would you take him back to the doctor to see if something's going on in his throat?

[mshanson]

Well I did take him back to a diff doctor and she said it's possible it's reflux, and is putting him on reflux meds for a month to try, but it's  more likely that it's just a benign tic, that they can be common in children around this age, and especially in boys, and that it'll likely go away in a few months. But she advised to absolutely NOT mention it in front of him, not to ask him about it, etc.

[specialmom]

Yes, that does sound like reflux-------  hope you get some answers from your doc.  good luck!~!

[margypops]

It does sound like reflux also there have been many things going round  in my area many are sick with a dry cough and a tickling throat that wakes them up, has he a cough or runny nose,ask that the Doctor checks his tonsils . good luck

[mshanson]

Well I actually asked him about it this morning, and he said, "Mommy the thingys are coming up so I put them back down". Red flag. So I said, "What thingys", and he told me the bubbles are coming up from his tummy... I asked him if the bubbles tasted bad and he said yes.

Normally when I'd ask him (and we don't ask often), he'd act like he had no clue what we were talking about, but occasionally he'd say he had something in his throat, so that's why I didn't think anything was bothering him.

So anyways, we're making an apt to see the doctor, as with his descriptuion it sounds like classic reflux.

[TanyaSTaylor]

Dear mshanson, my son is 6 and started clearing his throat about a year ago. He has been checked for Asthma, allergies, dairy, all test come back negative. I ended up taking him to a ear nose and throat doctor and they ran the light down his nose to his throat and said it was a little red so they are thinking it is acid reflux, they put him on the medicine and it has been two months and he is doing so so much better. I also cut dairy out of his diet and that might be the reason also he is doing good. Even though he is not allergic to dairy and feel strongly he has a sensitivity to dairy. Good luck!

[specialmom]

Yes, I was going to say that it can be a tic. I will tell you that around that age, my son started this blinking thing with his eyes.  I was sure he had tourettes.  Finally, I just completely ignored it and it went away.  I didn't say one word about it.  I'd try that.  

He may have a little tickle, he really may.  Tis the season.  

Keep your eye on it and see if it naturally goes away.  I'm guessing it will.  good luck--

BTW, my husband clears his throat out of habit whenever he is getting ready to have a serious conversation or if he is on the phone for work.  It is a habit.  I and his close friends notice it but others probably don't.  He's alright-  hasn't hindered him.  It is like a nervous habit.  Just thought I'd throw that in too.  It will be okay, I'm sure.