Empacho is described as a condition in which food or other matter is thought to adhere to the walls of the stomach or intestines, causing an obstruction. It is believed to be caused by eating too much food, eating spoiled food, eating inappropriate combinations of food, or eating at the wrong time.

In infants, empacho is thought to be caused when too much saliva is swallowed during teething, when formulas are changed, or when infants are switched from formula to milk.

Symptoms include nausea, stomach cramping, stomach ache, appetite loss, bloated abdomen, and diarrhea.

Treatment regimens vary widely among Latino cultures. Puerto Rican-Americans consult a special healer called a santiguadora, and Mexican-Americans see a sobadora. Both healers rely on a combination of special massage, prayers and dietary modification to alleviate symptoms.

Biomedicine characterizes empacho as a mild self-limiting illness, but Latino parents believe in the existence of empacho as an illness and make health care decisions based on that belief.

Knowing that the folk treatment is neither harmful nor dangerous, the health care provider should be respectful of the parent’s beliefs and either agree to work with the folk healer or refer the parents to one in the community.