Stomach pain is a common complaint among children of all ages and can be caused by various reasons, some serious and others not. Read on to discover the various causes and remedies of the symptom.
Stomach or abdominal pain in a child is the pain around the tummy area. The pain can be anywhere from the chest to the groin area of the child. Stomach pain is a very common medical problem in children and most cases of stomach pain are not of great concern. However, some stomach pain cases can be of serious concern.
There are a number of reasons that may cause stomach ache in kids. Following are some of the common causes:
Some children have an allergic reaction to the protein present in milk, which may cause stomach pain. The milk allergy also causes cramps, vomiting, rashes and diarrhoea in children.
A bad digestion or constipation may also cause stomach pain in children. The lack of fibre and roughage in the diet causes constipation.
Urinary tract infection may cause pain and discomfort in the abdomen of your child. The pain associated with UTI is generally noticed in the lower abdominal region.
Apart from fever and sore throat, the child may also experience stomach pain in strep throat infection.
Increased levels of anxiety or stress levels can also trigger abdominal pain in your child. This abdominal pain is generally not accompanied by any other symptoms, such as diarrhoea, fever or vomiting.
Lead poisoning is usually seen in younger children, who tend to put everything in their mouths, and this may cause stomach ache. There are other symptoms such as constipation, lethargy and poor appetite, along with stomach ache.
Any kind of injury in the abdominal region can also cause stomach pain in children.
An inflamed appendix can cause intense stomach pain in your child. This is a serious kind of stomach ache and needs immediate medical attention as it can be fatal for your child.
Intestinal ailments such as malrotation or intussusceptions may cause pain in the stomach.
Menstruation or periods may also cause stomach pain in girls.
You may notice child curling up in pain, crying incessantly or making faces in agony. Following are some observations that will help you assess the symptoms of stomach pain in your child:
The normal cases of stomach ache in kids such as gas or stomach flu, do not last long. However, if the pain is for more than 24 hours, you need to seek immediate medical help.
The usual bouts of stomach ache in children are located in the centre of the abdomen; however, if your child complains of pain in the lower abdominal region or in a particular region, then it may be a cause of concern.
You may be able to detect the severity of your child’s condition if you find your child is pale, sweaty, sleepy or listless. The child may refuse to eat and drink.
Fever accompanied by stomach ache is not associated with serious health issues. In fact, in some cases of serious health complications, there may be no fever with the abdominal pain.
Diarrhoea is very common with stomach pain and is generally caused by viral infection. Most bouts of diarrhoea subside within 3 to 4 days but may take longer also. However, if any blood is noticed in the stool, you must seek medical help.
Your child may complain of stomach pain while urinating. This may be a sign of urinary infection and would require a course of antibiotics.
If your child complains of stomach pain and also develops rashes on the skin, you need to get immediate medical help as it may be scarlet fever, Henoch-Schonlein purpura or other such ailments, which are serious medical issues.
Young boys may report stomach ache but the pain may be in their groin area. This may due to testicular torsion, a condition where testicles entwine or become twisted and the blood supply to the area is cut off. This is a case of medical emergency and needs quick action.
Abdominal pain in kids can be because of a number of reasons. The following diagnosis may be prescribed by your doctor to establish the right cause of the pain:
A physical exam by the doctor will help ascertain the location of the pain. The location of the pain will further help the doctor to determine the exact reason for the pain.
Your child’s urine sample may be taken to check any presence of infection.
The stool test is recommended to check the presence of any bacteria, parasite or even blood.
The doctor may conduct a blood test to check the lead levels, lipase level and also to check the functioning of the liver.
The doctor may also inquire about your child’s medical history and even ask about the family’s medical history, to check any autoimmune and other such disorders.
Various imaging test such as X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan may be advised by the doctor, to check any abnormalities in the internal organs and tissues.
Apart from the above-mentioned tests, the doctor may conduct other tests depending upon the symptoms of your child. These may include a pelvic examination or anal manometry etc.
Usually, abdominal pain in kids can be treated effectively by following ways:
You may take some of the following measures to help your younger one from getting any tummy ache that may result from indigestion, infection or constipation:
Some home remedial measures may provide relief from stomach ache to your child:
The anti-inflammatory and sedative properties of chamomile tea helps relax the muscles and is very effective in treating stomach cramping.
Yoghurt contains good bacteria which is effective in neutralizing stomach aches that are caused due to bacterial infections.
Mint helps to fight harmful bacteria and lemon is effective to deal with constipation. A tea made with lemon and mint is effective in treating stomach pain.
Warm compressions can be applied to the tummy area of your child; the increased blood flow helps to ease the pain.
Ginger is very effective in stomach aches which result from overeating. However, it is not recommended to give ginger to children below 2 years of age.
Honey is also effective in treating stomach problems because of its antibacterial properties. It is not recommended for children younger than one year.
Indulging your child in some outdoor activities helps to relieve constipation and indigestion. The activities such as walking, running, cycling etc are very effective in stimulating the gastrointestinal tract.
Most cases of stomach pains are not serious; however, you should seek medical help for child stomach pain in following cases:
There are many reasons that may cause stomach ache in your child. If you notice that the stomach pain is persistent and does not go away with home remedies, or you notice any worrisome symptoms, it is advised to seek immediate medical help.