Stomach pain in children

Stomach pain in children is a symptom of the most common illness among newborns, middle school and high school age children. Although these pains can vary in nature from mild to extremely painful, the vast majority of them quickly pass. And it is not a symptom of anything more sinister than gas or stomach upset. And sometimes these pains can be symptoms of gastritis or ulcers. It is necessary to understand the symptoms in order to distinguish serious causes of stomach pain in a child from non-serious ones.

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Causes of stomach pain in children

"Stomach pain" is a term used to describe all types of pain experienced in the upper abdomen, but anyone who has experienced stomach pain knows that one abdominal pain can be very different from another. Pain associated with the stomach can be located high in the abdomen under the ribs or low in the abdomen. It can feel like cramping and gurgling, sharp and slow, and lingering.

Understanding what causes different types of stomach pain can help you get your child comfortable and relieve pain more quickly.

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Colic

A common cause of stomach pain in children under six months is colic. It is described as unexplained abdominal pain experienced by healthy infants almost from birth. Colic is diagnosed in about 20% of all infants. In addition to the fact that this pain is extremely unstable, children with colic in the abdominal area also suffer from gas. This is their reaction to improper nutrition or poor-quality food.

In young children, colic may be a result of lactose intolerance (milk sugar), which is found in mother's milk. Or colic in newborns may be a result of the transition to artificial feeding. The vast majority of children outgrow this condition within five months.

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the causes of stomach pain in infants. It is also called heartburn. Like heartburn in adults, GERD causes increased activity of digestive juices, which cause a burning sensation in the upper abdomen under the rib cage and lead to severe discomfort.

Symptoms of GERD include stomach pain that causes the baby to cry. Babies with GERD may experience this condition frequently or occasionally. If you suspect your baby has GERD, talk to your doctor, who may recommend tests to diagnose the condition.

Gastritis

Gastritis is an inflammation, irritation or erosion of the stomach lining. It can occur suddenly (acute pain) or gradually (chronic pain).

What causes gastritis?

Gastritis can be caused by stomach irritation due to excessive consumption of spicy foods, chronic vomiting, stress, poor diet, eating dry food, or taking certain medications such as aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs. It can also be caused by any of the following:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): A bacterium that lives in the lining of the stomach. Without treatment, this infection can cause gastritis to develop into an ulcer.

Anemia: A form of anemia that occurs when the stomach lacks the natural substances needed to properly digest and absorb vitamin B ₁₂.

Bile reflux: The backflow of bile that passes into the stomach from the bile ducts.

Infections caused by bacteria and viruses.

If left untreated, gastritis in a child can lead to severe blood loss and may increase the risk of stomach cancer.

Constipation

Constipation is often the cause of stomach pain that comes and goes suddenly. Young children - especially those who are toilet trained - often suffer from constipation when they have bowel movements when adults tell them to, rather than when nature calls.

Constipation can cause sharp abdominal pain that is concentrated around the left side of the abdomen. An additional symptom is nausea. Increasing fiber and fluids in a child's diet will provide relief from constipation.

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Diarrhea

Intestinal cramps and gurgling in the abdomen, as well as stomach discomfort, are the most common types of stomach pain in children that accompany diarrhea. Diarrhea can occur due to viral and bacterial infections, as well as food poisoning and parasites.

Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to other symptoms that may indicate a more serious condition of the child. To treat stomach pain in a child, which is accompanied by diarrhea, a gentle massage and a warm bag of salt on the stomach are used. And means that fix.

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Worms

Roundworm infestation can cause stomach pain if the infestation gets out of control. Stomach pain caused by roundworms is accompanied by bloating and excessive gas. The condition can also cause cramping and possibly diarrhea. The disease caused by roundworms may not go away after treatment with home remedies. If your child has stomach pain due to roundworms, you must first determine what kind of parasite it is because different types of treatments are used for each type.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, or more commonly known as “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” occurs after an attack of a viral or bacterial infection. The abdominal pain that comes with stomach pain is usually accompanied by vomiting and/or diarrhea. Additional symptoms may include cramping abdominal pain and a sharp pain under the ribs due to the contracting stomach. The best way to relieve stomach pain in a child is to sip clean water, get plenty of rest, and take paracetamol for pain and inflammation.

Indigestion

Stomach pain in a child, which doctors classify as sharp and severe, and which is also aggravated by deep breathing, usually occurs due to an upset stomach. An upset stomach is one of the main causes of stomach pain in children. They usually occur due to overeating, when children eat too quickly or drink too many carbonated drinks or juices. Then a bottle of hot water in the abdominal area is needed - this should provide quick relief to the child's pain.

Anxiety and stress

Stomach pain associated with anxiety or stress is most common in children aged 5 to 10 years. These stomach pains often feel like “butterflies in the stomach” or diarrhea-like symptoms. When suffering from this type of stomach pain, a child may sit on the toilet for long periods of time to get relief. Stomach pain in children due to stress usually goes away once the source of stress is removed or the importance of the situation decreases for the child. Therefore, the best thing you can do for your child to relieve his pain is to help him solve the problem, help the child cope with the source of anxiety.

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Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance causes bloating, gas, and diarrhea. These symptoms get worse as your baby continues to eat dairy products. To relieve stomach pain, even temporarily, your baby needs rest, warmth, and plenty of time on the toilet. The best and only way to get rid of this type of stomach pain is to eliminate lactose from your baby's diet.

Urinary tract infections

Pain in the stomach area associated with a urinary tract infection is usually very severe. Frequent and painful urination may be an additional symptom. Urinary tract infections can also cause nausea, vomiting, and fever. If you suspect that your child has a urinary tract infection, you should see a doctor.

Appendicitis

When it comes to abdominal pain, appendicitis is definitely one of the most dangerous conditions. Appendicitis can be a fairly rare cause of stomach pain in a child, and if you suspect that your child is suffering from this condition, you should immediately contact a doctor. Abdominal pain caused by appendicitis can become more severe over several hours. The pain of appendicitis is concentrated in the lower right side or middle of the abdomen. Appendicitis in a child can cause nausea and vomiting, as well as fever.

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When to see a doctor if your child has stomach pain?

Most cases of stomach pain are not symptoms of anything more serious than gas, but there are times when abdominal pain should not be ignored. See a doctor if:

• The child has severe stomach pain that does not go away for more than 2 hours
• Stomach pain gets worse with active movements
• Child's stomach pain occurs regularly
• Stomach pain in a child occurs frequently
• Stomach pain in a child is accompanied by fever
• Pain in the abdomen or stomach area is accompanied by a rash, or the child is very pale
• Stomach pain leads to vomiting with blood or green discharge
• The child has black stripes in his stool
• The child experiences pain when urinating
• The child has severe pain in any part of the abdomen
• The boy experiences pain in the groin, scrotum or testicles

Who should I contact if my child has a stomach ache?

Stomach pain in a child is a symptom that cannot be ignored. Therefore, parents should pay close attention to this and consult a gastroenterologist or therapist in time.

What to do if a child has a stomach ache?

Ask your child to lie quietly for 20 minutes. Lying on your back with your knees bent is the best position to relieve stomach pain.

Place a hot water bottle or heated wheat bag covered with a towel on the stomach area to help relieve pain.

A few sips of plain water can help ease a child's stomach ache. But be careful though, and don't let your child drink too much too quickly, as this can make the pain worse and may lead to vomiting.

Gently and slowly massage your baby's belly in a clockwise direction - this is the direction of the digestive system. This manipulation can help soothe pain in the stomach area.

Make your child lemon tea sweetened with a couple of spoons of honey. This warm drink will help relax the contracting abdominal muscles. Weak ginger tea is also very effective in relieving abdominal pain, but most children will not want to drink it because of its specific taste and smell.

Encourage your child to sit on the toilet for as long as he or she needs. Sitting on the toilet is an effective way for a child to pass painful gas.

This is very important!

Don't give your child any medicine to relieve stomach pain without consulting a doctor. Laxatives can make stomach pain worse and disrupt bowel movements. Painkillers can mask more serious symptoms and make diagnosis ineffective.