Pain in the stomach in children

Pain in the stomach in children - signs of the most common diseases among newborns, children of middle and senior school age. And although these pains may differ in nature from mild to extremely painful, the vast majority of them quickly pass. And is not a symptom of something more sinister than gases or indigestion. And sometimes these pains can be symptoms of gastritis or ulcers. It is necessary to understand the symptoms in order to distinguish the serious causes of pain in the child's stomach from frivolous ones.

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Causes of stomach pain in children

"Pain in the stomach" - this term is used to refer to all kinds of pain experienced in the upper abdomen - but those who have suffered pain in the stomach, knows that one abdominal pain can be quite different from the other. The pains associated with the stomach may be located in the abdomen high under the ribs or low in the abdomen. It can be perceived as spasms and gurgling, to be acute and slow, viscous.

Understanding what causes different types of pain in the stomach will help to provide the child with comfort and to ease his pain more quickly.

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Colic

The common cause of stomach pain in children under six months of age is colic. They are described as unexplained abdominal pain experienced by healthy babies at the age of 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 abdomen suffer from gas as well. This is their reaction to malnutrition or poor-quality food.

In young children, gastric colic may be a consequence of lactose intolerance (milk sugar), which is found in breast milk. Or the cause of colic in newborns may be the transition to artificial nutrition. The vast majority of children outgrow this condition in 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. As a heartburn and in adults, GERD causes increased activity of the movement of digestive juices, which cause burning in the upper abdominal area under the chest and lead to serious discomfort.

Symptoms of GERD include pain in the stomach, which leads to child crying. Children with GERD, as a rule, can experience this condition frequently or from time to time. If you suspect a GERD child, consult your doctor who can recommend tests to diagnose the condition.

Gastritis

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

What causes gastritis?

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

Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) : a bacterium that lives in the mucous membrane of the stomach. Without treatment for this infection, gastritis can lead to an ulcer.

Anemia: a form of anemia that occurs when the stomach lacks the natural substances necessary for proper digestion and absorption of vitamin B ₁₂.

Gallbladder reflux: a reverse flow of bile that passes into the stomach from the bile ducts.

Infections caused by bacteria and viruses.

If gastritis in a child is not treated, this condition can lead to a serious loss of blood and may increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.

Constipation

Constipation is often the cause of pain in the area of the stomach, which suddenly appear and just as abruptly leave. Small children - especially those who are already accustomed to the toilet - often suffer from constipation when they perform defecation when they are told by adults, and not when they are called by nature.

Constipation can cause abdominal pains that are concentrated around the left side of the abdomen. An additional symptom is nausea. The increase in fiber and fluid in the children's diet will bring relief with constipation.

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Diarrhea

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

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

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Worms

Infection with round worms can lead to pain in the stomach if the infection is out of control. Pain in the abdomen, caused by worms, is accompanied by bloating and excessive gas. This condition can also cause seizures and, possibly, diarrhea. The disease caused by worms may not go away after treatment with home remedies. If the child has a stomach ache because of worms, you must first determine what kind of parasites, because for each of their species used different types of treatment.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, or better known as "gastric 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 spastic abdominal pain and severe pain under the ribs due to the contracting stomach. The best way to relieve the pain in the stomach in a child is to drink a small sip of clean water, rest more and take paracetamol for pain and inflammation.

Indigestion

Pain in the stomach in a child, which the doctors qualify as acute and strong, and also aggravated with deep inhalation, arise, as a rule, due to an upset stomach. Stomach upsetting is one of the main causes of stomach pain in children. They arise, usually due to overeating, when children eat too fast or drink too much carbonated drinks or juices. Then you need a bottle of hot water in the abdomen - this should provide a quick relief of pain in the child.

Anxiety and stress

Pain in the stomach, associated with anxiety or stress, is most common in children aged 5 to 10 years. These pains in the stomach are often felt as "butterflies in the stomach" or diarrhea-like symptoms. Suffering from this type of stomach pain, a child can often sit on the toilet for a long time to get relief. Pain in the stomach in children due to stress, usually disappears, as soon as the source of stress is eliminated or for the child the importance of what is happening decreases. Therefore, the best thing you can do for your baby, to ease his pain, is to help the child solve the problem, help the child cope with a source of anxiety.

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Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance causes bloating, gas and diarrhea. These symptoms worsen as the child continues to eat dairy products. To relieve pain in the stomach, at least temporary, the baby needs rest, warmth and enough 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 area of the stomach, associated with infection of the urinary tract, is usually very strong. An additional symptom may be frequent and painful urination. 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 diseases. Appendicitis can be a fairly rare cause of pain in the area of the stomach in a child, and if you suspect that your child is suffering from this condition, you should immediately consult a doctor. Abdominal pain caused by appendicitis may become stronger for several hours. Pain in appendicitis is concentrated in the lower right part 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 with stomach pain in a child?

Most cases when the stomach hurts, are not symptoms of a disease more serious than the accumulation of gas, but there are cases when the abdominal pain should not be ignored. Contact your doctor if:

• The stomach pain in a child is strong and does not last more than 2 hours
• Pain in the stomach worsens with active movements
• Pain in the baby's stomach occurs regularly
• Pain in the baby's stomach occurs often
• Pain in the stomach in a child is accompanied by a fever
• Pain in the abdomen or stomach area is accompanied by a rash, or the baby is very pale
• Pain in the stomach leads to vomiting with blood or green secretions
• The child has black streaks in the feces
• A child experiences pain when urinating
• The child has severe pain in all areas of the abdomen
• The boy experiences pain in the groin, scrotum or testicles

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

Pain in the stomach in a child is a symptom that can not be ignored. Therefore, parents should carefully consider this and in time turn to a gastroenterologist or therapist.

What should I do if my baby has a stomach ache?

Ask the child to lie down quietly for 20 minutes. The position of lying on the back with bent knees is the best for alleviating the pain in the area of the stomach.

Place a toweled bottle of hot water or a heated wheat bag in the area of the stomach to help alleviate the pain.

A few sips of clean water can help alleviate the pain in the baby's stomach. But be careful, although it is not worth giving your child too much and too fast to drink, as this can worsen the pain and can lead to vomiting.

Gently and slowly massage the abdomen of the child clockwise - it follows the direction of the digestive system. These manipulations can help calm the pain in the area of the stomach.

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

Offer the child to sit on the toilet as much as he needs. Seated child on the toilet is an effective way to release painful gases.

It is very important!

Do not give the child any medications to relieve the pain in the stomach without consulting a doctor. Laxatives can make the stomach pain worse, disrupt the bowel. Painkillers can mask more serious symptoms and make the diagnosis ineffective.