Anyone who has spent time with a young child knows they frequently complain about stomach aches. Whether it’s from sneaking extra snacks, overeating, or seeking attention, abdominal pain is a common occurrence for little ones. The tricky part is figuring out when to be concerned and when to offer remedies for kids’ stomach aches. How can you tell if it is something serious or just a minor discomfort that will pass on its own?
Children often struggle to describe their aches and stomach pains because they don’t fully understand them. As a parent, it is your job to watch for signs that it might be time to call their pediatrician.
What might be the possible causes of stomach ache in children?
The digestive system is a complex network of nerves and muscles that helps move food through the body. In some children, these nerves are extra sensitive, causing them to feel stomach pain even during normal digestion.
The most common reasons for stomach pain are not eating enough, not using the bathroom regularly, or a mix of both. Sometimes, issues like constipation, heartburn, or a food allergy can be the culprit.
Infections, stress, or lack of sleep can make the nerves in the intestines more sensitive to pain. Sometimes, the issue can be hereditary, meaning it runs in the family and other relatives may have experienced similar problems.
When should you worry about stomach aches in children?
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Constantly complaining about stomach pain:
If your child is complaining about stomach pain more than usual, it might be a sign that the pain is serious. Try distracting them with their favorite movie or game, if that doesn’t help take their mind off it, the pain is likely bothering them a lot.
If the pain is severe and your child can’t be distracted from it, call your doctor. For less severe pain, consider your child’s age. Younger children who can’t explain their stomach pain clearly may need a doctor’s attention sooner than older kids who can describe where it hurts and how it feels, offering some reassurance.
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Pain in the lower right side:
Determining where the pain is coming from is crucial because pain in specific areas can signal a more serious issue. For example,stomach pain in the lower right side of the abdomen, especially if it’s tender to touch, could indicate conditions like appendicitis or, in girls, ovarian torsion, where the ovary twists to cut off its blood supply.
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Pain in the back of groin:
The lower right side of the abdomen isn’t the only area to be concerned about. If the pain spreads to the back or groin, it refers to pain from other parts of the body, like the kidneys, bladder, or urinary tract, and might indicate infections or conditions like kidney stones.
Another warning sign is if urination starts to hurt. If a child complains that it hurts to urinate along with abdominal pain, they may have a urinary tract infection. For boys experiencing groin and stomach pain, check the testicular area for any swelling, pain, or changes in color.
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Vomiting and severe stomach pain:
Vomiting is never easy, but it is something that happens. Some children vomit more often than others, but if they keep vomiting repeatedly, it could be a warning sign, especially if they can’t keep fluids or food down.
In children, this can quickly lead to dehydration, which can be tracked by how much they urinate during the day. If the amount of urine decreases significantly, it could be an early sign of dehydration.
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Having fever and stomach pain:
Kids get fevers, that’s pretty common! A fever is the body’s response to an infection or pain and is often not serious. However, it’s important not to ignore it, especially if it’s accompanied by severe stomach pain.
If a child has abdominal pain and a fever, it could be a sign of an abdominal infection or a kidney or urinary issue. Pneumonia with referred stomach pain may be the cause of upper abdominal pain, fever, and cough. Any combination of fever and abdominal pain should be checked by a doctor. Reach out to a pediatric hospital in Coimbatore if your child is complaining about a stomach ache.
If your child has a fever, stomach pain, is more tired than usual, or has blood in their stool, contact your doctor right away. These symptoms could indicate an infection or even low blood pressure or blood loss.
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Staying bloated and stomach pain:
Stomach pain along with severe bloating could be a sign that your child is severely constipated, which shouldn’t be ignored. This is especially important for children who can’t yet express their pain.
While it might just be a case of mild constipation, it can also be more serious and require medical intervention to remove impacted stool.
Also, keep an eye on any changes in your child’s stool. Signs of serious constipation include hard or pellet-like stools, or blood in the stool, which can be caused by small tears around the anus from constipation or by hemorrhoids.
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Vomiting is in a weird color:
It’s important to keep track of how often your child is vomiting, but also pay attention to the color of it. Green vomit can indicate a blockage in the intestine. If they have already vomited everything else, it is normal to see yellow-green material, but stomach pain and green vomit should never be disregarded and need to be treated right away.
Bloody vomit is another serious sign that something may be wrong. Sometimes, after frequent vomiting, children may bring up blood, which can come from other sources like a nosebleed or a mouth injury from a lost tooth, since blood irritates the stomach. If your child has stomach pain and is vomiting blood, it’s important to consult a pediatrician or go to the emergency room.
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Having blood in their stool:
Even though it may be uncomfortable, it’s crucial to look for any indications of blood in your child’s stool if they have a stomach ache. Blood in the stool can be caused by something minor or more serious. For example, if a child is constipated, straining to pass stool might cause a small amount of blood on the outside of the stool.
However, if the blood is more than just a streak, is mixed in with the stool, or the stool appears black and tarry, it could be a sign of a more serious issue like an infection or inflammation in the bowel. In these cases, it’s important to call a doctor.
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Signs of allergies in stomach:
It might not be surprising, but stomach pain can also be a sign of an allergy, and it’s important not to overlook it. Pay attention to other possible allergy symptoms like hives, dizziness, nausea, trouble breathing, vomiting, or fainting. These could all be signs of a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis.
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They are still young and having stomach ache:
For babies who can’t express their pain, it’s difficult to tell if they have a stomach ache or how severe it might be. Vomiting and diarrhea in a baby under 3 months old should be checked by a doctor right away. The same goes for any fever in a baby this young.
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Recurring stomach ache:
If your child keeps having the same stomach ache repeatedly, whether every few days or every other day, it could be a sign of an underlying issue, even if the symptoms seem mild. Any stomach ache that persists, especially for a week, should be checked by a doctor.
Recurring stomach pain could be linked to issues like constipation, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel diseases, food intolerances, acid reflux, or urinary tract infections, among other causes. If your child appears pale, has a fever, struggles to eat or drink, is unusually tired, or has lost weight, it’s important to schedule a doctor’s visit.
What are the common causes of stomach pain?
Stomach pain in children can have many different causes. Common reasons include viral or bacterial infections in the digestive system. Other factors like constipation, food intolerances, stress, and poor eating habits can also lead to discomfort.
Here are some of the most common causes of stomach issues in young children and teenagers:
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Constipation:
Younger children might not realize that constipation can cause stomach pain. If your child mentions discomfort near their belly button or on the lower left side of their stomach, ask them when they last went to the bathroom or if they’re having trouble going.
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Gas:
Gas pain or indigestion is common in kids of all ages and is often linked to their diet. Fizzy drinks like soda can upset the stomach, especially if your child uses a straw. Foods like beans, spicy dishes, citrus fruits, and caffeine (even in chocolate) can also lead to gas. There are a couple of things you can do for remedies for kids stomach ache, talk to a pediatrician to find the best fit for your child.
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Lactose intolerance:
Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products. The body makes an enzyme called lactase to break it down. People who lack this enzyme have lactose intolerance. When they eat or drink dairy, they might experience symptoms like stomach cramps, gas, diarrhea, or constipation.
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Overeating:
Eating too much of anything, like pizza, popcorn, or chocolate, can lead to stomach pain. Young people often eat quickly and don’t notice they’re full until it’s already too late. Additionally, eating too quickly can be uncomfortable.
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Stress:
Stress or worry can cause stomach pain in kids. If your child often complains of stomach aches without a clear reason, it might be related to stress, especially if the pain keeps coming back. Since kids may not connect their feelings to their discomfort, try gently asking if they’re worried about something or want to talk. They might be facing challenges at school or with friends.
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Milk allergy:
A milk allergy is an immune response to the proteins found in milk and can lead to stomach cramps. It’s different from lactose intolerance.
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Stomach virus:
Bacterial or viral infections can upset the stomach and often spread among kids at school or in shared spaces. Stomach pain is usually the first sign, followed by vomiting and diarrhea within 24 hours.
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Inflammatory bowel disease:
IBD is a group of conditions that cause long-term inflammation in the digestive system. Although symptoms can vary, fatigue, weight loss, diarrhea, and stomach pain are typical.
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Appendicitis:
If your child experiences severe, constant pain on the lower right side of their belly, and even small movements hurt, it could be appendicitis. This condition is more common in older children and teenagers, but it’s rare in kids under 5.
Important Takeaway:
Most stomach aches go away on their own and aren’t serious. However, if your child’s pain lasts or gets worse over three to five hours, or if they develop a fever, severe sore throat, or a big change in appetite or energy, you should contact a pediatric gastro specialist in Coimbatore right away. These may indicate a potentially more severe condition.
