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Child is a surprise box, one hour he is playing all happy and bouncy and a few minutes later he is complaining about some pain. It is headache, foot pain, toothache and the most conventional, which is belly pain. But after all, why does so much abdominal pain occur in children? What are the reasons?
There are so many times that we hear of stomach ache that can seem trivial, but believe me there are so many reasons for it to happen that it is not always something that simple. Of course, most cases are resolved easily and without major concerns , but it is worth watching each signal to detect the problem in fact. In 80% of the cases found in a waiting room of the pediatric emergency room, the main symptom reported is stomach pain, so we will know what are the main reasons for this annoying little pain to happen.
Very natural in childhood, colic caused by gas is one of the main reasons for stomach pain in children. It usually happens due to the immaturity of the digestive system or even by foods that increase the production of these gases as is the case of beans. Colic is a very recurrent problem especially in babies and can be alleviated through an abdominal massage or with the help of antiflatulent remedies, of course prescribed by the pediatrician as well as its dosage.
The second most recurring reason that causes stomach ache in children is overeating or the famous “weekend crap”.We always try to follow a healthy menu, not offering fatty, sugary and non-nutritious foods, but escaping sometimes or going over the weekend or other is inevitable, isn’t it? Who has never caught a children’s birthday marathon the same weekend? Anyone’s intestines complain when we overeat on food and that includes children too. So if the child has exaggerated the amount of treats, the belly may complain, or if he has eaten some spoiled food, the pain will be inevitable accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. The way to soften is to offer lighter foods, lots of fluids and wait for the body to eliminate everything that has done wrong!
Worms can also cause stomach ache in children . This is a very common cause in ancient times and more unusual today, since it is more normal to be caught by the contact of land and contaminated water, but it must always be investigated. Recurrent abdominal pains should be reported to the pediatrician to request a stool test that will detect the presence or absence of worms. If so, the treatment will continue through the deworming prescribed by the pediatrician, as well as its dosage. Belly pain in children may be the result of anxiety, fear, stuck intestinesand in more isolated, but not ruled out, cases of inflammation of the appendix. That is why it is important for each sign and symptom to be observed and in case of fever and nausea, prompt attention is sought immediately. As they say, it is better to sin from overzealousness than from lack of it !!
How to Diagnose and Treat Belly Pain in Children
The diagnosis is made through the pediatric consultation, where information is requested such as where it hurts, what the pain is like, the location and when this pain happens. Symptoms that come with stomach pain in children is also valuable information and should be reported in detail to the doctor. During the consultation, the doctor will touch the entire abdomen in order to detect the problem and notice something different. Treatment will be indicated as needed and will suit the symptoms that are accompanying the belly pain. In the vast majority of cases, the use of painkillers is enough to ease the discomfort. However, no child should be medicated and treated without a prescription and without really knowing what is happening. The use of inappropriate medication may aggravate the case.
See also: Worms in Children – What to do?
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
