Abdominal Pain In Children

Children are prone to bellyaches for a number of different reasons. It can be difficult to gauge how serious the pain is and where it is actually coming from in younger children. Abdominal pain can occur from just eating too much candy or from a serious issue like appendicitis. The hardest part of treating a bellyache is trying to figure out what caused it.

Some of the more common abdominal pains in children are because of a virus or flu bug they have picked up. Nausea and vomiting are often accompanied by a bellyache. A mild fever may indicate a virus of some type. These can usually be treated at home and are not a cause for concern. Most of the time these bugs are gone within a day or two. If a child has a high fever, over 102 Fahrenheit and is vomiting more than once an hour, a call to the doctor is warranted.

Kids are not always the best eaters and may not understand the harm of eating old food or too much food. Food poisoning usually results in a bellyache and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting. Most cases of food poisoning will run their course without any medical intervention. In the cases of bad meat, it is imperative to seek medical care. E-coli can be deadly if not treated. If you know the cause is because of a candy binge then TLC is all that can be done in these situations.

Constipation will cause abdominal pain as well. Constipation also leads to excessive gas and bloating, which may be very painful. This can usually be treated at home with a high fiber diet and plenty of water. Children’s diets should be watched carefully to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition their growing bodies need. At least one serving of raw fruits or vegetables every day can help reduce the risk of constipation. Greasy foods should also be limited.

Kids who are very active may pull muscles without even realizing it. Climbing on a jungle gym or riding a bike may pull muscles in the abdominal area. This type of abdominal pain should subside within a couple of days. A heating pad or warm bath can help relax the muscles and provide pain relief. Tylenol can also be used if the child is too uncomfortable.

Ingesting chemicals will cause a severe stomach ache along with vomiting or nausea. If you know your child ingested some type of cleaning solution or other chemical it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Poison control may be able to provide some assistance. All cleaners and toxic materials should be stored out of reach of any child of any age.

Every child will experience some kind of abdominal pain. The severity of the pain will let a parent know how serious the situation is. Younger children who are inconsolable because of an aching belly should be taken to a doctor to be checked out.

In our fast paced world today, children do not get the nutrition, they need to keep a healthy digestive system. Packing lunches and ensuring children are eating balanced meals can help cut down a majority of the causes for bellyaches. Fast food and soft drinks are a big cause of constipation and gas among children. Moderation is the key to keeping a digestive system functioning properly.

Most bellyaches can be treated at home and do not require a visit to the doctor. There are several over the counter medicines that can be used to treat the common bellyaches a child suffers from. A light diet that consists of dry toast, soup, and jello can help make a bellyache feel better as well.