Stomach ache in kids is frequent and might have many causes. Often, stomach ache goes away with out remedy. In some circumstances, the ache has an underlying trigger and can want specialised remedy.
Stomach ache can happen wherever between the chest and the groin. A toddler might really feel localized ache in a single space, a extra generalized in a bigger space, or cramp-like ache.
Stomach ache is frequent in infants, infants, and youngsters beneath the age of 12, and it could actually have many causes.
This text will define some causes of stomach ache in kids, different signs a toddler may expertise, and when a toddler ought to see a physician.
There are a lot of causes of stomach ache in kids. The commonest causes are brief time period and resolve with out medical intervention.
Causes of stomach ache in kids include:
Constipation
If a toddler has
Learn how to treat constipation naturally here.
Trapped wind
Extra frequent in infants than older kids, trapped wind may cause ache. Caregivers can help a baby get rid of wind by way of burping or passing fuel.
Learn more about trapped wind and how to treat it here.
Gastroenteritis
Viruses, comparable to rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, and enterovirus,
Learn more about stomach flu here.
Stomach trauma
Kids usually stumble upon issues, fall, or grow to be injured throughout sports activities. In the event that they damage their stomach, they might expertise ache in that area.
Learn more about abdominal tenderness here.
Meals poisoning
This occurs when a toddler ingests meals that incorporates dangerous germs, usually on account of poor preparation and storage. Signs are just like gastroenteritis.
Learn about the differences between a stomach virus and food poisoning here.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS):
IBS is a situation that impacts the big gut, or colon, and results in signs comparable to constipation, diarrhea, and abdomen bloating.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of IBS here.
Lactose intolerance
Some kids might have an intolerance to the sugar, or lactose, in milk and can’t digest it. Kids with lactose intolerance might
Learn more about dairy alternatives here.
Colic
Colic is frequent in infants and seems to be very painful for infants. One other symptom of colic is wind.
Learn about colic in adults here.
Urinary tract infections (UTI)
These are extra frequent in older kids and trigger signs comparable to pain when urinating, frequent urinating, and fever.
Intussusception
When a part of the bowel slides into one other, like a telescope, it could actually trigger a blockage that forestalls the conventional stream of solids or liquids. Kids with intussusception might have intermittent extreme ache, bleeding from the underside, and lethargy. Intussusception is a critical situation and requires medical consideration.
Learn more about intussusception here.
Incarcerated hernia
When an organ or physique tissue bulges by way of a weak spot within the stomach wall, it could actually get trapped. It is a medical emergency. If blood stream is lower off, inflicting tissues to die, it’s a strangulated hernia.
Learn what some hernias look like here.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is the irritation of the appendix, which is within the lower-right space of an individual’s stomach. It’s a medical emergency. A burst appendix will be life threatening.
Learn more about identifying appendicitis here.
Testicular torsion
When a testicle rotates and twists the spermatic twine, a boy may really feel ache within the stomach space and the affected testicle.
Learn more about testicular pain here.
Ingestion of a overseas physique
Most often, when a toddler swallows an object, it’ll make its approach by way of the gastrointestinal tract and go out of the physique unassisted. Nonetheless, swallowing small gadgets, comparable to button batteries or magnets, may cause life-threatening problems, and a toddler ought to go to the hospital instantly.
Learn what to do if someone has food stuck in their throat here.
Menstruation
Some kids assigned feminine at start might expertise stomach ache once they have a interval. This is named dysmenorrhea.
Learn about menstrual cramps here.
Docs will often use a mix of questioning and exams to find out the reason for stomach ache in kids.
A physician may look at a toddler by urgent on their stomach in other places and on the lookout for tenderness and swelling. They could additionally ask if the ache will get extra intense once they contact sure areas.
A physician might also advocate exams to find out the trigger, comparable to:
Learn more about abdominal ultrasounds here.
A physician might describe it as RAP when a toddler experiences not less than three episodes of ache over 3 months. The ache should be extreme sufficient to impression the kid’s day by day actions. RAP is just not a prognosis however a descriptive time period that may assist docs discuss with the scenario whereas figuring out the right prognosis.
Frequent stomach ache in kids might be on account of an underlying situation.
Typically the ache will be psychosomatic, which means that it could have hyperlinks to a toddler’s psychological well being, worries, or feelings. Folks ought to converse with their baby’s physician if their baby has repeated abdomen aches.
Most often of stomach ache, a toddler will get higher with no need remedy.
If an individual is caring for a kid with stomach ache, they should:
- make sure the baby rests
- give the kid ache reduction however be sure that it’s acceptable for the age and weight of the kid
- encourage the kid to drink loads of clear fluids, comparable to water, diluted juice, or oral rehydration resolution
- give the kid bland meals to eat, comparable to bananas, toast, or crackers
- sit them on the bathroom, as passing a stool might assist with the ache
If a physician diagnoses an underlying situation, they may advocate particular therapies for that situation.
Folks ought to contact a doctor relating to their baby’s stomach ache if the kid:
- has extreme or worsening ache
- has a fever or chills
- turns into pale and sweaty
- has been vomiting longer than 24 hours
- refuses to eat or drink
- has blood in their stool
- is just not passing urine or producing fewer than 4 moist nappies per day
- develops a pores and skin rash
A physician might ask the kid or their caregiver questions on their stomach ache.
Questions might embody:
- When did the ache start?
- What was the kid doing on the onset of the ache?
- When was their final bowel motion?
- Have there been modifications to their urine?
- Does the ache come and go, or is it fixed?
Answering these questions and conducting exams might assist the physician diagnose the reason for the stomach ache.
Learn about abdominal migraine in children here.
Most youngsters will expertise stomach ache in some unspecified time in the future, and more often than not, it’s nothing to fret about. Usually, kids don’t require particular remedy for stomach ache, and the ache will resolve itself with house treatments and relaxation.
There are a lot of completely different causes of abdomen ache in kids. The commonest causes are constipation, trapped wind, and gastroenteritis.
Most circumstances of stomach ache will resolve themselves with out remedy. If the ache is extreme or sudden, a caregiver ought to contact a physician to find out the trigger.
A physician will often ask questions and do a bodily examination to achieve a prognosis.
