What To Give A Child For Stomach Pain

When To See A Doctor

Lets face it: Vomiting is gross and sometimes borderline violent. Since its such a dramatic, unpleasant symptom, it can be tough to gauge the seriousness of the situation. So when should you tough it out at home and when should you call the doctor?

In general, the following warning signs in children mean its time to seek medical attention:

• a fever of 102°F or higher
• severe stomach pain
• refusal to drink fluids
• signs of severe dehydration, such as listlessness, fast heart rate, no tears, or no urine for 6 hours or more

When To See A Professional

So when should you call your childs health care provider? Call immediately if the pain is severe and has lasted more than an hour or its constant and has lasted more than two hours. Or if you are worried about appendicitis or if the pain actually extends into the scrotum or testicles of boys. You may be advised to go to the childrens emergency room for further testing that may not be able to be done in your doctors office to evaluate for those serious causes that may need a surgeon.

So abdominal pain is something that again, we see very often and there are so many things that could cause it. By working with your childs doctor, you can figure out what the cause of the pain is and a plan to help your child.

Diagnosis Of Stomach Pain

The doctor will first ascertain if the pain is due to some infection, food poisoning or allergy. In such cases, tests are not required. But if they suspect some serious ailment, they may suggest

• Blood, urine test, and stool tests

• X-ray of the abdomen

• A CT scan or computed tomography to check the internal organs

• Other specific tests as deemed fit by the doctor

The treatment for the pain depends on the underlying ailment.

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How To Prevent Stomach Ache In Toddlers

If your child constantly complains of stomach pain, you should not ignore it. There must be something wrong in his diet and you need to remedy it. Here are some tips that you can follow to prevent this problem.

Stomach ache is a common problem in kids. If your tot has a stomach ache, make him lie down on the bed in a comfortable position. Lie down next to him and read out his favourite stories to divert his attention. You can also try the remedies mentioned above to provide him relief from stomach pain. However, if these remedies fail to work and your child is unable to move or the pain is accompanied by a fever, take him to a doctor and seek medical attention at earliest.

How Common Are Migraines In Children

Migraine, also called an acute recurrent headache, occurs in about 3% of preschool children, 4% to 11% of elementary school-aged children, and 8% to 15% of high school-aged children. In early childhood and before puberty, migraine is more commonly seen in boys than girls.

Factors that can lead to a headache in your child include:

• Illness or infection
• Short-sightedness or needing glasses

• Food allergies or intolerances such as lactose intolerance or a wheat allergy
• Appendicitis, which is inflammation of the appendix
• Lead poisoning
• Problems with the intestines such as intussusception, where one part of the intestines slides into another part and causes a blockage
• Stress and anxiety

Stomach pain without other symptoms that goes away completely in less than three hours is usually not serious.

A specific illness known as a pediatric abdominal migraine can also lead to stomach ache. It is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. While its called a migraine, it doesnt actually cause a headache. Abdominal migraines are one of the most common causes of abdominal pain in children.

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When Should I Suspect My Child Might Be Dealing With A Food Allergy

Food allergies can present themselves in two forms IgE- and IgA-mediated allergies.

IgE-mediated allergies cause visible reactions when the food comes into contact with your childs skin, mouth, or is eaten. The following reactions are what we would normally expect in allergies:

• Rashes
• Wheezing
• Anaphylaxis

Symptoms of IgA-mediated allergies, on the other hand, are more subtle as the intestinal lining itself reacts to the food your child ingests. Most common foods known to be responsible for allergies include milk, soy, wheat, eggs, fish, or peanuts.

Most children exhibit the following symptoms if they are suffering from food allergies:

• Growth failure
• Recurrent abdominal pain
• Off-and-on pattern of loose stools

If your child starts experiencing any of the above symptoms, your pediatrician may conduct further investigations.

Diagnosis Of Abdominal Pain In Children

When a problem is quite obvious, no tests are needed. If tests are needed, they may include:

• blood tests
• other special tests
• review by a specialist doctor.

If your child does undergo tests, the doctor should explain the results to you. Some results may take a number of days to come back and these results will be sent to your local doctor.

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What Can I Give A Child With A Stomach Ache

If your childs pain has suddenly increased, or he/she is experiencing a very sharp pain which is not getting relieved with your current medications, please call our pediatrician at 011 4211-1111.

Do NOT self-medicate a child suffering from recurrent or chronic abdominal pain. If the childs symptoms exacerbate, you can contact our pediatrician on call at Sitaram Bhartia if needed, who can guide you in the right direction.

Timely diagnosis and treatment of the cause of chronic abdominal pain, can make a significant difference in a childs quality of life and can also prevent problems such as

• poor growth problems in the child
• Anemia
• Vitamin D deficiency, etc.

Diarrhea And Stomach Pain In Children

Diarrhea and stomach pain is commonly caused due to infection. This article deals with the causes, treatment and prevention of abdominal pain in children.

Diarrhea and stomach pain is commonly caused due to infection. This article deals with the causes, treatment and prevention of abdominal pain in children.

Stomach ache is one of the most common ailments observed in case of babies and children. The cause for the stomach ache can vary from minor to life-threatening. However, as the baby or the child is not able to express the type of pain properly, it is difficult to diagnose the condition immediately. Therefore, it is wise to consult the doctor if the child complains of stomach pain. At the same time, it should be remembered that stomach pain, which is accompanied by diarrhea, is a symptom of a severe disorder that will require immediate attention.

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Symptoms Related To Stomach Pain

The symptoms that come with stomach pain vary depending on whats causing the stomach pain.

For example, if the stomach pain comes with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, the problem could be gastroenteritis or food poisoning.

Cramps and general pain might be associated with excess wind and bloating.

Tummy pain that doesnt go away could be constipation or a urinary tract infection. Children with a urinary tract infection, might also have pain when doing a wee, be doing more wees than normal, and might have a fever, be vomiting and feel irritable.

Tummy pain might also be associated with pneumonia or a viral infection. In this case, your child will probably also have a fever, cough and possibly a sore throat.

A sore tummy is more likely to be a sign of something serious if it wakes your child up, or if the pain is in a specific area of the abdomen, away from your childs belly button. For example, in appendicitis, the pain is usually sharp, and the pain often starts in the middle then moves to the lower right section of the abdomen. Your child might also have fever, loss of appetite and vomiting.

With all types of stomach pain, theres a risk that your child will become dehydrated. You should watch for signs of dehydration, including sunken eyes, less wee than usual, lethargy and weight loss. If your child shows these signs, make sure they’re drinking enough fluids.

Treating Symptoms Of Your Child’s Stomachache

• Have the child lie down and rest.
• Don’t give the child fluids for about 2 hours after the last vomiting episode. Then give the child clear fluids such as water or flat soda. Start with just a sip at a time.
• Keep a container nearby in case the child vomits.
• If the child vomits more than once, watch for signs of dehydration, such as decreased urination or dry diapers, dry lips, and crying without tears.
• If you think the child could be constipated, put them on the toilet. Passing a stool may ease the pain.
• Sit the child in warm water to help release a stool if you think the child is constipated.

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Stomach Ache Risk Factors

Risk factors associated with stomach aches in children include:

• Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or depression
• Emotional stress or disturbances
• Traumatic events such as abuse, a motor vehicle accident, or a poor home life
• Prior stomach infections

Some research suggests that eating a diet that is high in junk food may play a role in the onset of stomach aches in children, although more research is needed to determine whether a poor diet can be a risk factor for stomach pain.

Although the risk factors for headaches and stomach aches vary, one of the most common risk factors for both ailments is stress.

There Are Signs Of Allergies With The Stomachache

It may not sound surprising, but stomach pain can also be a sign of an allergy, which isnt something you want to ignore. Watch your child to see if you notice other allergy symptoms, such as hives, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or fainting. Any of these combinations can be collective symptoms associated with a severe allergic reaction otherwise known as anaphylaxis, says Owusu-Ansah. This would be a 911 call.

She adds, If the child has a known allergy and has anaphylaxis and has an epinephrine auto injector available, it should be used immediately to prevent severe illness or death.

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What Helps A 1 Year Old With A Stomach Ache

General suggestions on easing the pain include:

Sudden Stomach Pain In Children

Tummy ache without other symptomsSudden abdominal pain that comes and goes for a few hours is usually a sign of one of two things: gas or an abrupt attack of constipation .

Crampy pain that occurs an hour or two after a meal points to constipation. In this case, a mild laxative such as milk of magnesia may help by softening the stool. If constipation becomes persistent, try boosting fibre intake. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals containing at least four grams of fibre per serving, and veggies like baked sweet potatoes.

Pain relieved by impolite bodily noises implicates gas. Theres little you can do once the wind is underway, but figuring out which foods upset your childs stomach may prevent future blow-ups .

Preventing dehydration is crucial to your childs recovery. Give small doses of mineral-balanced solutions like Pedialyte or Gastrolyte. You want to avoid juices, in particular, because their sugar content is so high, they tend to make the diarrhea worse, Issenman stresses. Hold the Kaopectate or Gravol all that barfing and pooping is natures way of flushing out the infection.

If you suspect your child has a UTI, a simple urine test by your doctor can confirm the diagnosis, and shell receive antibiotics so the infection doesnt spread to the kidneys. Cranberry juice is also a useful remedy, and avoiding bubble baths and wiping front to back, especially after bowel movements, may foil future flare-ups.

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What Are The Symptoms And Signs Of Stomach Pain In Children

A parent or caregiver usually can notice pain in a child’s abdomen. Infants and very young toddlers may cry, express pain facially, and curl up. Young children are usually quick to tell you what is wrong. Some teenagers may be reluctant to report pain, and you must try to get a clear explanation of what they are feeling. Ask about these conditions:

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• CT scan of the abdomen

Is It Normal For A 3 Month Old To Have Stomach Pain

Luckily, theyre not usually caused by anything serious. They can be painful, though, so its good to have soothing strategies on hand. It can happen for many reasons. Colic usually happens in babies under 3 months old. Doctors arent sure why babies get colic, but they think it may make the intestines tighten painfully.

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Does Drinking Water Help Stomach Pain

Treatments for an upset stomach

Drink plenty of liquids, but do so in small amounts water is a good choice. Sports drinks and coconut water help replenish electrolytes, which can help if you experience vomiting. Try clear, carbonated, and caffeine-free beverages such as tonic water, club soda, or ginger ale.

Stomach Flu And Dehydration

How can I prevent dehydration?If your baby or child has had several bouts of vomiting or diarrhea, he or she will need to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.

If you are breastfeeding, continue to give your baby breastmilk. Breastmilk has fluids and electrolytes needed to prevent dehydration. Your doctor may also want you to give your baby an oral rehydration solution .

If you feed your baby formula, try switching to one that is lactose free while your baby is sick. Lactose can make diarrhea worse. Your doctor may also suggest switching from formula to an ORS for 12 to 24 hours, and then switching back.

For toddlers and young children, use an ORS, which contains the right mix of salt, sugar, potassium and other nutrients to help replace lost body fluids. Children older than 1 year may also have clear soups, clear sodas or juice mixed with water to help prevent dehydration. You should avoid giving your child plain water and dark sodas. Water alone does not contain enough salt and nutrients to help with dehydration. Dark sodas are typically very high in sugar and can irritate your childs stomach.

Signs of dehydration

• Little or lack of urine, or urine that is darker than usual
• Urinating less frequently than usual
• Thirst
• Irritability
• Dry mouth
• No tears when crying
• In babies who are younger than 18 months old, sunken soft spots on the top of their heads
• Skin that isnt as springy or elastic as usual
• Sleepiness

What is an ORS?

Should I feed my child when he or she has diarrhea?

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Stomach Pain Around The Belly Button

Stomach pain around or near a child’s belly button is usually nothing to worry about. It’s one of the most common stomach pain complaints among kids.

“Children often rub their bellies when they hurt and complain about general pain around the belly button,” says Dr. Mehta. “This type of stomach pain is typically caused by stress or eating something that didn’t quite agree with them.”

If your child is complaining about stomach pain near the belly button, you can:

• Encourage them to lay down and rest
• Check to see if they need to poop
• Offer a glass of water
• Try distracting them by reading a book together or playing a quiet game

Four Common Causes For Your Childs Tummy Ache

Has your child ever come to you and said, Mom/Dad, my tummy hurts?

You may wonder, Did they eat something that didnt agree with them? Have they pooped today? Figuring out whats going on inside their belly can sometimes feel like an episode of The Good Doctor.

While you may have a cast-iron stomach, your little one might not. Most children will complain of a stomachache at one time or anotherand not all will be digestive related. So, how do you know whether its something that will just pass or will require medical attention?

Although there are serious disorders that can cause abdominal pain, usually your childs stomach pain is something less worrisome. We dive into four common reasons for your childs tummy ache and ways you can put their stomach and mind at ease.

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