What causes abdominal pain?
There could be many reasons why your child complains of stomach (abdominal) pain. Most cases of stomach aches are caused by overeating, consuming too much carbonated drinks, or other types of indigestion.
In some cases a stomach ache occurs due to constipation, and can also be an initial indication that your child has stomach flu. The aching will soon be followed by vomiting and diarrhea.
Generally pain that occurs as a result of overeating, consuming too much soda or other harmless reasons, subsides within one or two hours. However, with serious cases, the pain worsens and becomes persistent.
What causes recurring stomach pain?
Your child may experience recurring stomach aches for several reasons; stress being the most common. In fact, more than ten percent of children experience recurrent abdominal pain due to stress. The pain is mild and occurs in the pit of the stomach or near the belly button. If your child continues to complain of stomach aches, contact our office.
Ways to take care of a child experiencing abdominal pain:
- Allow your child to rest until he/she feels better. Applying a warm washcloth or heating pad for 20 minutes may relieve the pain sooner.
- Avoid giving your child any solid foods. Instead, allow them to sip clear liquids. Smaller children may also refer to nausea as a stomach pain, so you should also have a vomiting pan readily available.
- If the stomach ache is due to constipation or diarrhea a bowel movement may relieve pain. Simply encouraging the child to go sit on the toilet and try to pass a bowel movement may lead to some relief.
- Avoid giving your child any medication, such as laxatives, painkillers or enemas, unless you have talked with their physician.
You should call our office:
IMMEDIATELY if the pain:
- is severe and lasts more than an hour
- is constant and lasts more than two hours
- comes and goes and lasts more than 24 hours
Also call us immediately if the pain occurs in the scrotum or testicle or if your child appears very sick.
Call us during office hours if the pain is recurrent or if you have any questions and or concerns.