Stomach Pain in Children

Tummy pains are one of the most frequently complained about problems in children. There are many causes attributed with it, and it is a challenge for the parent or the medical doctor to find out the exact problem. Sometimes the stomach pain calls for immediate attention and may also be a case of urgent situation. The causes may be associated with food or the cooking and storage, infections, poisoning, insect bites, etc.

Stomach Pain in Children: Bacteria and viruses are responsible in case of stomach pain caused by infections. Gastroenteritis and stomach flu are a few of the examples of infections that may cause stomach aches. Gastroenteritis is the inflammation and irritation of the stomach and the gastrointestinal passage. Extra care should be taken by travelers, as the food and drinks can be contaminated at new locations and can lead to traveler’s having diarrhea. Stomach pain due to viral infections ward off quickly, but bacterial infections require the intake of antibiotics. In both the cases, some children recover very fast by sickness and excreting. In case of diarrhea, excess drinking fluids should be given to the child avoiding dehydration.

Food related Stomach aches in Children can be caused as a result of food poisoning, gas production, overindulgence food ingestion eating too fast and food allergies. Problems because of food poisoning are short-term and can cause bloating. Symptoms of food poisoning are nausea,sickness, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. More often than not these symptoms surface within a few hours to two days of consumption of contaminated food. Depending on the severity chill, fever, bloody stools, or damage to the nervous system can follow.

Stomach Pain in Children: In case of a group of people that consumed the contaminated food, this example is known as an outbreak. Over two hundred diseases are recognized to be transmitted via food. Food can be poisoned because of toxic agents or infective agents. Infective agents are parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Toxic agents are uncooked food, exotic foods, and poisonous funghi. Food can get contaminated because of handling by unclean workers at the local restaurant too. Parents should check out the hygiene and should visit a trusted restaurant. Specific foods could cause the irritation, for instance diary products could cause lactose intolerance. If so, the child is allergic to certain foodstuff or drinks and swallowing even a small amount can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, cramping, and skin rash. Since these items are harmless otherwise, such form of allergic reactions are often known as hypersensitivity or allergic reaction . From time to time the signs and symptoms might be life threatening and are generally known as anaphylactic shock or anaphylaxis.

Stomach Pain in Children: Poisoning can be caused by overdose of medicines as well as due to eating non-food stuffs,garden dirt,household soap or bleaches . Insect bites such as Some spider bites,Bee or wasp Stings,Mosquito Bites, can also lead to pain within the abdomen. It may be accompanied with muscle cramps, weakness, sickness, tremor, vomiting and in severe case it may cause faintness, respiratory problems, and chest pain. Also, the heart rate and blood pressure increases.

Stomach Pain in Children: In incredibly uncommon cases, stomach pain could be due to appendicitis. This is a result of blockage and inflammation of tissues. Juvenile children have a higher rate if complications are considered and should be instantly rushed to the hospital. The pain starts gradually in the abdomen, specifically near the belly button. The pain shifts slowly to the right side of the lower abdomen within a time period of over twenty four hours. Unmistakable symptoms are abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, fever and loss of appetite. Diabetes may also be a reason of abdominal pain.

Small children more often than not curl up, cry and express pain through facial expression. Some children are going to be unwilling to talk, but the parent should attempt to get clear explanation of the problem. Together with close monitoring of the signs or symptoms, studying the location of pain, pain duration, nature of sickness, and urinary problems will help. After that a pediatric should be consulted who can further refer to a gastroenterologist. Until help is reached, the child must be made to rest. Often, lying with face in downward direction can relieve pain due to gas. In case of sickness and diarrhea, fluids must be given continually. Solid food should only be given when the child is comfortable about eating it. Read more Happy Child Guide

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