The healthy post was provided by The Chester County Hospital and Health System. To learn more about our CHOP Pediatric Care affiliation, please visit our website.
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Any
school nurse can tell you that bellyaches are common in children, but
what causes the discomfort? More often than not, these tummy issues just
take a little investigating to determine a common factor that induces
repeat pain.
Check
out some likely sources of stomach pain, tips to ease the discomfort,
and key clues that may prompt you to visit your pediatrician.
Likely Causes
Stress & Worrying
Most
of the time, your child is probably upset about something and may not
know how to share that with you – whether they really have a bellyache
or not. Stress and worrying can cause real upset stomachs, so try to see
if pain pops up around the same set of circumstances – like getting
ready for school in the morning or heading to soccer practice.
This
may point you in the right direction of what is causing so much worry,
and you can ease your child’s anxiety once you know what is causing the
stress. Make an appointment with your pediatrician if you can’t pinpoint
the problem.
Bowel Habits
Irregular
bowel movements serve as another culprit for stomach pain. Children can
have anywhere from three bowel movements a day to three each week, so
it is important to familiarize yourself with your child’s pattern. The
size, consistency and frequency of stools will help determine if
constipation is causing the discomfort. Constipation is especially
common if you are introducing new foods or potty training. Try to
gradually incorporate more fiber-rich foods into your child’s diet, like
whole wheat and fresh fruit.
Diet
It’s
difficult to constantly monitor what your child is eating, but making
sure your child has regular eating habits is important. Overeating is a
major cause of bellyaches, so encourage your child to eat slowly and to
stop when full. Limiting chewing gum and carbonated drinks may be
another good idea if you notice that these things cause pain for your
little one. Swallowing air can cause pain and swelling in the abdomen.
Food Allergies
Besides
bringing on scary rashes and tight throats, food allergies can cause
upset stomachs, too. Try to determine if pain occurs after eating
certain foods. Keep the food out of your child’s diet for a few days,
and give it in small doses next time. Monitor your child’s reaction, and
if a bellyache is not far behind, talk to your pediatrician about the
suspected allergy.
How to Help
So if your child complains of a bellyache, what can you do? Here are some ideas to ease the discomfort:
- Have your child rest; most symptoms will disappear within 30 minutes
- Encourage sipping clear fluids, such as broth, tea or diluted fruit juice
- Give a foot massage or scratch your child’s back to put distract from the pain
- Try to have your child pass a stool
If that doesn’t work, remember these tips:
- Give small meals throughout the day instead of a big lunch and dinner.
- Have your child try rice, dry toast or crackers.
- Do not give spicy foods or drinks with caffeine or carbonation; these will make the pain worse.
- Always talk to your doctor before giving medication.
What Makes Stomach Pain “Serious?”
- Pain persists for 24 hours
- Pain is localized to one area or moves around distinctly
- Belly looks swollen or feels hard
- Fever or chills
- Refusing to eat or drink
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Skin rash with pain
Most
moms can agree that complaints of stomach aches accompany times of fear
or anxiety, but it is important to recognize the signs of severe pain.
Remember to talk to your child’s doctor about any recurring problems. By
monitoring usual patterns, you will be able to better decipher a true
emergency from just not wanting to go to soccer practice.
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