Tummy Aches in Children

When a child complains of a stomach ache, the main fear of parents is: what if it’s appendicitis? Of course, appendicitis is indeed a rational fear, as there seems to be no known cause and it has been shown as a possibly fatal inflammation.

But before you worry yourself to death, understand that not all tummy aches can be appendicitis. There are in fact many other possible reasons why your kid is complaining of a tummy ache, some of which you can treat, while others are simply ones you have to wait out and prevent the next time. You can consider the following as other possible causes of the tummy ache that might be ailing your little one:

1. Gas is among the major causes of tummy aches, especially in kids who might gulp in too much air, usually from eating too fast. Experts have also noted that stress seems to result in gas, especially emotions like fear and anger. Once he gets to pass the gas, he should be fine. Children generally are not prescribed medication for passing gas, but if it becomes a common problem, consult your pediatrician. In any case, training your child to eat slowly and properly may help him avoid swallowing too much air as he eats.

2. Indigestion may also be a culprit. Since it may not be possible to cure the indigestion once it happens, knowing some ways to prevent it from happening again may spare you a lot of headaches in the future. You can help your child by improving his intake of probiotics over the next few weeks. Yogurt is a good source of the healthy bacteria that helps improve digestion. Fortunately yogurt now comes in many fruity flavors that little ones enjoy. You may also check if your child is chewing his food properly. If you notice him gobbling up his food too fast, it might cause him to have improper digestion. Stop him and ask him to slow down and chew properly. Food supplements containing zinc may help improve digestion too. Share your concerns with your pediatrician and ask for his recommendation of vitamins and dietary supplements for your child.

3. Another possible cause is full bowels. Has your child moved his bowels yet? Did it seem sufficient based on his regular routine? Perhaps you might notice that the last bowel movement he had was a little less compared to usual; this might indicate constipation. If you think he is constipated, give him plenty of fluids and try to increase his fiber constipation over the next few days. You can add more fruits or whole-grain items into his diet. Oatmeal is a good source of fiber, as well as whole-grain cereals that you can serve him for breakfast. During the time when he still hasn’t moved his bowels, you can refrain from giving him fried food. If the problem persists, consult your doctor. There are laxatives designed for children but they are usually prescribed and not over-the-counter. Helping your child develop healthy habits of regular bowel movement may help, too, as it assures you that his intestines are regularly cleared.

4. Sometimes, the pain may come from microorganisms in his tummy, and your doctor will be able to diagnose it properly. If the stomach ache is accompanied by loose bowels or diarrhea, your doctor will most likely require a stool exam. If ever diarrhea happens, just make sure to keep your child well-hydrated, and check that it does not continue for more than a day or two. Sometimes a child may have diarrhea for less than a day if he had eaten something that upset his stomach, but any longer than that should be referred to your doctor.

Technically, pain from appendicitis occurs on the lower right quadrant of the stomach. In any case, if your child’s tummy ache seems to persist or comes on and off a lot, it may be best to consult your doctor so he can check other possible causes of the pain. Anything that bothers you should be enough cause to bring it up with your doctor, and he will help you find the best way to deal with your child’s tummy ache.