Repeat Attacks Of Stomach Pain
Some children suffer repeat attacks of stomach pain, which can be worrying for parents. Often, no health problem can be found.Children may feel stomach pain when they are worried about themselves or people around them. Think about whether there is anything that is upsetting your child at home, school or kindergarten, or with friends. See your local doctor for advice. A referral may be needed to a paediatrician .
When Should I Call My Child’s Doctor
- Your child has abdominal pain that wakes him or her up at night.
- Your child has pain on his or her right side that does not go away.
- Your child has a fever.
- Your child has new mouth sores, trouble swallowing, or is losing weight without trying.
- Your child is not drinking liquids, and he or she is not urinating.
- You have questions or concerns about your child’s condition or care.
How To Use Polisorb
At the first signs of distress, mix 1 tablespoon of Polisorb powder with ¼ cup of water or any other clear liquid and drink. Want to jazz that water up with some lemon? That’s OK, too.
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When your son or daughter has a stomachache, it can be hard to pinpoint the exact problem. Kids don’t always have the right words to say, “Mom! I’m bloated!” or “Dad, I think it was that fourth slice of pizza!” When your little one needs support, pay close attention to his or her symptoms, keep them comfy and turn to this roster of tried-and-true remedies for help.
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Peppermint Tea To Relieve Stomach Pain
For more generalized pain relief, try peppermint tea, or even sucking on a candy cane if youre feeling festive. Peppermint leaves contain menthol, a natural analgesic known to help nausea and upset stomachs. Whether you get it from a candy, tea, chewing on the leaves, or sniffing some extract, peppermint can alleviate stomach pain and any accompanying nausea.
- Add one teaspoon of dried peppermint to one cup of boiling water.
- Steep for five to 10 minutes before straining.
- Add a dab of honey for taste.
- Or, chew on one fresh peppermint leaf throughout the day.
Treatment And Care For Abdominal Pain In Children
Treatment for abdominal pain depends on whats causing the pain. Sometimes the treatment could be as simple as letting the child rest without any medicine for stomach pain for the child. In some instances, the pediatrician can also recommend that the child take fluids and stick to a bland diet. Depending on the cause, other situations may also require specific medicine for stomach pain for a child, hospitalization, and surgery.
If your child is experiencing abdominal pain, there are several things you can do to ease their pain, including the following:
- Make sure the child has enough rest.
- Help the child to drink lots of clear fluids like water or juice.
- Avoid forcing the child to eat if they are unwilling.
- If the child is hungry, give them bland food like rice and bananas.
- Place a hot water bottle on the childs tummy to try and ease the pain .
- If the pediatric abdominal pain is too much, you can give the child paracetamol.
What do you think about the causes of abdominal pain in children? Has your child experienced such symptoms before, and if yes, how did you deal with them? If your child is having stomach pain and you are not sure whats causing the pain, feel free to contact us or bring them in if its an emergency.
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Yogurt + Other Probiotic Foods
If your little one needs to go but can’t, yogurt and other foods full of probiotics can help.
Probiotics are live bacteria that, when ingested, can help bolster the good bacteria in your child’s gut microbiome. Some evidence suggests that regular probiotic usage in kids may lead to more frequent and consistent bowel movements, too.
How To Stop The Vomiting
Theres no single surefire way to halt puking in its tracks. The sad-but-true reality: The best course of action is usually to simply let an illness run its course.
In fact, though it might be tempting to reach for medication for a vomiting child, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against using any over-the-counter or prescription anti-vomiting drugs in kids .
Using antibiotics to treat throwing up is especially discouraged, as many stomach illnesses are caused by viruses, not bacteria.
Typically, the more important goal is to make sure your child stays hydrated throughout their bout of sickness. As they lose fluids through throwing up, giving them plenty to drink is your best bet.
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Home Remedies For Your Childs Upset Stomach
When youre watching your kid upchuck for the fourth time in an hour, its only natural to want to do something. But with medications more or less off the table as a treatment, are there any ways you can actually help your poor sick kiddo? Yes to a degree.
As mentioned, staying hydrated is the name of the game for bouncing back from gastrointestinal ailments.
To keep your baby hydrated, offer breast milk or formula at least 15 to 20 minutes after vomiting has subsided. Even if they only take in a small amount of liquid, thats OK. Continue to offer frequently.
For toddlers and older kids, you have more options for hydrating drinks. Besides water, you can try offering:
- popsicles
- ginger ale
- nonsugary electrolyte beverages
In addition to providing fluids, focus your energy on offering appropriate foods, especially as your child recovers. A diet of mild, easily digestible foods is best. These may include:
- non-acidic fruits like bananas, melons, and figs
- lean meats without added seasonings
- rice or mashed potatoes
- toast, crackers, or plain cereal
- breast milk or formula for babies and toddlers
And what about probiotics, you may wonder? The most current research shows that the good gut bugs dont do much to help kids get over stomach flu.
According to a 2018 study, probiotic supplements didnt affect the duration or severity of acute gastroenteritis in children.
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
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Symptoms Of Abdominal Pain In Children
A parent or caregiver usually can tell when a child has abdominal pain. Infants and very young toddlers may cry, have painful facial expressions, and curl up. Young children usually will be 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. Symptoms to ask about are discussed on the following slides.
A Stomachache Worries Doctors When
1. The pain is severe. By severe, I mean that the child cannot be distracted from it and is crying or otherwise showing that they are extremely uncomfortable. Any severe pain warrants a trip to the doctor, whether its unrelenting or it comes and goes.
2. There is blood in the stool. Most of the time, we see blood in the stool with constipation, which is usually not serious and can be easily treated. But a bad stomachache with blood in the stool can be a sign of a serious infection, inflammatory bowel disease, or another intestinal problem. So, any time your child has a stomachache and blood in the stool, give your doctor a call to be on the safe side.
3. The child vomits blood. As with blood in the stool, this isnt always a sign of something serious. Children who have been vomiting a lot can sometimes vomit some blood, and children who have nosebleeds, or bleeding from a lost tooth or some other problem of the mouth, may vomit that blood back up. But as with blood in the stool, any stomach pain with vomiting blood requires a call to the doctor.
4. There is green vomit. Green vomit can be a sign of a blockage in the intestine. Sometimes people vomit some yellow-green material when they have vomited up everything else, but stomach pain and green vomit should never be ignored.
8. The child says it hurts to urinate. Sometimes a stomachache can be a sign of a urinary tract infection.
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Treatment For The Stomach Flu
Most babies and kids wont need treatment for the stomach flu. Theres no specific treatment for the viruses that cause it.
Unless your doctor recommends it, dont give your child antidiarrheal and anti-nausea medications. Although it doesnt seem like it, some diarrhea and throwing up can be good because its part of getting rid of the virus.
Your doctor might recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to make your child more comfortable.
You can give babies over the age of 6 months pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Ask your pediatrician about the exact dosage. Too much pain relief medication can make babies ill.
Never give aspirin to babies and children. Aspirin and children dont mix. It can lead to a condition called Reyes syndrome.
Several home remedies can help make your baby or child more comfortable while dealing with the stomach flu.
- Let the stomach settle. Avoid feeding your baby or child solid food for a few hours.
- Give older children frozen juice treats or ice chips. This helps to prevent dehydration.
- If your baby is throwing up, wait 15 to 20 minutes before giving them any liquids. Try nursing your baby if they want to feed. Drinking milk may help hydrate your baby its OK if they throw up some or all of it right after.
- Try using as syringe to give babies small amounts of liquids if they dont want to nurse or bottle feed.
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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Keep Your Child Hydrated
One of the simplest natural remedies for tummy aches is fluids and lots of them. Hydration is vital to a smoothly running digestive tract, so sit down with your child for a “Doc McStuffins” marathon and keep track of their fluid intake.
Keep in mind, not all drinks are created equal when it comes to easing your child’s abdominal discomfort. Stick to plain water for the best results. The fizz in carbonated beverages can cause gas. Sports drinks are helpful in some instances, particularly if your little one has lost electrolytes.
How Is The Cause Of Abdominal Pain In Children Diagnosed
Your child’s healthcare provider will ask about your child and check his or her abdomen. He or she will want you or your child to describe where the pain is and when it started. The provider may ask if the pain wakes your child or stops him or her from doing daily activities. Describe anything that seems to make the pain better or worse. Your child may need any of the following:
- A smiley face scale may be shown to your child. A smiling face is no pain, and a sad face with tears is very bad pain. Your child will be asked to point to the face that matches what he or she feels.
- Blood, urine, or bowel movement samples may be tested for signs of an infection, disease, or injury.
- X-ray pictures of your child’s abdomen may show an injury or other cause of the pain.
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Drink Prune Juice To Relieve Stomach Pain
Stomach pain from constipation tends to radiate from the lower part of your abdomen and sometimes features a periodic shifting or gurgling feeling accompanied by a temporary spike in pain.
When constipation is your cause, consider a glass of prune juice or another type of laxative. If effective, you can expect to experience sudden relief.
What Can I Do To Help Manage My Child’s Abdominal Pain
- Take your child’s temperature every 4 hours, or as directed. A fever may be a sign of a condition that needs to be treated.
- Have your child rest until he or she feels better. He or she may need to take more naps than usual during the day. Do not let your child play with other children if he or she has a contagious illness, such as the flu.
- Ask when your older child can eat solid foods. You may be told not to feed your child solid foods for 24 hours.
- Give your child an oral rehydration solution , as directed. ORS is liquid that contains water, salts, and sugar to help prevent dehydration. Ask what kind of ORS to use and how much to give your child.
- Apply heat on your child’s abdomen to help with pain or muscle spasms. You can apply heat with an electric heating pad set on low, a hot water bottle, or a warm compress. Heat should be applied for about 20 to 30 minutes or as long and as often as directed. Always put a cloth between your child’s skin and the heat pack to prevent burns.
- Keep track of your child’s abdominal pain. This may help your child’s healthcare provider learn what is causing the pain. Track when the pain happens, how long it lasts, and how your child describes the pain. Include any other symptoms he or she has with abdominal pain. Also include what your child eats and drinks, and any symptoms that develop after he or she eats.
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How We Care For Abdominal Pain In Children
Our Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition works with parents and children to relieve many kinds abdominal pain and provides access to more specialized gastroenterology services than any other hospital. If your child needs specialized care, our expertly trained team will work with your family and each other to develop an individualized treatment plan.
What To Give Your Child For A Tummy Ache
Dr. Aniruddh Setya – Genexa Healthcare Provider & Partner on August 2, 2021
One of the most common complaints kids make is having a tummy ache. Stomach pain can come in many different forms, from slight but tolerable discomfort to intense burning or cramping. About 10%15% of school-age children report episodes of recurrent pain. Another 15% experience pain but do not go to the doctor for it. Oftentimes, tummy aches in kids are not a cause for serious concern. However, there are some instances in which you should call your doctor to seek medical attention for your child.
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When Should My Child See A Doctor
Most children will have a sore tummy / abdominal pain at some point. Mostly, it wont be a serious illness, but, if a baby or child has any of the following, you should take them to the doctor or hospital emergency department as soon as possible:
- severe abdominal pain
- pain that is made worse by movement
- pain that wakes them from sleep
- pain that comes and goes, or that doesnt go away, or that is getting worse
- pain and a fever
- problems passing urine
- pain when they pass urine
- they are pale, sweaty and lethargic
- they are tired and listless
- for more than 24 hours
- lots of diarrhoea
- signs of dehydration thirst, sunken eyes, drowsy, dry lips and tongue
- a skin rash as well as pain
- fewer than 4 wet nappies per day if they are a baby
- pain or swelling in their groin or testicles in a boy
Go straight to the hospital emergency department if there is:
- vomit that is green or bloody
- poo that is black or red , including bloody diarrhoea
Their Vomit Is A Weird Color & They Have Stomach Pain
Not only do you want to pay attention to how often your child is vomiting , but youll also want to note the color of it. Green vomit can be a sign of a blockage in the intestine, says Owusu-Ansah. Sometimes people vomit some yellow-green material when they have vomited up everything else, but stomach pain and green vomit should never be ignored and is an emergency.
Bloody vomit is also a sign that something may be seriously wrong. Children who have been vomiting a lot can sometimes vomit some blood. Children can have blood in their vomit from other sources such as a nosebleed or bleeding in the mouth from a lost tooth, as blood is an irritant for the stomach, says Owusu-Ansah. Stomach pain and bloody vomiting needs a consult with at least the pediatrician or primary care physician if not the emergency department.
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