Abdominal Pain

Grand Traverse Children's Clinic, P.C.

3537 W. Front St.<= /st1:address>, Ste. G

Traverse City, MI 496= 84

(231) 935-8822

<= /span>

Abdominal Pain

What is abdominal pain?

When your child compl= ains that his stomach (abdomen) hurts, there could be many causes.

Usually stomachaches = are caused by something simple like:

• overeating

• gas pains from drinking= too much soda

• other types of indigestion.

Sometimes a stomachac= he is caused by constipation. A stomachache may also be the first sign of stomach flu (viral gastroenteriti= s) and vomiting or diarrhea will soon follow.=

Stomachaches that keep coming back (recurrent) can have many causes. The most common causes of frequent stomachaches are stress and worries. Over 10% of children have recurrent stomachaches from stress. The pain occurs in the pit of the stomach or near the belly button. The pain is mild but real. If your child keeps getting stomachaches, talk to your doctor.<= /o:p>

How long does it last?

With harmless causes,= the pain is usually better or gone in 2 hours.= With stomach flu, the stomach may hurt before each bout of vomiting = or diarrhea. With serious causes= , the pain worsens or becomes constant.

How can I take care of my child?

Indigestion or ill= ness: If your child has a stomachache from eating or illness, use the following guidelines for treatment:

• Rest: Your child should lie down and rest until he fee= ls better. A warm washcloth or h= eating pad on the stomach for 20 minutes may speed recovery.

• Diet: Avoid giving your child solid foods. Only allow = sips of clear fluids. Keep a vomit= ing pan handy. Younger children a= re especially likely to refer to nausea as "a stomachache."

• Sitting on the toilet: = Encourage your child to sit on the toilet and tr= y to pass a BM. This may relieve p= ain if it is due to constipation or diarrhea.&nbs= p;

• No medicine: Do not give any medications for stomach cramps u= nless you have talked with your health care provider. Especially avoid laxatives, enemas= , and painkillers.

Stress or worry: <= /span>If your child has stomachaches from stress or wo= rries and he has already seen a doctor, these suggestions might ease the pain:

•    Help your child worry less. Children with recurrent stomachaches tend to be sensitive, serious, conscientious, even model children. This can make them = more vulnerable to the normal stresses of life, such as changing schools or moving. Help your youngster t= alk about events that trigger his pains and how he's going to cope with them.

•    Make sure that your you= ngster doesn't miss any school because of stomachaches. These children have a tendency to = want to stay home when the going gets rough.&nb= sp;

•    Teach your child to use relaxation exercises for mild pains. Have him lie down in a quiet place; take deep, slow breaths; and thi= nk about something pleasant. Lis= tening to audiotapes that teach relaxation might help.

•    Caution: Your child should have a complete medical checkup before you conclude that recurrent stomachaches are due to worrying too much.

When should I call my child's health care provider?=

Call IMMEDIATELY i= f:

•    The pain is severe AND = lasts more than 1 hour. =

•    The pain is constant AN= D has lasted more than 2 hours.

•    The pain comes and goes (cramps) AND lasts more than 24 hours.&nbs= p;

•    The pain is in the scro= tum or testicle. <= /p>
•    Your child starts actin= g very sick.

Call during office= hours if:

•    This is a recurrent pro= blem for your child.

•    You have other question= s or concerns. <= /p>
Written by B.D. Schmit= t, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis = or treatment by a healthcare professional.