What could it be? What causes it and what you can do to help your child feel better?
If your child gets a pain in their stomach, the actual problem may not necessarily be in their stomach. The abdomen is more than the stomach and more than the intestines. It is actually the whole area between the chest and the pelvic (hip) bones.
Kids might feel belly pain for many reasons.
Constipation. Constipation is one of the most common reasons for abdominal pain. If your child hasn't had a bowel movement for a while or if it hurts to go to the bathroom, it's probably constipation.
Diarrhea. Diarrhea is often referred to as the "stomach flu." It's caused by an infection and is also referred to as "gastroenteritis." If your child has runny, watery bowel movements, they might also feel sick to their stomach. Some kids with gastroenteritis also suffer from vomiting (a double whammy!)
Food. Some kids have stomach pain because of an overindulgence in food. They ate too much, ate food that was too spicy or greasy, ate something they are allergic to, or ate food that is spoiled. The pain is the body's way of saying that the stomach and intestines are having a tough job breaking down or digesting this food.
Infection. Belly pain can also be caused by an infection lurking somewhere else in your child's body, such as an ear infection, cold, urinary tract infection or a blocked intestine.
Appendicitis. If the pain is severe and starts by your child's belly button and then moves to the lower right side of the abdomen, it might be appendicitis. Other signs of an appendicitis include fever, vomiting, no interest in eating, or pain so severe it's hard to stand up straight.
Stress. Stress can cause havoc on sensitive tummies. Some kids have a "nervous stomach" when they are worried or stressed. When kids stress about something, it can cause sharp pain in the stomach.
To prevent bellyaches:
• Don’t let your child overeat.
• Offer fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, so their bowel movements are regular.
• Encourage them to drink lots of fluids, especially water.
• Ensure they wash their hands before eating.
• Encourage sleep so their body doesn’t feel “run down.”
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