Stopping Stomachaches

                                             Stomach Ache in Kids

No parent wants his or her child to deal with tummy troubles. However, stomachaches are an all-too-common problem for little ones.

Often starting as small, dull throbs and transitioning into sharp cramps, stomach pain or abdominal pain can be felt from the chest to the groin, according to the United States National Library of Medicine. Cramps, diarrhea and vomiting are all symptoms of stomachaches that can be triggered by several different causes, including:

• Constipation
• Emotional distress
• Food reactions
• Infection
• Irritation and inflammation

While many stomachaches are minor and short lived, some causes of stomach pain can be more severe and/or chronic and include conditions such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, hernias,intussusception and irritable bowl syndrome.

Tummy Treatments

When deciding how to handle your child’s stomachache, take note of the severity and the duration of the pain and its affect on his or her daily life. If the pain doesn’t go away, worsens or seems unbearable, it is important to seek help from your child’s primary care provider. However, if the symptoms are milder, there are several things you and your child can try at home, including:

• Serving mild foods in small portions
• Rest. If needed, limit strenuous activities such as soccer practice for a week or two.
• Fueling up on clear fluids such as water or Sprite®
• Over-the-counter medications like child-safe antacids (but do so after discussion with your primary care provider). Avoid giving your child medicines like ibuprofen and Aleve® on a regular basis as they could be gastrointestinal irritants.

Stop It Before It Starts

Help prevent your child’s stomachaches before they occur by incorporating a few healthy habits into his or her daily routine.

A snack or meal may be delicious, but too much of a good thing can be bad. Tell your child to pay attention to how his or her stomach feels, and encourage him or her to stop eating when full.

Also incorporate more fiber into your child’s diet to help regulate his or her digestive system. Check the expiration dates on products already in your kitchen to keep your family away from food that may be carrying bad bacteria.

Lastly, teach your child to keep his or her hands clean to prevent the spread of germs that cause stomach viruses and reduce the risk of catching a stomach bug.