Abdominal Pain in Children Causes and Treatments

Causes of Abdominal Pain in Children

It is very common for children to suffer from abdominal pain. The reasons for the same can be something as mild as gases, or as complicated as appendicitis. Abdominal pain can be a symptom of many different conditions and ailments. One of the primary causes is infections caused by viruses or bacteria. These bacteria or viruses result in stomach flu, gut flu, or gastroenteritis. If it’s a viral infection, it will usually be cured on its own, but bacterial infections often need antibiotics for treatment. Diarrhea or constipation can also lead to abdominal pain, however these are often themselves symptoms of another underlying problem. In addition, rather than pain, they tend to cause only short term discomfort and bloating. Some other food related abdominal problems are allergies to a certain food, overeating, and excessive gas production. Small children also tend to eat harmful things like soap or medications not meant for them, causing abdominal pain and other problems. There are also more serious ailments like bowel blockages that cause abdominal pain. Such severe pain must of course be referred to a doctor at the earliest. Kids are also quite prone to suffering from intestinal worms, which can cause abdominal pain and distress. In some cases, the poison from certain insect bites or spider bites can also cause abdominal pain.

Treatment For Abdominal Pain in Children

One needs to be very careful when administering treatment to a child suffering from abdominal problems. Some things you need to keep in mind are that you must not give an infant boiled milk or water, as these can cause serious problems with the blood volume in the body. You can give the child soup or ginger ale instead. An upset stomach usually cannot tolerate milk, caffeine, sports drinks, and carbonated beverages, so you must avoid giving these to your child if he has diarrhea. You must consult a doctor if you child has fever and diarrhea along with the pain. Ginger is one of the best treatments for abdominal pain. You can mix ¼ teaspoon fresh ginger juice and ½ teaspoon honey and give it twice daily to treat abdominal pain, especially if caused by gases or any other problem in the stomach or intestines. Please note that ginger must not be administered to children below two years of age. You can also ease abdominal pain by giving the child lemon juice added to warm water. Lemon helps bowel movements, and a small dose of lemon juice water in the morning is thought to produce more bile in the liver, thereby aiding easy digestion.