If a child has a stomach ache, which is a common phenomenon, most parents give antispasmodics or analgesics. But pediatricians claim that self-medication should not be practiced. With uncontrolled medication, dangerous diseases are masked and the real picture of the disease is distorted.
Causes of abdominal pain in a child
Only a doctor can tell why a child's stomach hurts after conducting a diagnosis.
Various factors can provoke epigastric pain (both minor and life-threatening):
- Malfunctions in the digestion process, increased gas formation
- Violation of motility of the gallbladder or intestinal peristalsis
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Food poisoning, food allergies
- Food intolerance (gluten, lactose)
- Helminthic infestations
- Gastritis, colitis, enteritis, enterocolitis, gastroduodenitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Gastric ulcer disease
- Appendicitis, peritonitis
- Cholecystitis, pancreatitis
- Gallstone disease
- Pancreatitis
- Dyskinesia of biliary tract
- Intestinal intussusception
- Intestinal volvulus, intestinal obstruction
- Internal bleeding
- Inflammation in the organs of the genitourinary system
- Stressful situations, emotional experiences
In babies, the main cause of abdominal pain is intestinal colic, gas, intestinal spasms, constipation.
Types of abdominal pain in children
Depending on the cause, epigastric pain is divided into several groups:
- Organic - the result of functional disorders in the organs of the digestive system
- Inorganic - not related to the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, provoked by failures in other organs and systems
- Psychosomatic - arise in the absence of disorders in the functioning of the body, manifest against the background of stress
Stomach aches near the navel
Most often, pains in the navel area are organic and do not pose a health hazard. They are usually caused by intestinal spasms, increased gas formation, indigestion, and defecation problems. But in some cases, there may be more serious reasons: irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, gallstone disease, umbilical hernia, infection. Sometimes, with appendicitis, the pain first appears near the navel, and then moves to the right lower part of the abdomen.
Abdominal pain is accompanied by temperature
Abdominal pain, which is accompanied by an increase in temperature, may indicate inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract (gastroenteritis, appendicitis) or genitourinary (cystitis) system, various infections, including influenza and respiratory infections.
Abdominal pain and vomiting
If a child has a stomach ache and vomiting, then food poisoning, gastritis, gastroenteritis, ulcer, ureterostasis, appendicitis, inflammation of the stomach and intestines, kidney or bladder infections can be the cause of this condition.
Abdominal pain in children can be caused by various reasons — from ordinary bloating to serious conditions that require immediate help. It is important for parents to assess the general condition of the child: to pay attention to the location of the pain, its duration and accompanying symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting or fever. For any alarming signs, consult a pediatrician, because early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment.
Symptoms in which you should consult a doctor
It is necessary to consult a doctor if the child's stomach hurts for more than 2 hours. In addition, the general condition should be assessed and the presence of other symptoms should be clarified.
Make an appointment
You need to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist in case of frequent abdominal pain, as well as in cases where epigastric pain is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, high temperature.
Call the doctor at home
You should immediately call a doctor if:
- acute and sharp pains that intensify;
- pains localized in the lower right part of the abdomen;
- strong continuous vomiting;
- severe diarrhea;
- the presence of blood in vomited or fecal masses;
- pale skin, rashes;
- appearance of cold sweat;
- sharp deterioration of the condition;
- confusion or loss of consciousness.
In the above situations, you can not drag out the time. Delay can endanger the life of the child. Only a specialist, after diagnosis, can establish the cause of pain, assess the child's general health and choose optimal treatment methods that will help to quickly get rid of the disease and avoid dangerous complications.