Surprising Possible Causes For Your Child's Tummy Ache
As a parent, one of the most common complaints you will hear from your child over the next 18 years is that they have a tummy ache (or stomach ache when they get older and no longer use the term "tummy"). While you may think that a stomach ache is only a sign of stomach flu or faking-it syndrome, there are several other potential causes of your child's stomach pain. To better understand what possible ailments your child is suffering from, learn some of the possible causes of your child's stomach pain and get them to a pediatric doctor as soon as possible for treatment.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
Particularly when your child is young, a "tummy ache" or generalized abdominal pain can be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTI's are infections that occur when bacteria enters your child's urethra (urinary tract).
The common symptoms of such an infection include frequent or painful urination, abdominal and lower back pain, or even severe fever and chills. If your child is complaining of abdominal pain and also has any of the other common symptoms, you should take them to the pediatrician right away.
This is particularly true if your child has a fever or the chills. These symptoms may indicate that the UTI has spread to the kidneys. A kidney infection can be serious, requiring hospitalization and intravenous (IV) medication.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is another common cause of stomach pain among children. Generally speaking, the abdominal pain that is indicative of appendicitis is localized to the lower right abdomen and is a sharp, wince-inducing pain.
Additional symptoms include nausea, vomiting, a lack of appetite, and a fever. When your child experiences sharp, lower abdominal pain along with other indicative symptoms, fast action is necessary. Left untreated, appendicitis can cause your child's appendix to burst.
Food Allergies
If your child seems to complain of stomach pains on a regular basis, frequently after a meal, he or she may be suffering from an undiagnosed food allergy. Pay special attention to what your child has had to eat or drink before they complain of stomach pain.
If there is any consistency in what they have consumed prior to stomach pains, you have two options. You can perform a trial run in which you leave a possible allergen out of your child's diet to see if it makes a difference in their stomach pain complaints, or you can take your child to an allergy specialist to get tested for food allergies.
When it comes to your child's stomach pains, there are many possible causes. Visit a clinic, such as Ada Pediatrics PA, and pay special attention to the circumstances surrounding your child's stomach pains and the other symptoms they are experiencing to help you determine the underlying cause and the appropriate course of treatment.
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