"My tummy hurts!" This common childhood cry can mean almost
anything, from anxiety about school to acute appendicitis. It's usually
not serious. But how do you know when your child needs a doctor's
attention?
"Determine the
severity of the pain. If the child is complaining about stomach
pain, but is still playing, laughing and eating, chances are it's
nothing serious," says Dr. John Andersen, chief of Gastroenterology
at Children's Medical Center Dallas and professor of Pediatrics at
UT Southwestern. "If the child is complaining about very severe
pain and is not doing these things, as he or she normally does,
have the child seen by a doctor right
away."
Here are three good reasons to take a troubled
tummy to the doctor at
once:
1. Severe pain that starts near the navel and spreads to
the lower right part of the belly. This can mean
appendicitis.
2. Belly pain with
blood in either the vomit or
stool.
3. Green liquid vomit. This could be bile, a
sign of torsion - a twisting of intestines that must be treated
quickly.
One common problem,
gastroenteritis, looks like an emergency but usually isn't.
Usually caused by a virus, it strikes fast and hard with abdominal
pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Most cases ease up quickly. But if it
doesn't - or if your child exhibits dehydration, a bloated abdomen or
an altered mental state - see the
doctor.
"Dehydration is serious, and requires treatment,"
Dr. Andersen adds. "Watch out for decreased fluid intake,
decreased urine output and a decrease in the production of
tears."
For many children, however,
stomach pain is a result of constipation, which may be defined as
infrequent elimination of large or hard stools that cause pain when
passed. Common causes of constipation are an inadequate intake of
fluids and diets high in fats (because they move slower through the
gastrointestinal tract). Simple dietary manipulations often can
correct the problem. Infrequent constipation is a normal phenomenon;
however, chronic constipation that lasts longer than three weeks
should be referred to a
pediatrician.
When in doubt, call your pediatrician. For minor
problems, ask about over-the-counter remedies that might ease
discomfort and treat or prevent dehydration.
For more
information
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