Stomach aches and abdominal pain in kids is very common and can be caused by a multitude of factors. Viruses, infections, food allergens, and many more issues can cause stomach pain.
What Are The Symptoms?
Stomach aches and abdominal pain causes discomfort in the midsection area. Anywhere below the neck and above the pelvis is considered abdominal pain, and many factors can contribute to this. Aside from the general pain, children may also experience:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Gassiness
KidsStreet Urgent Care includes diagnosis and treatment of stomach and abdominal pain in our pediatric urgent care services for children.
What Are The Common Causes Of Stomach Aches?
Although many factors can contribute to your child having a stomach ache or general abdominal pain, a few issues directly cause this.
The most common causes of stomach pain include the following:
- Constipation
- Stomach virus
- Indigestion
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Anxiety
- Appendicitis (This will be more sharp, sudden pain).
- Obstruction
How To Treat Abdominal Pain In Children
Oftentimes, abdominal pain in kids will resolve itself within a few hours. However, for those stubborn pains that won’t seem to go away by themselves, it is wise to treat their symptoms at home.
Home remedies for stomach aches include:
- Over-the-counter medications (Children’s Tylenol, Children’s Motrin, etc.).
- Giving your child a probiotic.
- Drinking plenty of clear fluids.
- Eating bland foods (crackers, toast, applesauce, etc.).
- Using stool softeners to help with constipation.
- Using a heating pad on the affected area.
Other Complications of Abdominal Pain
Sometimes abdominal pain is not at all related to the stomach and can result from a more serious condition. If your child is experiencing abnormal pain in their abdomen, you may need to take them to a medical provider. Here’s what it could mean if your child has pain in these areas:
Pain In The Upper Abdomen
If your child is experiencing pain in their upper abdomen, this could mean they are struggling with a few different ailments. These issues can include:
- Gallstones
- Heartburn/Indigestion
- Stomach ulcers
- Pancreatitis
Pain In The Middle Abdomen
If your child is experiencing pain in the middle of their abdomen, it can mean a number of things. A few issues that can cause this consist of the following:
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Digestion issues
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Constipation
- Kidney Stones
Pain In The Lower Abdomen
Pain in the lower abdomen can be caused by:
- Pelvic pain
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Constipation
- Appendicitis
- Groin pain
When To Know If Abdominal Pain Is Serious
It can be easy to overlook your child’s abdominal pain, but sometimes it can be severe.
You should seek medical attention if:
- Your child is experiencing stomach pain for 24 hours or more.
- Your child’s pain increases steadily.
- Vomiting persists for more than twelve hours.
- Diarrhea persists for more than two days.
- Your child is experiencing sharp, sudden abdominal pain.
- Your child is unable to pass a stool.
- They are vomiting blood, or there is blood in their stool.
- They have a fever of over 100.4 degrees.
- They are experiencing weight loss.
How To Reduce Stomach Aches and Abdominal Pain
Stomach aches can put a real damper on your child’s day, so how do we avoid them?
Best practices for reducing stomach aches and abdominal pain in children include:
- Eating healthy foods.
- Ensuring your child has regular bowel movements.
- Taking daily vitamins and probiotics.
- Avoiding “trigger foods.”
Turn to KidsStreet Urgent Care
If your child is experiencing stomach aches and pains, KidsStreet Urgent Care is here to help. We highly recommend registering online before coming into the clinic.
We accept walk-ins, but please note registering online reduces in-clinic wait times.