Stomach aches and abdominal pain in kids are no fun for children and parents alike! KidsStreet Urgent Care has all the details on causes, symptoms and treatment for abdominal pain and stomach aches in kids.
Symptoms of Abdominal Pain in Children
While stomach aches and abdominal pain can indicate other conditions, it can be hard to tell if that’s what your child is dealing with. Finding the problem can be especially difficult if your kiddo is young or has a limited vocabulary.
Here’s what to look out for to determine if your child has a stomach ache:
- Frequent bowel movements or diarrhea
- Clutching or holding the stomach
- Nausea or vomiting
- Gassiness
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Poor appetite
- Increased fussiness in babies
Is your child struggling with a stomach ache? KidsStreet can help! We offer treatment for abdominal pain and stomach aches in kids through our urgent care services.
What Causes Stomach Pain in Children?
Stomach aches and abdominal pain bother all of us at one point or another. But what exactly causes these ailments?
Common causes of stomach pain in kids include:
- Indigestion
- Food allergy such as lactose intolerance
- Stomach viruses
- Constipation
- Functional abdominal pain
- Anxiety or stress
- Eating overly-spicy or greasy foods
- Food poisoning
If your little one experiences frequent stomach upsets, you should look out for more serious conditions. These can include irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal obstruction or appendicitis, and in rare cases, inflammatory bowel disease. If you believe any of these conditions are affecting your child, call your doctor or seek medical care promptly.
Treating Stomach Aches and Abdominal Pain in Kids
You can treat most general stomach pain at home! KidsStreet recommends trying the following home care remedies to get your child feeling better fast:
- Over-the-counter medications like Children’s Emetrol or Pepto Bismol.
- Try a bland diet like BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast).
- Make sure your child is drinking plenty of clear liquids, especially if they are throwing up or having diarrhea.
- Use stool softeners and eat fiber-rich foods to help with constipation.
- Use a heating pad around the location of the pain.
For more frequent stomach aches, try adding a probiotic into your child’s daily vitamins! This can help quell abdominal pain and keep their gut healthy.
If your child has been throwing up or having diarrhea for more than 24 hours, they may be dehydrated. You should seek medical care to make sure they get proper fluids.
When Are Stomach Aches Serious?
You don’t need to worry too much about a stomach ache here and there. However, there are a few cases that could mean your child’s pain indicates something more serious.
If your child complains of pain more than a few times a month, it may be an underlying condition. This is especially pertinent if you have a family history or have family members that deal with stomach issues.
Symptoms of more serious conditions include:
- Significant or unexplained weight loss
- Blood in the stool
- Difficulty passing stool
- Vomiting blood
- Extremely bloated abdomen
Take extra care in looking out for appendicitis. This condition usually begins with a sudden, sharp pain around the belly button area. Appendicitis often comes with nausea, vomiting and extreme abdominal pain. If you believe your child has appendicitis, visit your provider as soon as possible.
Turn To KidsStreet Urgent Care
Is your kiddo suffering from a tummy ache or abdominal pain? Have no fear, KidsStreet is here!
To visit one of our kid-focused clinics, register online. You can wait from your vehicle or at home until our providers are ready to see you.
Forget to register? Don’t sweat it! We accept walk-ins all day, every day.
We recommend registering ahead of your visit as it reduces in-clinic wait times. Walk-ins join the same queue as those who register online.