Abdominal pain in children: what helps?

If your child suffers from abdominal pain, there can be various reasons. In our article you will find out what causes abdominal pain in your child and when abdominal pain indicates a serious illness.

When children often have stomach pains, parents are often unsure: Where is the stomach pain coming from? Is it really a stomach ache or is my child suffering from something else? Is abdominal pain dangerous? It is difficult to interpret abdominal pain, especially in young children who cannot yet describe what is wrong with them. The following descriptions of abdominal pain can help you to classify them.

Abdominal pain in children with a physical cause

If your child’s abdominal pain tends to occur in the upper and lower abdomen, the following physical causes can be decisive:

  • Flatulence: Babies in particular often suffer from abdominal pain as a result of flatulence in the first few weeks. A hard and bloated stomach indicates this. This is not unusual and is partly due to the fact that your baby’s intestines first have to learn to work and digest independently. If your baby suffers from such so-called colic, you can give him relief with special carrying techniques, such as the fly grip, or gentle massages . You can find more information and tips in our special “Babies’ Flatulence” .
  • Constipation: Children who have just become dry – or are about to become so – often postpone going to the potty . This causes feces to build up in the intestines, which can eventually lead to abdominal pain and constipation. So make sure that your child goes to the potty regularly and promote their digestion through plenty of exercise and a healthy diet.
  • Germs and dirt: Toddlers are particularly curious and will put anything and everything in their mouths – dirt and germs included. In the worst case, this can trigger infections in your child, which can result in abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. Parasites, such as worms, can also get into your child’s intestines and cause abdominal pain. You can tell whether your child is affected by worms, for example, by looking at their bowel movements, as the worms are excreted with them. If so, be sure to see a doctor. Corresponding infections and parasite infestations are usually harmless, but still have to be treated.
  • Food intolerance and allergies: If your child gets stomach pains and possibly diarrhea after eating certain foods, this can indicate a food intolerance or allergy . This is not uncommon nowadays, many people and children, for example, cannot tolerate milk or wheat because they suffer from lactose intolerance or celiac disease. If you suspect this, make sure to have your child tested by a doctor. This is the only way you can be sure and know which foods cause stomach pains in your child.
  • Appendicitis, inguinal hernia or bowel invagination: If your child suddenly experiences severe abdominal pain, you should consult a doctor immediately, as this can indicate appendicitis or an inguinal hernia. An invagination of the intestine, in which the intestine shifts, can also be possible.

Always see a doctor if you have severe abdominal pain

Severe, sudden abdominal pain in your child is generally a warning sign, especially if the following symptoms are added:

  • Fever
  • Vomit
  • Blood in urine and stool
  • Weight loss, no weight gain
  • severe diarrhea

In such cases, you should always see a doctor as soon as possible . Never try to treat your child yourself with tablets or suppositories. Depending on the diagnosis, this can mean an additional risk for your child.

Abdominal pain in children with no physical cause

In school children in particular, in many cases there is no physical cause for abdominal pain. In this case, doctors speak of functional abdominal pain. This functional abdominal pain is caused, for example, by school stress or fear, for example of other children who annoy your child. This form of abdominal pain typically occurs in the sensitive area around the belly button. In the case of psychological stress, the muscles can cramp here and thus lead to discomfort. This abdominal pain usually goes away on its own when the child is no longer exposed to the stress, for example during the school holidays when school stress subsides.

What to do with functional abdominal pain?

If your child often suffers from abdominal pain in the navel area, this can indicate psychological causes. Talk to your child about their problems and fears, cheer them up and try to distract them with games or their favorite food, for example. Relaxation techniques can also help. If nothing helps and the abdominal pain keeps coming back, you should definitely talk to your pediatrician. A psychologist or tutor can also be a good contact.

When to see the doctor for abdominal pain in children?

Abdominal pain in your child can have many causes. They are often harmless and go away on their own. Mild, irregular abdominal pain does not necessarily need to be treated by a doctor. However, if the abdominal pain is very severe, lasts for a long period of time or comes back regularly, you should definitely consult a doctor and get to the bottom of the cause.

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