Quite often, children of any age complain that they have a stomach ache. The reasons for the appearance of pain in the abdomen are many, so at first glance it is difficult to determine the exact diagnosis. The cause of pain can be overeating, swallowing air, constipation, as well as fast food, temporary indigestion and accumulation of gases. Often, abdominal pain is a symptom of a serious illness requiring urgent medical intervention. That is why it is very important in case of abdominal pain to consult a doctor in a timely manner.
Pain in the abdomen is divided into 2 categories: recurring pain and one-time pain. There are subcategories, but everything depends on the child's age.
One-time pain
Pain of this nature does not last long. The cause of the development of such pain is often a poisoning or a condition in which surgical intervention is required. The most dangerous are pains accompanied by vomiting, a small secretion of bile. With severe pain in the abdomen, bloating, abdominal distension, tenderness when touching the abdomen can be observed. The time of occurrence of high temperature, diarrhea and vomiting will help the doctor determine the nature of the disease and determine what treatment should be used - surgical intervention or drug therapy. For example, with acute appendicitis, pain first appears, followed by vomiting (surgically treated). Whereas with gastroenteritis, vomiting first appears, and then abdominal pain (medication is treated).
Returning pains
According to the research, the returning pain sensations in the abdomen are most often observed among schoolchildren throughout the school year. More than 50% of schoolchildren complaining of abdominal pain experienced emotional problems. The cause of these pains are often family dramas and troubles (divorce parents, regular quarrels and fights), various stresses, death of loved ones. Often, recurring pains are observed in shy, nervous children who are constantly worried about their performance (cause for concern may be another reason). With returning pain, in principle, there may be physical or organic causes. The physical cause of abdominal pain usually occurs due to poor absorption of lactose, fat and vegetable protein. Often the cause of pain in the abdomen is the immense use of carbonated beverages and caffeine. Other likely causes of the onset of pain may include: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ulcers. If the pain is not related to physical causes, then you should pay attention to the emotional state of the patient. But even if the abdominal pains are based on emotions, it is still necessary to follow the child and promptly identify the physical causes accompanying them (chronic diarrhea, for example).
There are some signs, in the presence of which it is necessary to sound an alarm:
- vomiting and abdominal pain;
- diarrhea or blood in the stool, accompanied by pain;
- the child lies quietly and does not want to walk;
- pain in the abdomen lasts for 2 hours or more;
- pain arose at night and woke the child;
- pain in the testicle or scrotum;
- if the child bends and bends over the stomach while walking;
- recently had a stomach injury;
- the child abruptly began to lose weight;
- In the abdomen there are undulating movements or you have found a tumor in the abdomen;
- during eating, the child complains of pain in the abdomen or immediately after eating;
- before feces the child complains of pain;
- soreness when touched to the stomach;
- in recent analyzes of urine and / or blood, there were abnormalities - anemia, increased ESR, low protein content, urinary tract infection.
Parents to note
If the child has sharp pains inside the abdomen, then you should not give painkillers, since later an incorrect diagnosis can be made. It is also forbidden to give the child laxatives and / or antibiotics. With pain in the abdomen, you can not use a heating pad, even if this method relieves pain, puts candles and injects an enema. All this complicates the work of the doctor and, moreover, can mask diseases that require urgent surgical intervention.