Stomach Pain in Children: How to Know if It’s Serious

Stomach pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as:

– Gastrointestinal issues – Gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can all cause stomach pain.
– Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – This is a condition in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn and stomach pain.
– Ulcers – Peptic ulcers, which are sores that develop on the lining of the stomach or small intestine, can cause stomach pain.
– Gastritis – This is an inflammation of the stomach lining that can cause stomach pain.
– Appendicitis – Appendicitis is a condition in which the appendix becomes inflamed and infected, causing severe stomach pain.
– Food poisoning – Eating contaminated food can cause stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
– Stress and anxiety – Emotional stress can cause stomach pain, as it can cause the muscles in the stomach to contract and spasm, leading to stomach pain.

You should take your child to a doctor if they are experiencing severe or prolonged stomach pain, or if they have any other concerning symptoms such as:

– Vomiting or diarrhea
– Blood in their stool
– High fever
– Rapid breathing or heart rate
– Difficulty urinating or passing stools
– Appetite loss or weight loss
– Abdominal swelling or tenderness
– Confusion or drowsiness
– Persistent or severe abdominal pain that is preventing your child from engaging in normal activities.

It’s very important to seek medical attention if your child’s stomach pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or jaw, back or arm pain, as these may be signs of a serious condition such as appendicitis, a stomach ulcers, or a heart attack.

If your child’s stomach pain is mild and accompanied by no other symptoms, you can try to alleviate the pain with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. It is always best to consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your child’s stomach pain, as they will be able to diagnose the underlying cause and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Here are some ways to help relieve your child’s stomach pain:

– Provide comfort and support – Help your child to find a comfortable position and offer a warm blanket or a hot water bottle to help ease the pain.
– Encourage fluid intake – Giving your child water or clear fluids, such as clear soup, ice pops, or broth, can help to prevent dehydration and ease stomach discomfort.
– Offer a bland diet – Avoiding foods that are high in fat, sugar or spice can help to ease stomach pain. Offer your child plain foods such as rice, toast, or crackers.
– Over-the-counter pain relievers – Give your child over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, as directed by a pediatrician.
– Massaging the stomach gently – Gently massaging the stomach can help to relieve stomach pain.

You should be concerned about your child’s stomach pain if they have any of the following symptoms:

– Severe or prolonged pain – Pain that lasts for more than a few hours or is so severe that it interferes with your child’s ability to engage in normal activities.
– Vomiting or diarrhea – These symptoms can be indicative of a stomach infection or other gastrointestinal issue.
– Blood in the stool – This can be a sign of a serious condition such as inflammatory bowel disease or an intestinal infection.
– High fever – A fever may indicate an infection or other underlying condition.
– Rapid breathing or heart rate – This can be a sign of a serious condition such as appendicitis, a stomach ulcer, or a heart attack.
– Difficulty urinating or passing stools – This can be a sign of a urinary tract infection or constipation.
– Abdominal swelling or tenderness – This can indicate inflammation or an infection in the abdomen.
– Confusion or drowsiness – These symptoms can be a sign of a serious condition such as meningitis or dehydration.

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. A physician will be able to examine your child, make a diagnosis, and recommend the appropriate course of treatment. Come to Columbia Clinic Urgent Care or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Portland OR, PDX, Happy Valley OR, Tigard OR, Milwaukie OR, Cedar Hills OR, Cedar Mill OR, Lake Oswego OR, Oak Grove OR, Vancouver WA, Aloha OR, Minnehaha WA, Gladstone OR, Tualatin OR, West Linn OR, Fairview OR, Oregon City OR.