Abdominal Pain (Stomach Ache)
Stomach aches are very common in children and there are many causes. Most stomach aches are not due to a serious illness and children usually get better on their own.
What causes it?
Pain can arise from any structure in the abdomen including the stomach, bowel, kidneys, bladder and other organs. Even severe stomach ache does not always mean your child is suffering from a serious illness. Severe stomach ache can be associated with mild illnesses such as wind pain from drinking too much fizzy drink, eating too much or cramping from constipation or a viral infection. Nevertheless, some serious illnesses can start with relatively mild stomach ache
Some children get abdominal pain as a result of stress.
What are the symptoms like?
Stomach ache can happen suddenly or develop slowly. Your infant or young child may cry and draw their knees up towards their chest when they have a stomach ache. Nonetheless, these symptoms may also be unrelated to stomach aches. They may also have other symptoms that are associated with the cause of the stomach ache, such as vomiting, diarrhoea and/or fever.
What can you do for your child at home?
- See if your child will lie down & rest.
- Encourage your child to drink plenty of clear fluids (give small amounts frequently).
- If they don’t want to eat, don’t force them.
- Encourage your child to sit on the toilet; sometimes doing a poo helps the pain.
- Do not give your child any medications other than simple pain relief medication, such as paracetamol,without first talking to your doctor.