CHILDREN’S HEALTH: CHRONIC STOMACHACHE
Symptom
Recurrent abdominal pain unaccompanied by other symptoms
Home care
Home treatment depends on the cause of the stomachache.
To treat constipation, give the child a high fiber diet including plenty of fruits and juices. For immediate relief, use a glycerin suppository. In the case of intolerance to milk, temporarily remove milk and milk products from the diet.
Try to remove any source of stress that is causing the stomachache.
Record the pattern of the pains so that you can explain the condition to the doctor if necessary.
Precautions
- Stomach pain due to emotional stress is not a product of the child’s imagination; it is as real as a pain produced by a physical condition and should be treated accordingly.
- Do not try to relieve stomach pain by giving laxatives or by placing ice on the stomach.
Intermittent (crampy) abdominal pain is quite common in children and may continue for weeks, months, or years. In some cases the pain occurs as often as two or three times a day, in others as infrequently as two or three times a year. Of course, one of a series of recurrent stomachaches may seem to be a bout of acute abdominal pain, and some conditions that cause abdominal pain can occur over and over again. However, chronic stomach pain usually is due to constipation, intolerance of cow’s milk (lactase deficiency), or emotional stress. Less common causes are urinary tract problems (obstruction, chronic infection); peptic ulcer; sickle cell anaemia; lead poisoning; ulcerative colitis; regional enteritis (Crohn’s disease); tumours; ovarian problems; worm infestations (threadworms, Giardia); intolerance of foods other than milk; and internal hernias. Recurrent abdominal pain is not due to appendicitis.
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