Chronic abdominal pain is a long-lasting, dull pain in the stomach.
It is usually around the bellybutton.
The pain happens often, usually at the same time of day. For example, your
child may have stomach pain every Monday morning.
The pain can last hours.
It occurs over days, weeks, or months.
Who can get it?
Stomach pain is very common in children.
What causes the pain?
The stomach pain is not usually caused by illness.
Many children with stomach pain are otherwise healthy. They do not have
other symptoms.
Children really do feel the pain, even if the reason can't be found.
Pain may be caused by a child's feelings. For example, stress can cause
stomach pain.
For example, a child may have stomach pain every Monday morning because
the transition from home back to school is stressful for her.
What should I do?
Keep watching your child. Call your doctor if she has stomach pain for more
than 1 hour or very sharp stomach pain.
Take her temperature.
Do not force her to eat. Have her drink plenty of clear fluids if she will
take them.
Understand that even if you can't find a reason for it, your child's pain
is real.
Do not treat your child as if she is "faking it." Do not punish her for
complaining of pain.
Show concern for you child but do not "baby" her.
Give your child equal attention when she is feeling better.
Have her lie down until she feels better.
A heating pad or hot water bottle might help her feel better.
If the pain started before a task, such as before going to school or starting
a chore, have the child finish when the pain is gone. Do not make it a punishment.
Make sure your child has free time in the day. Do not keep her too busy.
Do not talk about your worries in front of your child.
Watch your child's diet. Does it affect her stomach pain? How so?
Keep track of your child's weight from month to month. Call the doctor if
you are concerned.
Keep a diary to record your child's symptoms. It may help you, the child,
and the doctor find the cause of the pain. Use the questions below as a guide.
How can the pain be treated?
If you think your child's pain could be due to an illness, call the doctor.
The doctor may want to test your child. Be prepared to answer the following
questions:
Does the child have diarrhea? Fever? Weight loss? Constipation?
Where is the pain?
How long does it last?
What seems to make it better?
What seems to make it worse?
When does your child get the pain? Morning? Night? Weekends?
Where does it happen? School? Home?
How does food and eating affect the pain?
When should I call the doctor?
The following symptoms could be due to an urgent condition. Call your doctor
if your child has:
Stomach pain for more than 1 hour.
Very sharp stomach pain.
Diarrhea, bloating, or gas.
Vomiting, especially if vomit is dark green or yellow.
Few bowel movements.
Sour taste in the mouth.
Chest pain.
Bulging in the groin or scrotum.
Pain in testicle or scrotum.
Fever, chills.
Pain with urination, very little urine, strange colored urine.
Blood in the stool or black stools
Burning pain that gets better after eating
Pain that starts after eating certain kinds of food.
Feeling tired.
Jaundice (yellow color to skin).
Weight loss or poor weight gain.
Child cannot stand tall. Pain makes her bend at waist.
Difficulty breathing.
Call the doctor if pain gets worse.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's condition.
Quick Answers
Chronic abdominal pain is a long-lasting, dull pain in the stomach.
Stomach pain is very common in children.
Many children with stomach pain are otherwise healthy. Pain may be caused
by stress.
If your child has other symptoms with the pain, such as diarrhea, fever,
or vomiting, call the doctor.
Understand that even if you can't find a reason for it, your child's pain
is real.
The doctor may want to test your child to see what is causing the pain.
Call your doctor if your child has stomach pain for more than 1 hour or
very sharp stomach pain.
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