$Unique_ID{PAR00155}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Stomachache, Acute}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Acute Stomachache Crampy abdominal pain Diarrhea Vomiting Vomit
Vomits constipation constipated glycerin suppository suppositories laxative
laxatives digestive tract upset emotional stress fever painful urination cough
blood mucus bloody stool abdomen injury injuries lower chest abdominal organ
stomach small intestine large intestines liver spleen pancreas kidney kidneys
urinary bladder gallbladder reproductive organs reproduction urinary tract
infection appendicitis pneumonia infectious mononucleosis mono hepatitis bowel
movement movements gastroenteritis diet Food Foods antinausea medication
medications antinauseant antinauseants}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Stomachache, Acute


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Sudden abdominal pain
     - Crampy pain
     - Diarrhea
     - Vomiting

     HOME CARE
     - Apply mild heat to the abdomen.
     - Treat constipation by changing the child's diet (including more
       roughage, such as is found in most fruits, vegetables, and unrefined
       grains) or by using a glycerin suppository.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - Do not try to relieve stomach pain by giving a laxative or placing ice
       on the stomach.
     - If the child's pain does not seem to be due to constipation, digestive
       tract upset, or emotional stress, take the child to the doctor.
     - If the stomach pain is accompanied by fever and painful urination, the
       child should be seen by a doctor.
     - If pain is accompanied by a fever and a cough, see a doctor.
     - If any stomach pain persists or gets worse, consult a doctor.
     - Severe, crampy stomach pain accompanied by blood or mucus in the stool
       requires a doctor's attention.
     - Be concerned if the stomach pain causes the child to bend forward while
       walking.
     - Severe pain that follows injury to the abdomen or lower chest may
       indicate internal injury and requires a doctor's attention.


     The abdomen contains the stomach, small and large intestines, liver,
spleen, pancreas, kidneys, urinary bladder, gallbladder, and organs of
reproduction.  Disease or injury involving any of these organs can cause
abdominal pain.  Consequently, a "stomachache" can test the diagnostic ability
of parent and doctor alike.  Fortunately, almost all stomachaches in children
are caused by one of four problems:  constipation, acute digestive tract upset
(caused by viruses, bacteria, or improper diet), emotional stress, or urinary
tract infection.
     Other less frequent causes of a stomachache are appendicitis, pneumonia,
infectious mononucleosis, and hepatitis.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     The first step in diagnosis involves ruling out appendicitis.  If
appendicitis can be ruled out, consider other possibilities.
     Your child probably is constipated if he has not had a bowel movement
recently or has had only a hard bowel movement, if the pain is intermittent
and crampy on the left side of the body and follows eating, and if the abdomen
is not tender to the touch.
     Your child probably has digestive tract upset if he has eaten too much or
has been exposed to someone who has acute gastroenteritis, if the pain is
intermittent and occurs around the upper abdomen or navel, or if diarrhea
follows vomiting.
     Your child's stomachache is probably due to emotional stress if he is or
has been upset and if the pain does not worsen.
     Your child's stomachache may be due to urinary tract infection if the
child has a fever and frequent, painful urination.  The child should be seen
by a doctor.
     If your child's pain cannot be explained by any of these causes, take the
child to the doctor.

HOME CARE

     Treat constipation with a change in diet.  Foods that prevent
constipation are fruit juices and fruits (particularly those eaten with the
skin on) except bananas; vegetables (especially if eaten raw) except peeled
potatoes; and unrefined grains (whole-grain cereals and breads).  A glycerin
suppository may also be used to treat constipation.
     Unless it is severe (acute pain lasting for more than 24 hours),
digestive tract upset will usually go away on its own.  An antinausea
medication (ask your doctor for suggestions) can relieve the vomiting, and
mild heat applied to the abdomen can relieve the pain.
     A stomachache due to emotional stress will ease with relief from the
stress, but one that arises from a urinary tract infection requires the
attention of a physician.  If any stomach pain persists or worsens, take your
child to your doctor.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  Never give a child a laxative or place ice on the abdomen to treat
     abdominal pain.
  -  Steady, worsening pain usually is more serious than intermittent, crampy
     pain.  However, severe and regular crampy pain may indicate a serious
     problem, particularly if there is also blood or mucus in the child's
     stools.
  -  Abdominal pain that forces a child to bend forward as he walks is a
     cause for concern.
  -  Abdominal pain combined with fever and a cough suggests pneumonia.
  -  Severe, worsening abdominal pain that follows an injury to the abdomen or
     lower chest suggests internal injury and requires a doctor's attention.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Your doctor's first task is to determine the cause of the pain by taking
a detailed medical history, performing a complete physical examination, and,
in many cases, ordering a series of laboratory tests and x-ray studies.  If
the diagnosis remains uncertain, your doctor may observe your child for a few
hours or ask for a consultation with another physician.

RELATED TOPICS:  Appendicitis; Constipation; Diarrhea in older children;
Diarrhea in young children; Dysentery; Food poisoning; Gastroenteritis, acute;
Hepatitis; Infectious mononucleosis; Pneumonia; Shingles; Stomachache,
chronic; Strep infections; Urinary tract infections; Vomiting