$Unique_ID{PAR00156}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Stomachache, Chronic}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Chronic Stomachache abdominal pain constipation stomachaches glycerin
suppository suppositories milk intolerance laxative laxatives crampy abdominal
pain lactase deficiency urinary tract obstruction obstructions infection
infections peptic ulcer ulcers sickle cell anemia lead poisoning ulcerative
colitis regional enteritis Crohn's disease tumor tumors ovarian problems
problem worms worm infestation infestations food foods intolerance internal
hernia hernias appendicitis vomiting diarrhea blood mucus stool bloody stools
fever weight gain failure painful urination pica anemia diet glycerin
suppository suppositories small intestine large intestines}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Stomachache, Chronic


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOM
     - Recurrent abdominal pain unaccompanied by other symptoms

     HOME CARE
     - If constipation is most likely causing the stomachaches, give the child
       a high-fiber diet including plenty of fruits and juices.  For immediate
       relief, use a glycerin suppository.
     - If you have any reason to believe that milk intolerance may be causing
       the stomachaches, ask your doctor if you should temporarily remove milk
       and milk products from the diet.
     - Try to remove any source of stress that may be 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, much less frequently.  To further
complicate diagnosis, 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 recur again and again.
     Chronic stomach pain usually is due to constipation, intolerance to cow's
milk due to lactase deficiency, or emotional stress.  Less common causes are
urinary tract problems (such as obstruction and chronic infection), peptic
ulcer, sickle cell anemia, lead poisoning, ulcerative colitis, regional
enteritis (Crohn's disease), tumors, ovarian problems, worm infestations,
intolerance to foods other than milk, and internal hernias.  Recurrent
abdominal pain is not due to appendicitis.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     To pinpoint its cause, recurrent abdominal pain must be associated with
other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, blood or mucus in
the stools, fever, failure to gain weight, painful urination, pica (ingestion
of inedible substances), and anemia.  Also important is the pattern of the
pain--where it is, when it occurs, and how long it lasts.
     In general, recurrent abdominal pain that is accompanied by no other
symptoms or has no set pattern is probably not serious.

HOME CARE

     If constipation is the cause of the pain, correct it by changing your
child's diet.  Foods that prevent constipation are fruit juices and fruits
(particularly those eaten with the skin on), with the exception of bananas;
vegetables (especially if eaten raw), with the exception of peeled potatoes;
and unrefined grains (whole-grain cereals and breads).  A glycerin suppository
may also be used to treat constipation.
     If you have any reason to believe that milk intolerance may be causing
the stomachaches, ask your doctor if you should temporarily remove milk and
milk products from the diet for one or two weeks.  At the end of that period,
you may then add milk to the diet again and observe the effects.
     Try to eliminate emotional stress if that may be responsible for the
stomachaches.
     Most important, note and record the pattern of recurrent abdominal pain
and any other symptoms that occur before consulting your doctor.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  Recurrent abdominal pain due to emotional stress is real and requires
     treatment just as much as pain due to an identifiable physical condition.
  -  Do not try to relieve stomach pain by giving laxatives or placing ice on
     the stomach.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Your doctor will take a careful history of your child's recent health and
perform a complete physical examination.  Frequently the doctor will order
urine, stool, and blood tests.  If the cause of the pain still has not been
identified, x-ray studies of the stomach, large and small intestines, and the
urinary tract may be required.  If these studies provide no clues to the
problem, your child may be hospitalized for extensive blood tests and an
internal abdominal examination.

RELATED TOPICS:  Anemia; Constipation; Diarrhea in older children; Diarrhea in
young children; Food allergies; Hernia; Lead poisoning; Pinworms; Sickle cell
anemia; Stomachache, acute; Ulcers, Urinary tract infections; Vomiting