The most typical cause of chronic stomach discomfort in kids and teenagers is difficult to identify and cure.
The most frequent cause of persistent stomach pain in children cannot be diagnosed through testing or treated with medication. Because of this, diagnosing and treating the condition can be exceedingly difficult.Functional abdominal discomfort may be a condition you are unfamiliar with. However, it is the most typical cause of stomach pain in kids and teenagers that lasts for at least two months.
What exactly is functional stomach pain?
We are still trying to comprehend how the mind and body are intertwined, but this is especially true of the brain and the gastrointestinal system. Pain can result from stress, especially chronic stress, despair, and worry. Sometimes the sole sign of stress is discomfort, especially in kids who are great achievers or have a tendency to keep their emotions to themselves.
Sometimes an infection or other sickness, rather than stress, is the cause of the discomfort, which either persists after the illness has passed or exacerbates it while being treated. Worrying about the discomfort and its potential origin can exacerbate the situation. The gastrointestinal nervous system has a tendency to overreact.
What typical stomach pain symptoms are there?
Children with functional abdominal discomfort may experience minor symptoms that only sometimes manifest or more serious symptoms that significantly interfere with day-to-day activities. They may also have diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, or vomiting in addition to stomachaches. They might not eat much or complain about getting full soon.
When should you get in touch with the paediatrician?
If your child has persistent stomachaches, you should see your doctor. They should have a physical examination, and your doctor might order certain tests, including blood or stool analyses, because a variety of medical disorders might result in persistent stomachaches.
Calling your doctor is especially crucial if your child
is suffering from extreme discomfort, is losing weight, has blood in their stool, has rashes, a fever, aching joints, or other symptoms of sickness.
Your child probably has functional stomach pain if your doctor determines that their examination and testing results are normal and they aren't losing weight.
Receiving this diagnosis can make some families feel as though the doctors are implying that the child's issues are entirely psychological. But the opposite is actually true. Although the discomfort is quite genuine, it is not being brought on by anything harmful, which is excellent news.
How can you assist a child who has been identified as having functional abdominal pain?
Once the diagnosis is determined, there are various strategies to support a child experiencing functional abdominal pain. They consist of:
Understanding and controlling any stressors in the child's life is important. Your medical team may also prescribe medication to treat certain symptoms, such as constipation, such as laxatives.
A type of therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy teaches patients how to manage their pain as well as any stress or grief that may be contributing to it.
Yoga, meditation, and other practices that help kids unwind and control how they respond to their environment
A low-FODMAP diet may be useful for some kids.
For pain relief and prevention, people may take probiotics, peppermint oil mixtures, and other nutrients.
Most children with functional abdominal pain can receive care from their pediatrician. It is advisable to schedule routine checkups to assess progress and adjust treatments. If symptoms persist, a referral to a gastroenterologist may be beneficial.
A low-FODMAP diet may be useful for some kids.
For pain relief and prevention, people may take probiotics, peppermint oil mixtures, and other nutrients.
Most children with functional abdominal pain can receive care from their pediatrician. It is advisable to schedule routine checkups to assess progress and adjust treatments. If symptoms persist, a referral to a gastroenterologist may be beneficial.
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