Pain in the abdomen is the most common complaint in children. Often, the diagnosis of a disease accompanied by such symptoms causes difficulties, because the child can not always accurately indicate the location and nature of the pain. Most often, children are concerned about pain in the navel. The right or, conversely, left abdomen may also be disturbing. What to do? In order to begin treatment, it is necessary to identify the cause of the pain.
Causes of pain
In fact, the causes of pain in the abdomen in a child are many. Painful sensations can cause both banal indigestion, overeating, bloating, and serious diseases such as appendicitis or gastrointestinal tract disorders.
Also, abdominal pain can indicate kidney and liver disease. Parasites, food allergies, as well as stress can trigger such discomfort. Pain can occur due to stretching of the abdominal muscles during vomiting, coughing, or increased exercise. In infants, abdominal pain is caused by colic or intestinal obstruction.
Acute abdominal pain
Acute abdominal pain can be caused by diseases such as:
- appendicitis;
- pancreatitis
- gastritis;
- nephritis.
You can distinguish them by the following signs:
- Acute appendicitis. A sign of this disease is a pulling pain, which first appears in the umbilical region or in the epigastric, then passes into the right iliac region. May be accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
- Acute pancreatitis. Constant, girdle pain under the “spoon”, extending to the shoulders. The abdomen is swollen and tense. Nausea and vomiting appear.
- Acute gastritis. Pain and heaviness are felt in the upper abdomen. Nausea and vomiting may also occur.
- Acute jade. In addition to abdominal pains, tapping the sides in the lumbar region causes pain in the child. Edema, urinary retention, fever also indicate kidney inflammation.
Also, acute pain in the abdomen can cause poisoning and intestinal infections.
Causes of Chronic Pain
Repeated pain can provoke:
- Inflammation of the digestive tract. Pain appears in the epigastric region and around the navel. A feeling of heaviness, sour belching may appear.
- Gastrointestinal ulcer. Pain appears on an empty stomach and at night. Companions ulcers are: belching, vomiting, heartburn, nausea, constipation.
- Dyskinesia of the biliary tract. Pain is felt in the right upper abdomen and can be given to the right shoulder.
- Ulcerative colitis. It is characterized by spasmodic abdominal pain, which is associated with intestinal motility. Stool may be liquid with blood. Loss of appetite and weight loss may also be observed.
Periodic pain in the abdomen in children can also be caused by allergies or the presence of parasites.
Pain localization
Pain in the left or right ileal region can be caused by diseases of the biliary tract, liver, inflammation of the stomach, duodenum, and acute appendicitis.
Pain in the navel is often caused by problems in the digestive tract, as well as the presence of parasites.
What to do if a child has abdominal pain
If the child experiences abdominal pain, you need to show it to the local pediatrician. That, in turn, on the basis of examination and interrogation will make a preliminary diagnosis and appoint a number of tests to clarify it.
In most cases, the following tests are prescribed:
- blood and urine;
- ultrasound examination of the liver, gall bladder, kidneys, spleen;
- FGDS;
- tests for the presence of worms.
If a child has a stomach ache in the navel, what should I do? Urgently need to see a doctor. Self-medication can only aggravate the situation. Having established an accurate diagnosis, the pediatrician will prescribe the appropriate treatment, or give a referral to a narrow specialist (surgeon, gastroenterologist).
If it turns out that pain in the umbilical region is caused by appendicitis, diverticulitis or a hernia, then surgery can not be dispensed with. For pain resulting from gastrointestinal diseases, the child is prescribed a course of anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antacid drugs. A strict diet with diet is also shown.
When emergency care is needed
Emergency medical attention is required if:
- nausea and vomiting appeared;
- the child has a “sharp” stomach;
- pain is accompanied by high body temperature;
- severe pain lasts more than two hours;
- blood is present in vomit and feces.
Before the arrival of a doctor, you must not:
- give painkillers because this can make diagnosis difficult;
- use a heating pad and put an enema to prevent inflammation;
- give the child drink and eat: if surgery is necessary, the stomach should be empty.
To alleviate the suffering of the baby, you can massage the stomach in a clockwise direction and apply a compress with ice.