Health Highlights: Trust your gut | Children's tummy aches
Key Takeaways:
- According to one study, one in six parents say their child complains of a tummy aches at least once a month
- Stomachaches can be anything from constipation, indigestion or more serious like bowel obstructions
- Call 911 immediately if your child experiences stomach pain along with trouble breathing, dehydration or vomiting blood
It's summertime.
Now that kids are off school for a few months, there's sure to be plenty of changes in their routines, including their eating habits.
Fast food, candy and fair food can all contribute to tummy aches.
Stomachaches are quite common in young children. It can be something simple that comes and goes quickly, or it could be something more severe.
According to a national poll, one in six parents say their child complains of a belly ache at least once a month.
“There are so many different reasons that a child could complain of a stomachache. It could be something easy, like constipation or something they ate, food allergies or indigestion. They could have come across a virus at school or on a play date or even in their own home," says Alissa Bartel, a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare.
Stomach pain, however, could also mean more serious problems such as appendicitis, bowel obstructions, urinary tract infrections or even hernias.
But the issue may not be physical. Bartel says it can also be related to stress or anxiety. She says to trust your own gut, and if you think something is wrong, take your child to be evaluated immediately.