Amazon.com: Hyland’s Homeopathic 4 Kids Tummy Ache Tablets, Natural Relief of Upset Stomach, Diarrhea and Gas for Children, 50 Count (256558) : Health & Household

Safety Information

Stop use and ask a doctor if: ▪ fever develops; ▪ diarrhea lasts for more than 2 days or ▪ other symptoms persist for more than 7 days or worsenIf pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.Keep out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.Other information ▪ do not use if imprinted tamper band is broken or missing▪ Hyland’s may be contacted for emergency information about our products 24 hours a day, 7 days per week at (800) 624-9659

Indications

Temporarily relieves minor abdominal and stomach pain, upset stomach due to nervousness, stomach pressure and cramps, gas, nausea, and diarrhea.

Ingredients

Active ingredients | Purpose: Argentum Nitricum 6X HPUS – stomach pain, upset stomach due to nervousness, nausea Asafoetida 6X HPUS – abdominal pain, inclination to vomit Carbo Vegetabilis 12X HPUS – stomach cramps, upset stomach due to nervousness Chamomilla 6X HPUS – nausea Cinchona Officinalis 6X HPUS – stomach pressure and pain, diarrhea Colocynthis 6X HPUS – diarrhea, abdominal pain Lycopodium 30X HPUS – gas Nux Moschata 6X HPUS – stomach pressure, nausea, diarrhea Pulsatilla 6X HPUS – upset stomach, stomach pain “HPUS” indicates the active ingredients are in the official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. Inactive ingredients: Acacia Gum, Lactose N.F.

Directions

Children 2 years to under 6 years: dissolve 1 tablet under tongue every 15 minutes for up to 6 doses until relieved; then every 4 hours as required Children 6 years to under 12 years: dissolve 2 tablets under tongue every 15 minutes for up to 6 doses until relieved; then every 4 hours as requiredAdults and children 12 years and over: dissolve 3 tablets under tongue every 15 minutes for up to 6 doses until relieved; then every 4 hours as required

Legal Disclaimer

*CLAIMS BASED ON TRADITIONAL HOMEOPATHIC PRACTICE, NOT ACCEPTED MEDICAL EVIDENCE. NOT FDA EVALUATED.

Over-The-Counter Medicines for Kids

An increasing number of reports about injuries and deaths from over-the-counter medicine has raised awareness that these OTC products can be dangerous.

Many more over-the-counter medicines can be helpful though—as long as you use them at the correct dosages and at the proper times.

Hero Images / Getty Images 

Pain and Fever

Pain and fever reducers are perhaps some of the more useful over-the-counter medicines. These include Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen).

Remember that aspirin isn’t usually given to children or teens because of the risk of Reye’s Syndrome. Parents should also avoid medicines like the original Pepto Bismol and Kaopectate, which may contain bismuth subsalicylate.

Colds and Coughs

A large variety of cold and cough medicines are available for kids, but remember that the FDA warns that they should not be used for infants and toddlers under age two years. Most manufacturers have gone even further and have stopped marketing them to children under age four and some experts wonder if they are even useful for older kids.

Major brands of over-the-counter cold and cough medicines for older children include:

• Children’s Advil
• Delsym
• Dimetapp
• Little Noses
• Children’s Motrin
• Mucinex
• Pediacare
• Robitussin
• Sudafed
• Triaminic
• Children’s Tylenol
• Vicks

For Babies

Few products are approved for use by babies and younger infants, so only use those that are or get the advice of your pediatrician before using other products off-label that are intended for older children. Commonly used over-the-counter medicines for babies include:

• Mylicon Infants’ Gas Relief Drops
• Gas-X Baby Antigas Infant Drops
• Baby Orajel Medicated Teething Gel and Swabs
• Little Teethers Oral Pain Relief Gel
• Enfamil Fer-In-Sol Iron Supplement Drops
• Enfamil Poly-Vi-Sol Multivitamin Supplement Drops
• Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment and other moisturizers
• Desitin Creamy and other diaper rash creams and ointments
• Ocean Premium Saline Nasal Spray

Itching

Anti-itch creams and lotions are essential over-the-counter medicines to have in your medicine cabinet if your kids spend any time outside, as they will likely often have insect bites, poison ivy, and other itchy rashes.

In addition to oral Benadryl (diphenhydramine), some good choices to treat itching include:

• Hydrocortisone cream 1%
• Calamine Lotion
• Natural Colloidal Oatmeal Cream or Lotion
• Gold Bond Maximum Strength Medicated Anti-Itch Cream
• Sarna Original Anti-Itch Lotion
• Caladryl Clear
• Itch-X Anti-Itch Spray
• Domeboro Astringent Solution
• Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Relief Gel or Spray, not to be used on large areas or with oral Benadryl

Rashes

In addition to anti-itch creams and lotions and moisturizers, other over-the-counter medicines for rashes you may want to have include:

• Neosporin First Aid Antibiotic Ointment
• Polysporin First Aid Antibiotic Ointment
• Wartner Cryogenic Wart Removal System
• CompoundW Freeze Off Wart Removal System
• Dr. Scholl’s Clear Away One Step, Salicylic Acid Wart Remover
• Lotrimin AF Antifungal Athlete’s Foot Cream, often used for ringworm too
• Lamisil AT for athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm
• Tinactin Antifungal Cream for athlete’s foot and ringworm
• Benzoyl Peroxide cream, pads, or gel for acne

Constipation

Preventing constipation with a healthy diet that is high in fiber is best for children, but when they do get constipated, these medicines are often helpful:

• Miralax – Polyethylene Glycol laxative for adults, but often used off-label by pediatricians for younger children
• Fleet Pedia-Lax Liquid Stool Softener – Docusate sodium oral laxative (2y)
• Fleet Pedia-Lax Quick Dissolve Strips – Senna oral laxative (2y)
• Fleet – Children’s Pedia-Lax Chewable Tablets – Magnesium Hydroxide laxative (2y)
• Phillips Milk of Magnesia
• Fletcher’s Laxative For Kids – Senna laxative (2y)

Stomach Issues

Stomachaches, in addition to those that are caused by constipation, are a common problem for many kids. These over-the-counter medicines are sometimes useful:

• Culturelle for Kids – probiotic supplement
• Digestive Advantage Children’s Lactose Intolerance Therapy – for children with lactose intolerance (3y)
• Children’s Pepto – a calcium carbonate antacid to help relieve heartburn in children (2y)
• Emetrol for Nausea – may help nausea in children (2y)
• Dramamine Chewable Formula – prevents motion sickness in children (2y)
• Fiber Choice Sugar-Free Fiber Supplement – chewable, fruit-flavored fiber supplements for children (6y)
• Tums

Since the causes of stomachaches are sometimes difficult to sort out, it usually best to see your pediatrician before giving your child an over-the-counter treatment on your own though.

Allergies

Like cold and cough medicines, parents often turn to over-the-counter allergy medicines to treat their children’s allergy symptoms. This is even more common now that Claritin, Zyrtec, and Flonase are available over the counter.

• Children’s Benadryl
• Claritin (loratadine) syrup (2y)
• Claritin (loratadine) RediTabs or tablets (6y)
• Claritin D 12 hour (12y)
• Claritin D 24 hour (12y)
• Zyrtec (cetirizine) syrup (2y)
• Zyrtec (cetirizine) chewable tablets or tablets (6y)
• Zyrtec D 12 hour (12y)
• Opcon-A Allergy Relief Eye Drops – for allergic conjunctivitis (6y)
• Naphcon A Eye Drops – for allergic conjunctivitis (6y)
• Zaditor Eye Itch Relief – for allergic conjunctivitis (3y)
• Flonase – nasal steroid (2y)

Other Conditions

Some other over-the-counter medicines that can be useful include:

• Reese’s Pinworm Medicine – pinworm treatment (2y)
• Neo-Synephrine Regular Strength Nasal Decongestant Spray – can temporarily relieve stuffy noses for teens
• Ayr Saline Nasal Gel – helps moisturize dry noses and may prevent nose bleeds
• Hibiclens Antiseptic / Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser – can be useful if your child gets recurrent skin infections, including MRSA
• Nix or Rid – headlice shampoos

What to Avoid

Medicines that you should likely avoid altogether include:

• Aspirin – While it is no longer called Baby Aspirin (Bayer voluntarily stopped calling low dose aspirin by that name in 2012), parents should still remember to not give chewable aspirin to kids unless specifically advised to do so by their pediatrician
• Baby Orajel Homeopathic Teething Tablets and Gels
• Ipecac syrup – Parents were once told to keep ipecac in their home to induce vomiting in case of accidental poisonings. These days, you should just call poison control.
• Benadryl cream or lotion – There is a concern that too high a dose can be absorbed if you use these forms of Benadryl. It is usually considered safer to use oral Benadryl and other types of itch creams.

Confused about all of the over-the-counter medicines you see on pharmacy shelves these days?

Be sure to talk to your pediatrician about which medicines they recommend you use and which you should avoid, either because they don’t work, cause too many side effects, or are just plain dangerous.

Abdominal pain in children – Better Health Channel

Children often complain of stomach pain. It is one of the most common reasons parents take children to their doctor or the hospital emergency department. Stomach pain can be hard to diagnose. The doctor will ask you questions then examine your child. Sometimes a problem may be quite obvious, so no tests are needed.

Many children with stomach pain get better in hours or days without special treatment and often no cause can be found. Sometimes the cause becomes more obvious with time and treatment can be started. If pain or other problems persist, see your doctor.

Causes of abdominal pain in children

There are many health problems that can cause stomach pain for children, including:

• bowel (gut) problems – constipation, colic or irritable bowel
• infections – gastroenteritis, kidney or bladder infections, or infections in other parts of the body like the ear or chest
• food-related problems – too much food, food poisoning or food allergies
• problems outside the abdomen – muscle strain or migraine
• surgical problems – appendicitis, bowel obstruction or intussusception (telescoping of part of the gut)
• period pain – some girls can have pain before their periods start
• poisoning – such as spider bites, eating soap or smoking.

Repeat attacks of stomach pain

Some children suffer repeat attacks of stomach pain, which can be worrying for parents. Often, no health problem can be found.

Children may feel stomach pain when they are worried about themselves or people around them. Think about whether there is anything that is upsetting your child at home, school or kindergarten, or with friends. See your local doctor for advice. A referral may be needed to a paediatrician (a doctor who specialises in children).

Appendicitis explained

Appendicitis is one of the more common reasons your child may need surgery. The appendix is a small, dead-end tube leading from a part of the bowel. If this tube gets blocked, it can cause an infection. Appendicitis can happen at any age, but is rare in young children.

The pain often starts in the middle of the tummy and moves down low on the right side. The tummy becomes sore to touch. This is often worse with coughing and walking around. A child with appendicitis often shows signs of being unwell such as fever, refusing food, vomiting or (sometimes) diarrhoea.

If you are concerned your child may be developing appendicitis, visit your local doctor or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital. An operation is often needed to remove the appendix, although in some cases the problem will settle without surgery.

Diagnosis of abdominal pain in children

When a problem is quite obvious, no tests are needed. If tests are needed, they may include:

• blood tests
• urine test
• stool (poo) sample
• x-rays
• other special tests
• review by a specialist doctor.

If your child does undergo tests, the doctor should explain the results to you. Some results may take a number of days to come back and these results will be sent to your local doctor.

Treatment for abdominal pain in children

Your child’s treatment will depend on what the doctor thinks is causing their pain. Treatment may be as simple as sending your child home with advice to rest, take fluids and eat a bland diet. Other treatment options include hospital admission and surgery.

Taking care of your child with abdominal pain

General suggestions on easing the pain include:

• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
• Help your child drink plenty of clear fluids such as cooled boiled water or juice.
• Do not push your child to eat if they feel unwell.
• If your child is hungry, offer bland food such as crackers, rice, bananas or toast.
• Place a hot water bottle or wheat bag on your child’s tummy or run a warm bath for them. Take care not to scald yourself or your child.
• Give paracetamol if your child is in pain or is miserable. Remember that doses for children are often different to those for adults, so check the packet carefully for the right dose. Avoid giving aspirin.

When to seek urgent medical help for abdominal pain in children

Go to your local doctor or the emergency department of your nearest hospital straight away if your child has:

• severe or worsening pain or pain that has moved position
• fever or chills
• become pale, sweaty and unwell
• been vomiting for more than 24 hours
• refused to eat or drink
• blood in their vomit or poo
• problems passing urine or is producing less than four wet nappies a day
• skin rash with pain
• any other problem that concerns you.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• The emergency department of your nearest hospital
• In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
• Healthdirect Tel: 1800 022 222 – 24 hours health advice line
• Paediatrician
• The Gut Foundation Tel. (02) 9382 2749

Reasons, Signs & Home Remedies

Last Updated on June 26, 2020

Children, by virtue of their age and developmental phase, are prone to illness and injury. From colds and coughs,  scrapes and bruises, to fevers and stomach upsets – kids go through them all. They recover quickly and come out stronger on the other side, but the duration of the illness or injury can be worrisome for a parent.

One of the most common illnesses that a child faces is a stomach ache. It is a common complaint among children of all ages, and it can be caused by various reasons – some serious, and others not.

Read on to discover the various causes and remedies of stomach pain in children.

Video: Stomach Pain in Kids – Causes and Remedies

What is Stomach Pain in Children?

Stomach or abdominal pain in a child is pain around the tummy area. The pain can be anywhere from the chest to the groin area of the child. Stomach pain is a very common medical problem in children, and most cases of stomach pain are not of great concern. However, a few stomach pain cases can be of serious concern, depending on the symptoms.

Causes of Stomach Ache in Kids

There are a number of reasons for stomach aches in kids. Some of the common causes are:

1. Milk Allergy

Some children have an allergic reaction to the protein present in milk, which may cause stomach pain. A milk allergy can also cause cramps, vomiting, rashes, and diarrhoea in children.

2. Digestion Problems or Constipation

Bad or improper digestion, or constipation, may also cause stomach pain in children. A lack of fibre and roughage in the diet can cause constipation.

3. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infections may cause pain and discomfort in the abdomen of your child. The pain associated with a UTI is generally noticed in the lower abdominal region.

4. Strep Throat Infection

Apart from fever and sore throat, a child may also experience stomach pain during a strep throat infection.

5. Anxiety or Stress-Related Pains

Increased levels of anxiety or stress can trigger abdominal pain in your child. This pain is generally accompanied by another symptom, such as diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting.

6. Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning is usually seen in younger children, those who tend to put everything in their mouths. Lead poisoning can cause a stomach ache, along with other symptoms such as constipation, lethargy and poor appetite.

7. Injury to the Stomach

Any kind of injury to the abdominal region can cause stomach pain in children.

8. Appendicitis

An inflamed appendix can cause intense stomach pain in your child. This is a serious kind of stomach ache, and needs immediate medical attention, as it can be fatal if not treated at the right time.

9. Intestinal Problems

Intestinal ailments such as malrotation or intestinal blockages may cause pain in the stomach.

10. Menstruation

Menstrual cramps may cause stomach pain in older girls.

Symptoms of Stomach Pain

You may notice your child curling up in pain, crying incessantly, or making faces in agony. Some of these observations will help you assess the symptoms of stomach pain in your child:

1.

Duration of the Pain

Normal cases of stomach ache in kids, such as gas or stomach flu, do not last long. However, if the pain lasts for more than 24 hours, you need to seek immediate medical attention.

2. Location of the Pain

The usual bouts of stomach ache in children are located in the centre of the abdomen. However, if your child complains of pain in the lower abdominal region or in a particular area, then it may be a cause of concern, and you should contact your paediatrician immediately.

3. Child’s Appearance

You may be able to detect the severity of your child’s condition if you find that your child is pale, sweaty, sleepy, or listless. He may also refuse to eat or drink.

4. Fever

A stomach ache accompanied by a fever is not associated with serious health issues. In fact, in some cases of serious health complications, there may be no fever with the abdominal pain.

5. Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is very common with stomach pain, and is generally caused by a viral infection. Most bouts of diarrhoea subside within 3 to 4 days, but may take longer also. However, if any blood is noticed in the stool, you must seek medical help.

6. Urinary Infection

Your child may complain of stomach pain while urinating. This may be a sign of a urinary infection, and might require a course of antibiotics.

7. Rashes

If your child complains of stomach pain and also develops rashes on the skin, you need to get immediate medical help, as it may be scarlet fever, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, or another such ailment, all of which are serious medical issues.

8. Groin Pain

Young boys may report stomach ache when the pain is in their groin area. This may due to testicular torsion, a condition where testicles entwine or become twisted, and the blood supply to the area is cut off. This is a case of medical emergency and needs quick action.

Diagnosis

Abdominal pain in kids can be caused by a number of reasons. Any of the following diagnostic tests may be prescribed by your doctor to establish the right cause of the pain:

1.

Physical Examination

A physical exam by the doctor will help ascertain the location of the pain. The location of the pain will further help the doctor to determine the exact reason for the pain.

2. Urine Test

Your child’s urine sample may be taken to check for the presence of an infection.

3. Stool Test

A stool test may be recommended to check the presence of any bacteria, parasite, or even blood.

4. Blood Test

The doctor may conduct a blood test to check lead and lipase levels, and the functioning of the liver.

5. Medical History of the Child

The doctor may inquire about your child’s medical history, and even ask about the family’s medical history, to check for any autoimmune, or other, disorders.

6. Imaging Tests

Various imaging tests such as X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan may be advised by the doctor, to check for any abnormalities in the internal organs and tissues.

7. Other Tests

Apart from the above-mentioned tests, the doctor may conduct other tests, depending upon the symptoms of your child. These may include a pelvic examination, anal manometry, etc.

Treatment

Usually, abdominal pain in kids can be treated effectively by any of the following ways:

1. Adequate rest helps the child to recover quickly.
2. In case of diarrhoea and vomiting, make sure the child consumes sufficient fluids.
3. Refrain from force-feeding your child. If he wishes to eat, serve light and frequent meals.
4. Over-the-counter medicines are a good option to treat stomach pain. However, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before giving any medicine to your child.

How to Prevent Stomach Pain in Children

You may take some of the following measures to help your child from getting tummy aches that may result from indigestion, infection or constipation:

1. Include more fibrous foods in your child’s diet to keep constipation and indigestion at bay.
2. Refrain from feeding your child too close to his bedtime, as it may cause indigestion.
3. Do not let your child overeat at one meal. Serve smaller, frequent meals.
4. Encourage your child to wash his hands well before and after every meal, to keep him safe from bacterial and viral infections.
5. Monitor the fluid intake of your child, as lack of fluids can cause constipation.

Home Remedies for Stomach Pain in Children

Some home remedial measures may provide relief from stomach ache to your child, such as:

1. Chamomile Tea

The anti-inflammatory and sedative properties of chamomile tea helps relax the muscles, and are very effective in treating stomach cramping.

2. Yoghurt

Yoghurt contains good bacteria, which are effective in neutralizing stomach aches that are caused due to bacterial infections.

3. Mint and Lemon

Mint helps to fight harmful bacteria, and lemon is effective in dealing with constipation. A cup of tea made with lemon and mint can help in treating stomach pain.

4.

Warm Compressions

Warm compressions can be applied to your child’s tummy area. The increased blood flow can help to ease the pain.

5. Ginger

Ginger is very effective in relieving stomach aches that result from overeating. However, giving ginger to children below the age of 2 is not recommended.

6. Honey

Honey is effective in treating stomach problems, because of its antibacterial properties. However, it is not recommended for children below the age of 1.

7. Outdoor Activities

Encouraging your child to engage in certain outdoor activities can help to relieve constipation and indigestion. Activities such as walking, running, and cycling are very effective in stimulating the gastrointestinal tract.

When to Seek a Doctor’s Help

Most cases of stomach pains are not serious, and can be easily remedied at home. However, you should seek medical help for your child’s stomach pain in the following cases:

1. If your child has had an abdominal injury in the recent past.
2. If your child is facing breathing problems.
3. If your child’s tummy is very hard and bloated.
4. If your child experiences sudden and sharp pain attacks.
5. If you notice any blood in the vomit or stool of your child.
6. If your child is not able to pass stool.
7. If your child is less than 3 months of age and has diarrhoea.
8. If your child is experiencing pain while urinating.
9. If your child is undergoing treatment for cancer.

There are many reasons for stomach aches in children. If you notice that the stomach pain is persistent, does not go away with home remedies, or is accompanied by any worrisome symptoms, it is advised that you seek immediate medical help.

Also Read: Knee Pain in Kids

%PDF-1.7 %
2053 0 obj > endobj xref 2053 273 0000000016 00000 n
0000011531 00000 n
0000011813 00000 n
0000011852 00000 n
0000011890 00000 n
0000013046 00000 n
0000013264 00000 n
0000013396 00000 n
0000013547 00000 n
0000013685 00000 n
0000013817 00000 n
0000013952 00000 n
0000014087 00000 n
0000014222 00000 n
0000014357 00000 n
0000014491 00000 n
0000014625 00000 n
0000014760 00000 n
0000014895 00000 n
0000015030 00000 n
0000015165 00000 n
0000015300 00000 n
0000015435 00000 n
0000015570 00000 n
0000015703 00000 n
0000015948 00000 n
0000016113 00000 n
0000016358 00000 n
0000016523 00000 n
0000016766 00000 n
0000017061 00000 n
0000017176 00000 n
0000017215 00000 n
0000019865 00000 n
0000020108 00000 n
0000020408 00000 n
0000020795 00000 n
0000021274 00000 n
0000021374 00000 n
0000021883 00000 n
0000022503 00000 n
0000022628 00000 n
0000022753 00000 n
0000022878 00000 n
0000023002 00000 n
0000023159 00000 n
0000023469 00000 n
0000023855 00000 n
0000024336 00000 n
0000024884 00000 n
0000025277 00000 n
0000027188 00000 n
0000029042 00000 n
0000030848 00000 n
0000032559 00000 n
0000034241 00000 n
0000034273 00000 n
0000034391 00000 n
0000034460 00000 n
0000034774 00000 n
0000034806 00000 n
0000034924 00000 n
0000035274 00000 n
0000035343 00000 n
0000035656 00000 n
0000035688 00000 n
0000035806 00000 n
0000035875 00000 n
0000036183 00000 n
0000036215 00000 n
0000036581 00000 n
0000036997 00000 n
0000037115 00000 n
0000037184 00000 n
0000037497 00000 n
0000039177 00000 n
0000039209 00000 n
0000039523 00000 n
0000039592 00000 n
0000039710 00000 n
0000039742 00000 n
0000040056 00000 n
0000040125 00000 n
0000040243 00000 n
0000040275 00000 n
0000040393 00000 n
0000040462 00000 n
0000040773 00000 n
0000040805 00000 n
0000041119 00000 n
0000041188 00000 n
0000041306 00000 n
0000041338 00000 n
0000041650 00000 n
0000041719 00000 n
0000041837 00000 n
0000041869 00000 n
0000041987 00000 n
0000042301 00000 n
0000042370 00000 n
0000042488 00000 n
0000042520 00000 n
0000042589 00000 n
0000042903 00000 n
0000042935 00000 n
0000043053 00000 n
0000043122 00000 n
0000043436 00000 n
0000043468 00000 n
0000043586 00000 n
0000043655 00000 n
0000043966 00000 n
0000043998 00000 n
0000044116 00000 n
0000044185 00000 n
0000044499 00000 n
0000044812 00000 n
0000044844 00000 n
0000044962 00000 n
0000045031 00000 n
0000046609 00000 n
0000046912 00000 n
0000047212 00000 n
0000047515 00000 n
0000047818 00000 n
0000048121 00000 n
0000048424 00000 n
0000048725 00000 n
0000049028 00000 n
0000049331 00000 n
0000049684 00000 n
0000049987 00000 n
0000050290 00000 n
0000050587 00000 n
0000050889 00000 n
0000051192 00000 n
0000052141 00000 n
0000052444 00000 n
0000053507 00000 n
0000053584 00000 n
0000053888 00000 n
0000053965 00000 n
0000054042 00000 n
0000054344 00000 n
0000054421 00000 n
0000054726 00000 n
0000054758 00000 n
0000055059 00000 n
0000055136 00000 n
0000059918 00000 n
0000060232 00000 n
0000060350 00000 n
0000060419 00000 n
0000060537 00000 n
0000060614 00000 n
0000060694 00000 n
0000060749 00000 n
0000060803 00000 n
0000060857 00000 n
0000060911 00000 n
0000062522 00000 n
0000062753 00000 n
0000063141 00000 n
0000063255 00000 n
0000063406 00000 n
0000063505 00000 n
0000063581 00000 n
0000063658 00000 n
0000063735 00000 n
0000063812 00000 n
0000063889 00000 n
0000063966 00000 n
0000064043 00000 n
0000064120 00000 n
0000064197 00000 n
0000064274 00000 n
0000064351 00000 n
0000064428 00000 n
0000064505 00000 n
0000064631 00000 n
0000064708 00000 n
0000064785 00000 n
0000066611 00000 n
0000067957 00000 n
0000072369 00000 n
0000075635 00000 n
0000075712 00000 n
0000075789 00000 n
0000075866 00000 n
0000075943 00000 n
0000076020 00000 n
0000076097 00000 n
0000076174 00000 n
0000076251 00000 n
0000076328 00000 n
0000076405 00000 n
0000076482 00000 n
0000076559 00000 n
0000076636 00000 n
0000076713 00000 n
0000077011 00000 n
0000077088 00000 n
0000077206 00000 n
0000077275 00000 n
0000077591 00000 n
0000079377 00000 n
0000079454 00000 n
0000079486 00000 n
0000079604 00000 n
0000079673 00000 n
0000079989 00000 n
0000081538 00000 n
0000081615 00000 n
0000081647 00000 n
0000081765 00000 n
0000081834 00000 n
0000082151 00000 n
0000084192 00000 n
0000084269 00000 n
0000084301 00000 n
0000084419 00000 n
0000084488 00000 n
0000084800 00000 n
0000087439 00000 n
0000087516 00000 n
0000087548 00000 n
0000087625 00000 n
0000087750 00000 n
0000087782 00000 n
0000087859 00000 n
0000096323 00000 n
0000096645 00000 n
0000096714 00000 n
0000096832 00000 n
0000129484 00000 n
0000129525 00000 n
0000129602 00000 n
0000130666 00000 n
0000130743 00000 n
0000157566 00000 n
0000157643 00000 n
0000217110 00000 n
0000217187 00000 n
0000267940 00000 n
0000268017 00000 n
0000268094 00000 n
0000268413 00000 n
0000268470 00000 n
0000268588 00000 n
0000268665 00000 n
0000268946 00000 n
0000269222 00000 n
0000269299 00000 n
0000269425 00000 n
0000269738 00000 n
0000269831 00000 n
0000269910 00000 n
0000269989 00000 n
0000270068 00000 n
0000270147 00000 n
0000270226 00000 n
0000270305 00000 n
0000270384 00000 n
0000270463 00000 n
0000270542 00000 n
0000270621 00000 n
0000270700 00000 n
0000270779 00000 n
0000270858 00000 n
0000270938 00000 n
0000271018 00000 n
0000011325 00000 n
0000005872 00000 n
trailer ]/Prev 4508470/XRefStm 11325>> startxref 0 %%EOF 2325 0 obj >stream
hYi@W~$$HР, b:*hA*RPԏ}WVE
Kglqؙ

13 simple home remedies for your child’s stomach ache

For reasons as varied as overfeeding in case of infants, overeating fried food, allergies to certain foods or lactose intolerance, your child may complain of a stomach ache. Also, this time of the year is called Pittaprakopakala in Ayurveda, which means children are more prone to digestive illnesses during this period due to seasonal changes and imbalanced Pitta or fire element. Easily available ingredients like cumin, turmeric, rock salt or asafoetida in your kitchen cabinet can help manage the symptoms of stomach more acute when there is accumulation of toxins (also called Ama ache), build immunity and also strengthen digestion. Gastric problems are in the body, due to irregular eating habits (heavy, greasy foods) or stress, which is ubiquitous in the lives of children today.

Reports suggest as many as 24 per cent of children in India could be overweight. This is majorly due to increase in consumption of food high in salt, sugar and fat, which is more easily available to children. This has logically led to increased instances of stomach ache, diarrhoea, gas, constipation, cramps, acid reflux and other gastric issues among them. Ayurveda as a system of knowledge offers a plethora of home remedies, for gastric disorders as well.

Cause of Gastric Problems:

• Overeating
• Overfeeding (in the case of infant being overfed by mothers)
• Fried, junk food
• Sensitivity or allergy to certain foods (milk, pickle)
• Lactose intolerance (to dairy products)
• Gassy vegetables (cauliflower, raddish, cabbage, beans, broccoli, etc, can lead to gas)
• Worm infestation (highly common in children)
• Irritable Bowel Disease
• Dysentery
• Consumption of contaminated water, eating roadside food
• Pitta imbalance

Pitta (fire element) imbalance

According to Ayurveda, imbalance in the three bioenergies of doshas—Vata, Pitta and Kapha—could aggravate gastric problems. The three doshas combine in differing proportions to make up an individual’s constitution or prakriti. This includes all factors—physical, mental and emotional—that express an individual’s uniqueness. Imbalance in the Pitta dosha is said to be the main cause of gastric problems and is further aggravated by eating junk, fried, processed and cold foods. Pitta, or the fire element, is said to govern all heat, metabolism and our sensory perceptions, besides transformation in the mind and body. It controls how we digest foods and an imbalance in Pitta dosha creates a lot of toxins or ama in the system. Ama makes one feel more lethargic, fatigued, causes stomach ache, bloatedness and nausea.

Ayurvedic home remedies for treatment of gastric problems

1. Hing (Asafoetida) and ghee on stomach

Take 1 tsp of hing (asafoetida) and mix it with 1 tsp of ghee. Heat it till lukewarm. The formulation could be applied on the child’s stomach four to five times a day till he gets complete relief. This is particularly helpful in stomach ache.

Hing (Source: Getty Images)

2. Castor oil and betel leaf

Take half a teaspoon of castor oil. Warm it till lukewarm. Apply it on the tummy region. Cover the portion with a betel leaf after applying. Castor oil helps in treating stomach ache as it stimulates the digestive system and improves the peristaltic useful in addressing constipation. Castor oil releases gas and clears bowel movement.

3. Decoction of jeera (cumin) and water

Take 1 litre of water and add two teaspoons cumin seeds to it. Heat it and pour the contents in a bottle. Ask the child to sip on it throughout the day. The bottle could also be kept with the child when going to school. This aids in better digestion.

Jeera or cumin (Source: Getty Images)

4. Ginger and hing decoction

Take fresh ginger, hing and a dash of rock salt. Add it to water. Boil it and pour the contents in a bottle. Drink sip by sip.

5. Recipe for constipation

Mix 1 tsp fresh ghee and ½ tsp salt into 1 and a quarter cup hot water. Stir well. Sip it slowly. This should be consumed an hour after dinner.

6. Recipe for bloating

Toast 1 tsp fennel seeds and mix in 1 cup of boiled water. Add a few pieces of fresh ginger, a pinch of hing, and dash of rock salt to the boiled water. Sip this slowly after your meal.

7. Recipe for acid reflux

Combine 1/4 cup plain yogurt with 3/4 cup water (or double this, keeping same ratio). Mix well. Add 1 tsp rock salt, pinch of roasted jeera (cumin) powder, a bit of grated ginger, and fresh coriander leaves.

8. Home recipes for diarrhoea

Grate 1 inch of ginger and add to 1 1/4 cup water. Boil with a little aniseed. After it is boiled, add a pinch of turmeric powder. Strain and drink.

9. Yoghurt

Yoghurt is considered to be a very good pro-biotic. Rich in lacto-bacilli, yoghurt protects the child from irritable bowel disease as well as the inflammatory bowel disease. However, it is advisable to consume yoghurt during the day than night.

Yoghurt (Source: Getty Images)

10. Turmeric, cumin and fennel seeds

Addition of turmeric, cumin, fennel seeds, coriander and hing to the diet in general could help in improving the overall digestive function.

Fennel seeds (Source: Getty Images)

11. Burping of infants

Burping of infants such as patting them at the back when they are lying down could also be useful in treating stomach ache and releasing gas.

12. Ayurvedic medicines which could be of help:

• Hingwashtak Churna: 1 teaspoon could be added with ghee when having rice. Aids in better digestion and addresses bloatedness.
• Amrita Bindu: To be taken on an empty stomach with 4-5 drops added to water.
• Amlapittari Vati: A proprietary medicine used for hyperacidity.
• Pachani Rasayana: Helps in strengthening digestion.
• Ajamoda Arka: To be taken every morning with 4-5 drops added to lukewarm water.
• Kumaryasava: Improves functioning of the liver. If the problem persists, a doctor should be consulted without delay. Deworming the child every six months could also be immensely helpful in strengthening their digestive system.

Other precautions to keep in mind:

• Don’t drink water immediately before or half hour after eating food. This dilutes the digestive fire or ‘agni’.
• Ask kids to not hold their bladder for a long time as it can lead to gastric problem.
• Give kids more of bland food, soup and freshly cooked vegetables.
• Avoid junk and fried food. When eating outside, ensure the place has proper hygiene and water is purified.
• Encourage children to play more of outdoor games. This will improve their metabolism, make the child hungry and help improve the appetite.

13. Yoga

(Source: Dreamstime)

Some Yoga exercises could also be useful in addressing stomach problems.

Pawanmukta Asana or wind relieving pose

This is a very powerful pose which helps entire digestive system and makes asana practice easier. It is particularly helpful in addressing stomach ache.

In this position, the thighs are pressed against the abdomen and the wrists or elbows are clasped. The neck is bent towards the knees and if possible the forehead or chin is touching the knees. The breath is relaxed.

Surya Namaskar

Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation is a set of 12 powerful yoga asanas (postures) that provides a great cardiovascular workout and improve the overall metabolism rate in the body. It is also a great way to stay fit, and make children less restless.

(With inputs from Art of Living’s senior Ayurveda Expert and Head Doctor at Sri Sri Tattva Panchakarma, Dr. Mitali Madhusmita)

Symptoms, Treatments, Causes, Tests & Preventions

What is it?

Stomach ache in chidlren especially between 3-9 years is very common and can be due to several causes, the most common being gas, indigestion, stomach virus, diet or stress. Most pains usually go away on their own or with simple home remedies but lingering pain should not be ignored and shown to a doctor.  

What are the causes?

Abdominal pain is a symptom of a variety of medical conditions. In majority of cases, it is due to comparatively harmless causes, which can be treated without admission to hospital. In less than 5% of the cases, the situation is an emergency and immediate hospitalization is required. Some of the common causes of stomach ache are:

Indigestion – commonly known as ‘tummy upset’, it is caused by bad food habits like overeating, drinking too many fizzy drinks or eating junk food. Drinking warm water, keeping hot water bottle over the stomach or taking antacids may help to relieve the pain.

Constipation – This may cause stomach ache, nausea and vomiting. The stools are hard and dry. A high fibre diet, and gentle laxatives helps to relieve the condition.

Gastroenteritis – It may be caused due to a viral or bacterial infection. The most evident symptom may be diarrhoea, which is associated with severe abdominal cramps, vomiting and fever. A stool examination can identify the cause.

Worm infestation – caused mostly by roundworms, it can cause recurrent stomach ache in children, particularly those living in conditions with poor sanitation and contaminated water supply. A course of anti-worm medications usually cures the infection.

Chronic recurrent abdominal pain – this type of pain is seen in late childhood (8-15 years) and more often in girls than in boys. Typically, there is a history of three or more episodes of severe abdominal pain over a period of 3-4 months. This is associated with vomiting and headache. This pain is usually psychological in origin, caused by worry, anxiety or as an attention seeking behaviour. Any physical cause is excluded after thorough examination and investigations.

Food allergies – abdominal pain is due to allergy to certain food constituents such as lactose in milk. Certain food preservatives used in cold drinks to give colour or in pickles can also cause of stomach ache in children.

Drugs – certain drugs like those given for epilepsy or malaria and some antibiotics may cause pain in children.

Seek professional help?

Medical opinion should be sought when:- The pain is severe, constant or lasts for more than 2 hours. The pain comes and goes (cramps) and lasts for more than 24 hours. The pain is in the scrotum or testicle. The pain is followed by repeated vomiting and fever. The child looks very sick.

What is the treatment?

No medications for stomach cramps should be given without consulting the doctor. All laxatives, enemas, and painkillers should be avoided. Laxatives and enemas may make the pain worse by stimulating the bowel and painkillers may mask a more serious illness like appendicitis.

What is the homecare treatment?

Rest: Let the child lie down and rest. Keep a covered warm water bottle or heating pad on the stomach for 20 minutes till the pain is better. Diet: Give only sips of clear fluids, but no solids. Keep a vomiting pan handy as younger children are especially likely to refer to nausea as ” stomachache.” Sitting on the toilet: Encourage sitting on the toilet and trying to pass a stool. This may relieve the pain.

The best remedies for spasms in children: Doctor’s advice

Remedies for spasms in children are antispasmodics (antispasmodics). Antispasmodics for children are a group of drugs that are able to eliminate excessive contraction of smooth muscle cells, that is, they are able to eliminate spasm. Spasms are quite common during an early age. As a rule, they are manifested by pain, as a result of which the baby begins to cry. The severity of pain varies. Children can often be restless during the day and especially at night.

Main causes of spasms in children

The diseases and causes that can lead to this problem are quite extensive. It should be noted that in children, spasms and pains are most often observed from the gastrointestinal tract and are accompanied by various organic and functional diseases of the stomach and intestines. The difference between organic and functional diseases is the presence of structural or biochemical changes in organs and tissues. Organic diseases have them, but functional ones do not.Functional pathology is caused by a change in the regulation of these organs, which can also cause symptoms similar to organic ones. In young children, spasms are more often observed against the background of functional pathology. With age, the incidence of organic pathology increases. The most common causes of excessive contraction and abdominal pain in children are:

• Intestinal colic.
• Functional diarrhea and constipation.
• Acetonemic syndrome.
• Dyskinesia of the biliary tract, inflammation of the gallbladder.
• Gastritis, peptic ulcer disease.
• Diseases accompanied by malabsorption syndrome. Malabsorption is a malabsorption of substances in the small intestine.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Chronic colitis, intestinal infections, parasitic invasions.

There are also many other diseases that are accompanied by excessive muscle cell contraction and pain.We list only the most common of them. Often, spasms are accompanied by inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract (cystitis, pyelonephritis). In this case, they occur in the urinary tract. Often, during the formation of the menstrual cycle, adolescent girls may experience severe cramps and pain in the lower abdomen. This problem is called dysmenorrhea. Often, vascular spasms develop when the temperature rises in children, which is characterized by the appearance of “white fever”. In this article, we will briefly talk about the main causes of spasms in children, as well as the diseases that lead to them.Let us explain the basic principles of use and the mechanism of action of drugs used in this pathology.

There are many other diseases that are accompanied by excessive muscle cell contraction and pain.

Symptoms of spasms in children

As mentioned above, the most common cause of spasms in children is the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.

Below we consider the main symptoms of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by spasms in children:

• Intestinal colic. This pathology is characterized by sudden and severe attacks of crying baby. Colic appears during the neonatal period. Intestinal colic is associated with immaturity of the nervous regulation of intestinal activity and increased gas production against the background of intestinal dysbiosis.
• Functional diarrhea and constipation. Spasms with these pathologies are not the main symptom. They can only appear periodically. Diseases are functional disorders of young children, which are accompanied, respectively, by diarrhea or constipation.At the same time, with an in-depth examination, other pathology is not detected.
• Acetonemic syndrome. Often occurs in children, especially at an early age. As a rule, the cause of its development is an error in the diet. Other reasons include ARVI, harmless excitement (birthdays, etc. ), stress. In this case, the pain is no longer caused by spasm, but by irritation of the mucous membrane by ketone bodies (those substances that cause acetone syndrome).The characteristic symptoms of this ailment are the smell of acetone in the exhaled air, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and drowsiness.
• Biliary dyskinesia, gallbladder inflammation . Dyskinesia is a functional disorder of the gallbladder and bile ducts, which may be accompanied by spasms in these organs. As a result, children experience pain, more often in the right hypochondrium. In addition, children feel heaviness in the right hypochondrium, bitterness in the mouth, yellowness of the skin and eyes appears.
• Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. The causes are often Helicobacter pylori. In children, it is noted: nausea, often vomiting, abdominal pain, heartburn, a tendency to constipation, bad breath.

With gastritis, children often experience nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

• Malabsorption syndrome . Among the pathologies from this group, it is worth highlighting celiac disease and lactase deficiency.Celiac disease is a gluten intolerance that is associated with a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain. Lactase deficiency is an intolerance to dairy products, after the use of which bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea occur.
• Inflammatory bowel disease. These include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Most often it is characterized by the appearance of blood in the stool, abdominal pain. In the future, there is an increase in symptoms and the addition of other signs.
• Intestinal infections. Acute intestinal infections are manifested by fever, often vomiting and diarrhea, which is characterized by a persistent course. As a rule, it can develop after eating bad foods or after contact with a sick person.

In addition to the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, other diseases can also lead to the development of spasms and pain. Urinary tract infections are quite common, especially in girls. This is due to the short and wide urethra, through which disease-causing bacteria can quickly enter.The development of cystitis is accompanied by the appearance of symptoms such as: pain during urination, cramps, frequent urination, burning and pain in the urethra and bladder. Dysmenorrhea often develops in adolescent girls, which is characterized by pain and heaviness in the lower abdomen.

Treatment of spasms in children

Treatment of spasms in children differs in each specific situation. It all depends on the reason against which this problem arose.

Below we list the main ways of dealing with this ailment in children, depending on the cause that caused them:

• In case of intestinal colic it is recommended to adjust the diet.You can also use postural therapy, that is, position therapy. After feeding, the baby must be held in a tilted position, approximately at an angle of 45 degrees, with the belly down for 10-15 minutes. Between feedings and during an attack, belly down. The main remedies for colic are simethicone preparations: infacol, espumisan, colicide. You can also use the antispasmodic riabal. In some cases, drugs are prescribed that normalize gastrointestinal motility – domperidone.

For intestinal colic, position therapy (belly down) can be used.

• Functional diarrhea and constipation. When diarrhea occurs, enterosorbents are preferred. This group of drugs includes: smecta, enterosgel, polysorb, atoxil. For constipation, drugs such as lactulose (duphalac), forlax are prescribed. A diet high in fiber and fluid is recommended.
• In case of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel diseases , special treatment is prescribed, which allows to eliminate the exacerbation of the disease.With intestinal cramps and abdominal pain, according to indications, it is possible to prescribe myotropic antispasmodics: no-shpa, mebeverin, riabal, dicetel and others. No-shpa is the most common and affordable remedy for cramps for children.
• With acetone syndrome , a diet, abundant drinking (sweet tea, alkaline water, compotes), as well as detoxification therapy with glucose-salt solutions (saline, 5% glucose, Ringer’s solution) are prescribed. A stimulus is recommended to accelerate the exchange of ketone bodies.
• In urinary tract infections it is important to eliminate the cause – the infection. Most often, the cause of cystitis and pyelonephritis is a bacterium – Escherichia coli. Accordingly, the treatment consists in the appointment of antibacterial drugs. This will eliminate inflammation, and hence spasmodic pain.

Cramps are a common problem, especially in young children. Parents need to remember that the cause of this ailment in children can only be established by the attending physician. Do not self-medicate, if such a problem arises, contact your pediatrician. The doctor will not only make the correct diagnosis, but also prescribe adequate treatment for your baby.

What to do if a child has a stomach ache? How to help a child and diagnose a disease?

Abdominal pain in children is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical attention.

Moreover, this problem begins to bother from the first days of a baby’s life.

As a rule, in the first months of a child’s life, the causes of abdominal pain are increased gas production and spasm of intestinal smooth muscles, which lead to the development of so-called intestinal colic.

The reasons for the development of colic in babies are described in detail in a separate article on this site, but now we will touch on the issue of the causes of abdominal pain in older children.

Abdominal pain in children from one to three years old

At a younger preschool age, children are still poor at speaking and localizing their complaints. Therefore, the main symptom indicating abdominal pain is the crying of the child and refusal to eat. At this age, children still do not know how to cheat, therefore, if a child still complains about “bo-bo”, it means that he is definitely experiencing some kind of discomfort, and the sooner the child is shown to the doctor, the better.

But in some cases, the child may hide that he is in pain, and then the main symptom of abdominal pain in the child is reduced appetite. Another indirect sign of abdominal pain is the absence of stool for several days, which attentive parents should also be aware of.

Abdominal pain in children over 3 years old.

Unfortunately, digestive problems are becoming the hallmark of modern babies. The reason for this in almost most cases is a gross violation of the basic rules of nutrition, namely, the lack of control from the parents of what and when the child eats.

First, our parents often rely on kindergarten or school, because today’s children can spend most of their time outside the home. In part, this has always been the case, and most children in the last century grew up on kindergarten semolina and sausages. But in the last century, at least there were no instant “fortified” drinks and so many sweets as now. Sometimes we have to deal with chocolate muesli for breakfast and in kindergarten, and sugary sweet yoghurts and curds, widely advertised in TV ads, often completely discourage a child from eating soup or porridge.A child’s morning often begins with such a “curd product”, then he drinks the same yoghurts in kindergarten, eating waffles or cookies, while ignoring the tasteless soup and cutlet. And at home he will be greeted by loving grandmothers with chocolate bars and marmalades, after which the child will go to bed with an almost empty stomach and wake up with aching pains in the stomach. And the only type of food that he would hardly agree to eat in the morning will be the same yogurt with raspberries or a mixture of exotic fruits.

Approximately in this way, early gastritis, duodenitis, that is, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum, is formed in a child, and the ground is prepared for future pathology of the liver and pancreas, which most of all suffers from a large amount of so-called light carbohydrates, that is Sahara.

Abdominal pain and surgical pathology

But there are times when abdominal pains are so severe that they require immediate medical attention.

As a rule, children under 5-6 years old have two main causes of severe abdominal pain: the first is appendicitis,

and the second is acute pancreatitis. Moreover, local doctors cannot always recognize the second reason, since they are most afraid of appendicitis in a child, which, in general, is of course justified.

All parents must be aware of the fact that if a child has severe abdominal pain: the child cries, screams, takes a forced position in bed, then no matter how sorry he is, it is impossible to give painkillers before the ambulance arrives, because they can temporarily stop (relieve) the pain syndrome, and doctors may mistakenly overlook the symptoms of acute surgical pathology in a child.

The best way to help a child with severe abdominal pain is to put a heating pad with cold water or ice on the stomach, this will reduce pain for a short period of time before the ambulance arrives.

As for the second reason I mentioned – acute pancreatitis, that is, inflammation of the pancreas, here the culprit of this disorder is usually the immoderation of older relatives who overfed the baby with sweets or fatty foods, such as rich soups cooked on cartilage or fried chicken.

Pancreatitis usually begins suddenly with vomiting and may have fever. But in this case, just before calling the doctor, you can give the child an antiemetic, such as a suspension of motilium, and then drink the child with teaspoons every 10 to 15 minutes, avoiding the child immediately drinking a large amount of liquid, which can cause repeated vomiting.

Abdominal pain in a child, diagnosis of disorders

In any case, whenever you have to deal with abdominal pain in a child, as soon as acute manifestations are stopped, it is necessary to do the most thorough examination of the gastrointestinal tract.

The standards for examining children with diseases of the stomach, liver and pancreas include the following laboratory and instrumental examinations:

– clinical blood test

– biochemical blood test with fasting glucose, bilirubin (total and direct), AST and ALT enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, pancreatic amylase. If the child had episodes of blood in the stool, then in the biochemical analysis the level of iron and TIBC is necessarily noted for the laboratory, since blood loss through the gastrointestinal tract can lead to the development of anemia (a decrease in red blood cells and hemoglobin below normal).

– scatology (general analysis of feces)

– scraping for enterobiasis

– analysis of feces for intestinal dysbiosis

– Ultrasound of the abdominal organs (strictly on an empty stomach, in infants – 3 hours after feeding, in children after a year – in the morning on an empty stomach).

– EGDS – gastroscopy (examination of the stomach and intestines through a special probe) is the “gold standard” for diagnosing pathology of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and is performed at any age as prescribed by a gastroenterologist.

In this case, each study is diagnostically valuable and significant, since there can be several causes of abdominal pain, and for successful treatment all of them must be identified and eliminated, and the sooner the better.

THE CHILD HAS ABDOMINAL PAIN

“Oh, my tummy hurts!”

How often do we hear from our children “Oh, my tummy hurts!” Children complain both in the morning when they are going to kindergarten or school, and in the evening when they go to bed, and during meals with the words “I don’t want any more”.At the same time, parents react in different ways: someone runs to call an ambulance, and someone shrugs it off, “you always come up with something.” How not to be mistaken, what to do if the child complained about the tummy.

It’s just that children rarely lie. Sometimes a child may say that he has a stomach ache, in order to attract his mother, without even experiencing discomfort in the stomach, but this is still an alarming bell, because he did not complain about the leg, head or something else, which means he periodically experiences pain or abdominal discomfort!

Children of preschool and primary school age will complain of pain not only when they experience really painful sensations, but also with flatulence (increased gas production) and with nausea and with rumbling in the abdomen and with discomfort in the abdomen.When a child, while eating, says “I can’t get more and more, my stomach hurts” do not rush to scold him. He cannot say “I have a feeling of early satiety,” and in fact most likely he has exactly this pathological symptom that occurs with gastritis, functional dyspepsia and other diseases.

If your child complains of abdominal pain in the morning, it may not be because of a desire to stay at home, but he has so-called “fasting pains”, one of the signs of gastroduodenitis, peptic ulcer disease.Or maybe he just doesn’t want to have breakfast, and not because he is stubborn, but because his enzymes have not yet “woken up”. It is not possible and unnecessary to feed such children a “full” breakfast. Let the child eat a portion of yogurt with tea, and in kindergarten or at school (i.e. 2 hours after waking up) he will have a second breakfast.

A child may complain about the stomach when he wants to go to the toilet. Most often it happens with constipation, when the process of emptying the intestines is painful. It may be that at present, defecation in such children is already painless, but earlier, the stool was accompanied by severe painful sensations and the child REMEMBERED this! Now the little (and not necessarily the little) man has a fear – “now it will hurt.”

What is abdominal pain and when does it appear. The sensation of pain is the body’s response to irritation of pain receptors located in the walls of internal organs (stomach, intestines) or a capsule covering an organ, such as the liver. When stretching the wall, capsule, inflammation, we experience pain. With a spasm of muscle organs, with pain in the abdomen, this is primarily the intestines, as well as irritation of the receptors and we feel pain. Abdominal pain can be due to irritation of the peritoneum – a piece of tissue that covers the internal organs of the abdomen.This is more often observed in acute surgical pathology, such as appendicitis.

The pain can be acute when a person feels a “prick”, I often compare such pain with a “dagger pain” or dull – aching pain of moderate intensity.

Pain can be chronic, when a person complains from day to day, but not necessarily constantly. The pain can release and return again, while the degree of intensity can vary from acute cramping, to dull, barely discernible.

By localization, the pain can be diffuse – when the pain is all over the abdomen and localized, when a pain point can be indicated.

Pain may be associated not with a disease of an internal organ, but with damage to the nervous system, both central and peripheral. With a tumor in the brain, pain can be in different places, incl. and in the abdomen, with pain often accompanied by vomiting. With autonomic dysfunction, abdominal pain may be accompanied by pallor of the skin, nausea, vomiting, cold sweat.

What to do if your child complains of abdominal pain. Firstly, do not panic, talk to your child about how it hurts, where, and do not forget that small children cannot localize pain and will more often point to the navel, even if they have pain under the ribs. It is not necessary to defiantly neglect the complaint, even if you think that it is a baby’s invention. Talk to him, promise to give a pill, go to the doctor, do an examination. Never frighten the child with a visit to the doctor or any examination, in the future the child may be afraid of medical institutions and will hide complaints from you, which will lead to a late diagnosis of the disease.

If you complain of pain in the abdomen, ask when the child cooped the last time, maybe he was constipated. Parents should monitor the child’s bowel movements on a daily basis, while not only a preschooler, but also a younger student, and at an older age, they should regularly ask their child whether he had stool today, what consistency, were there any impurities (blood, mucus, not overcooked food). Often parents do not pay attention to such an IMPORTANT physiological process as defecation, and given the frequency, consistency of the stool, the presence of impurities, the doctor will be able to prescribe the NECESSARY examinations (and not all that are in the arsenal of modern medicine), which will make it possible to diagnose and prescribe treatment faster.

Of the drugs on their own without a doctor’s prescription, with the first-ever pain syndrome, only enveloping agents and sorbents are possible. If you give your child an antibacterial pain reliever or an antispasmodic (no-shpu), then you can smear the picture, and the doctor will not be able to diagnose, which is very dangerous, for example, with appendicitis. It is better to call a doctor, let him see the child, if necessary, prescribe tests and examinations.

In conclusion, let me emphasize once again. A child’s complaints about pain are always an alarming symptom.See a doctor, undergo an examination and you will not have to think that this is “stomach inflammation or tricks.” Be healthy!

Cape Town’s Sneaker Culture is Unlike Anywhere Else in the World

Three-Step Stomach Algorithm

Why painkillers don’t help

Let’s start with the simplest question: what should be done if discomfort appears in the abdominal area? Take a pill, of course! For many of us, the answer is… “obvious”. A person who “too” cares about health, and even more so knows “more than necessary” about it, looks strange. From the point of view of many others, he just has nothing to do! The results are obvious: 45% of Russians, feeling pain in the abdomen, grab onto analgesics … And only 28% take antispasmodics. At the same time, over the past six months, every sixth person felt pain in the abdomen. Women suffer more often.

What is the danger of an analgesic for abdominal pain?

The fact that he will not eliminate the real cause of unpleasant sensations, but will mask.Indeed, in 60% of cases, the culprit of the pain syndrome is spasm.

What is spasm?

This is an excessive contraction of smooth muscle cells of various organs. In our case, we will focus on the digestive system. An inflammatory process – for example, gastritis, enteritis, colitis or ulcers, poisoning and other effects of pathogenic microbes, a foreign body in the digestive organ cavity (a part from a toy in the stomach or a stone in the gallbladder), an imbalance of the substances we need – vitamins and microelements… Because of this, our organs, one way or another responsible for the digestion of food, feel uncomfortable and squeeze painfully. Analgesics do not act on the cause of the pain, and they only affect the transmission of nerve impulses, and will not remove the spasm. Plus, as mentioned earlier, they will mask the pain sensations – and the doctor will not understand anything. Or he will understand, but too late. After all, the remaining 40% of abdominal pain – 4 cases out of 10 – are conditions in which you need to call an ambulance!

Acute pancreatitis, appendicitis, perforation of an ulcer, rupture of an aneurysm of blood vessels in the abdominal cavity, severe inflammatory diseases in women.Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, which occurs not only when the appendix is ​​ruptured, but also when “treating” gynecological diseases through patience. A stone that came out of the gallbladder and blocked the bile duct. If you take an analgesic, it will be difficult for the doctor to understand where the cause of the disease is. And the precious time when the emergency surgery was to begin will be lost. The antispasmodic will not affect the sensations that cause acute cholecystitis, perforation of an ulcer or rupture of the appendix.The pain will not diminish.

What happens if ordinary chronic gastritis is “treated” with an analgesic?

Painkillers of this effect are harmful to the gastric mucosa (and to other digestive organs). If you take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for just a week, then one in five will have a stomach ulcer. And one out of seventy will begin general gastrointestinal bleeding. What if such patients were also analgesics to relieve pain? Pain relief medications that are “harmless and safe” have their side effects.Therefore, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other analgesics should be taken under the supervision of a doctor! Making them a daily medicine is dangerous. By the way, how long can you “treat yourself” with painkillers?

What to do if stomach ache?

In 2002, Vladimir Trofimovich Ivashkin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Chief Gastroenterologist of Russia, Director of the Clinic for Propedeutics of Internal Diseases, Gastroenterology, Hepatology of the I.M. THEM. Sechenov, developed a stepwise algorithm of actions for abdominal pain:

• Stage one – mild pain What to do: if necessary, take an antispasmodic.But: – if the pain was once, after an unusual or poor-quality food, eating disorders or overeating, this is one situation. And if pain occurs with sufficient frequency, i.e. the stomach hurts sometimes or periodically, or in the morning, or after nervous stress, or even from hunger – the situation is completely different. Go to the doctor for an appointment as soon as possible!

• Stage two – pain is strong enough and / or long What to do: be sure to take an antispasmodic.After that – even if the stomach aches less or the abdominal pains stop altogether, see a doctor immediately!

• Stage three – very severe pain! Or pain that gets worse. If the stomach hurts unbearably, the same 40% could be the cause – appendicitis, rupture of the gallbladder, perforation of the ulcer, thrombosis of the intestinal vessels. What to do: call an ambulance!

Five principles that everyone needs to know

Stomach pain is special pain. Its nature is simply not taken into account by universal drugs for relieving pain.And our compatriots, faced at least once with a modern “optimized” polyclinic (according to the standards of the Ministry of Health, one gastroenterologist relies on 70 thousand people), try to solve the problem by taking a pill. Why it is dangerous, they will not be told. After all, there are not enough doctors even for treatment, let alone for prevention and health schools. Therefore, the French manufacturer SANOFI organized a training program – “Pain, which is dangerous to relieve pain” with the involvement of gastroenterologists to participate in the educational project.Clinical pharmacologist, Ph.D., Alexander Maslyakov, has developed another reminder for the patient – five principles of action for abdominal pain.

• Principle 1. One of the causes of abdominal pain is spasm, contraction of the smooth muscles of the digestive system under the influence of adverse factors. For this reason, pain relief drugs are only first aid. Be sure to find out why your stomach hurts, i.e. what is the state of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen.

• Principle 2. The first choice drug for abdominal pain is an antispasmodic. If you have a spasm of the smooth muscles of the stomach or intestines – after taking the medicine, the pain will be less. And in acute conditions requiring urgent surgery, antispasmodics will not mask the pain, and the doctor will have time to understand what happened and how to act.

• Principle 3. Analgesics are dangerous for abdominal pain! In no case should they be used! The drug of this type will not eliminate the cause of pain – it will simply block the transmission of signals about malfunctions in the body.The brain does not recognize the problems. Doctors do not know about them either – after all, the pain sensations are masked, and it is difficult to make a correct diagnosis.

• Principle 4. If an antispasmodic does not relieve pain in 2-3 hours, consult a doctor!

• Principle 5. If the pain in the abdomen is severe, if it increases or even simply does not decrease, if you have a fever, if your blood pressure is low, if you have nausea and / or vomiting, if you have a headache – call an ambulance immediately!

Be careful! Take care of yourself!

Publication link:
life24.ru

90,000 If a child has a stomach ache. Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital Kharkiv

The gastroenterological center of the KNP CHOR “Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital” provides specialized medical care for children with various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as chronic gastritis, gastroduodenitis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, chronic hepatitis , cirrhosis of the liver, chronic pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis and others.Doctors of the gastroenterological center regularly try to convey to parents the elementary rules of behavior, including food, which will help to avoid many problems with the gastrointestinal tract of their children.

What to do if a child has a stomach ache. First of all, you need to go to your polyclinic to the local pediatrician, family doctor. The child should be examined by a local doctor who is the coordinator of the treatment. He makes the decision – to send the little patient for examination on an outpatient basis or in a specialized hospital.

And if it suddenly “twisted”? If the abdominal pain is strong and “dagger”, arose abruptly and unexpectedly, you must immediately call an ambulance, the doctor will in any case stop the pain syndrome and determine where to send the child, depending on the type of pathology. And it can be surgical and infectious. It should be emphasized that emergency gastroenterological pathology occurs extremely rarely in children.

The child is what it eats. The most frequent questions from parents are related to the nutrition of the child.The district doctor must teach the mother how and what to feed the child – starting from birth: when to introduce complementary foods correctly, how many times a day and, most importantly, what he should be fed with. And if a disease arises and the child requires an individual approach, specialists of our center come to the rescue and, based on the revealed pathology, prescribe the appropriate types of therapeutic nutrition. It is very important that parents strictly adhere to the recommendations of medical specialists from the moment the child is admitted to the hospital until his full recovery.Diet and proper nutrition are one of the most important, key points of treatment. Each child entering the hospital receives the most detailed practical advice – what foods he can eat, what – categorically not, at what time. If the diet is strictly followed, children forget about stomach problems. Therefore, the appointment of correct and adequate nutrition is often sufficient to relieve the child of intestinal colic and abdominal pain.

Patients are not born, but become? In most cases, yes.In a child from birth to 5 years of age, functional disorders predominate. These are not organic diseases, because children have anatomical and physiological characteristics, they are more malleable, they still have weak, mobile immunity, their tissues and organs are still growing and developing.

What are the most common mistakes parents make? Functional disorders are observed in 90% of children under 5 years of age. For example, if a child has diathesis and carrots are contraindicated for him, and his mother, with manic persistence, feeds him with this particular vegetable, because “these are vitamins,” “this is very useful,” then a serious allergic disease will surely form.Understand – at a year and a half, a child cannot be fed with raw smoked sausage, and at 6 months old, give sausages. In this case, the functional disorder is transformed into an organic lesion of the stomach and duodenum. From the point of view of parents, children are given only the most delicious and wonderful – sweet, fatty food. Therefore, all deviations from the doctor’s recommendations are fraught with serious complications. You need to eat porridge – eat porridge. And my mother treats her to spicy food, as a result of which such food “pours out” up to 10 years into chronic ulcerative pathology.At the same time, parents never realize their guilt and responsibility. The child is in the gastroenterology department with suspected diseases of the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and his mother brings him “tasty and healthy” food: cabbage rolls, vinaigrette, sausage, dumplings, kebabs, shawarma, cakes, juices, carbonated water.

What in this case is possible. Only water, compote, fruits except citrus fruits, dry biscuits are allowed. If you really want to feed your child with homemade food – bring mashed potatoes, steam cutlets, boiled chicken.Doctors have a real stupor when they see how a child with ulcerative pathology is literally stuffed with dumplings with spicy tomato ketchup into a child’s mouth … It can be very difficult to explain why it is absolutely impossible to do this.

Parents can be hospitalized with their children. In our institution, all conditions have been created for children to stay with their parents. All mothers with children under 6 years old are with them, regardless of the type of pathology. We also hospitalize mothers with children with disabilities, there are no restrictions on the age of the child.We can also hospitalize parents with children over 6 years old, if they wish. A sick leave is provided to a mother to care for a child up to 6 years old according to the severity of the child’s condition. To obtain a sick leave, you must have available documents: passport, identification code, mother’s fluorography.

In order to be admitted for hospitalization, consultation in the gastroenterology center of the Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital KNP CHOR: parents need to contact the local doctor, get a referral from him to the hospital, a certificate of available vaccinations, Mantoux reactions, a certificate of the epidemiological environment.You should have a birth certificate / passport of a child, a certificate of a child with a disability (if any).

Additional information can be obtained by calling the gastroenterological department (057) 715-48-33

90,000 Colic in a newborn: causes, symptoms, first aid

Almost every mommy is faced with the fact that a child is born with intestinal colic.This is a condition in which pain and cramps in the abdomen are caused by increased gas production.

As a rule, there is nothing wrong with that if the condition is short-lived. In the event that intestinal colic does not go away for a long time, you should consult a doctor. The specialists of the Carnelian Center – a clinic with a professional approach to the treatment of adults and children in Novosibirsk will help you quickly cope with the problem.

Increased gas production in a newborn, according to doctors, doctors is associated with the adaptation of the body to new feeding conditions, which differ from intrauterine.Gas torments the child, there is noticeable anxiety in behavior, the baby cries hysterically and for a long time. Colic occurs 2-4 weeks after birth, and should go away by 3 months. The appearance of such a state is not at all a deviation from the norm, but it is nevertheless necessary to observe the dynamics.

How to understand if a child has intestinal colic?

The main symptoms are:

• anxiety of the child for no apparent reason;
• characteristic posture: the child pulls the legs to the tummy – the condition indicates the presence of cuts and pain in the intestines;
• Sharp change in mood in the evening: in the morning the child is calm, eats well, and in the afternoon begins to scream loudly;
• emission of gases;
• pallor of the skin;
• showing anxiety shortly after completing feeding;
• Stool disorder (green liquid, constipation).

Why does a newborn have gas?

As a rule, the reason should be sought not in the child’s health, in the actions of his mother or the one who is engaged in feeding. Let’s consider the main mistakes.

Violation of feeding technique

Incorrect positioning of the baby during natural feeding leads to the swallowing of excess air along with milk and provokes flatulence. When bottle feeding is important, it is important to be able to hold the bottle – at a 45-degree angle.So the air in the container rises up and does not get into the baby’s mouth.

Overeating

If the baby drinks too much milk, it can lead to gas and belching. The solution is to feed at smaller intervals and change the portion size.

Deviation in the diet of a nursing mother

Very often children whose mother abuses smoking are suffering from colic. The mother’s use of teas with the addition of lemon balm, caraway seeds, anise, and fennel helps to reduce gas formation in children on HS.

Doctors recommend that nursing women exclude from the diet:

• cabbage;
• condiments and spices;

90,011 corn;

• nuts;
• caffeinated beverages and foods;
• cow’s milk and dairy products;
• tomatoes;
• bow.

One or two days is enough for my mother not to eat such foods, and the colic will go away.

First aid for colic

To help alleviate the child’s condition:

• Before feeding, put your baby tummy down on a hard, level surface;
• the feeding position should be vertical, and after completing the feeding, the mother should wait for the baby to burp;
• Performing warm compresses: a diaper heated by an iron is tied around the baby’s belly. PLEASE NOTE that the fabric should not be too hot or scalding;
• Do a gentle clockwise tummy massage;
• while feeding, press his tummy to your breast;
• Place your hand on the baby’s belly at the first sign of anxiety.
• use pharmacy dill water;
• use a special flue pipe if necessary.

If the baby suffers from colic on artificial feeding, it is recommended to replace the formula.

And finally: do not use medicines for flatulence without consulting your doctor.

90,000 The child has a stomach ache: what to do for parents

Causes of abdominal pain in children

Abdominal pain, indigestion, constipation . These problems are familiar not only to adults, but also to children. And if adults, as a rule, toss their belly after errors in the diet, in children, discomfort is often caused by new foods to which the baby’s body is not yet accustomed.

After adding new products to the diet, in addition to mother’s milk and infant formula, babies often start crying, since they lack special enzymes produced, in particular, by the pancreas, to digest unfamiliar food. This usually leads to stomach cramps and constipation.

Of course, the cause of colic is not so much in the composition of food, but in the fact that the child swallows air while eating, which causes unpleasant sensations in the stomach, and this happens because the baby has not yet learned how to eat new food correctly.If colic occurs, it is enough to hold the child upright so that the air from the stomach comes out during spitting up.

Constipation in children

As for constipation, in fact, this is the name of only constant rare stools (1-2 times a week), in a child and the accompanying discharge of gas or bloating, which can be a manifestation of liver, pancreas or thyroid diseases, therefore in such a situation, you should consult a doctor.

If this is an isolated case associated with unusual food, then dried fruits (dried apricots, prunes and raisins), or fresh vegetables, can help, since plant fiber helps to increase intestinal motility.
A balanced diet and moderate exercise are usually sufficient to prevent constipation.

How can I help my baby cope with new food?

How can you help your baby to cope with new food? It’s very simple: give the child after a meal a drug that will contain those substances that are not enough for the intestines to function. One of these drugs is Creon. It contains pancreatic enzymes to aid digestion.

The use of enzyme preparations allows you to achieve complete assimilation of all proteins, fats and carbohydrates that a child needs every day for growth and development.You can learn more about enzyme preparations from a pediatric gastroenterologist.

The transition from homemade food to nursery or kindergarten food also often causes intestinal upset and discomfort or even abdominal pain. Taking drugs that improve digestion during the adaptation period is almost always quite effective. If drugs like “Creon” do not help, then most likely the child has developed dysbiosis.

Canteen food is the cause of abdominal pain in children

Regardless of whether the child is attending a child care institution or not, the cause of abdominal pain can be fatty, spicy food or fast food (often, alas, from the parent’s table).These foods have a negative effect on the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Most often, such problems arise in a child in elementary school, when he has the opportunity to independently diversify his diet. While educational work is underway and your child’s habit of healthy food is still inferior to the child’s natural passion for everything tasty and harmful, try not to overfeed the child at home. In second place after educational methods, there is also the intake of drugs that improve digestion – “Creona” and the like.

Remember! Not a single child has yet starved himself to death or ended up in the hospital for unwillingness to finish eating porridge. The amount of food that parents and grandparents manage to shove into the unfortunate heir is not proof of love for the offspring and should not become a criterion for pedagogical success.

Is grandma’s food good for children?

Alas, grandmothers and great-grandmothers often do not believe in favor of gastronomic moderation. So you always need to be prepared for the fact that after the grandmother’s treat, the child will return to the parental hands sluggish, apathetic, he will be sick, despite the fact that the food was the most delicious and wholesome – equal to semolina and black caviar.

What to do if the child overeats?

To alleviate the condition of the child after overeating, it is necessary to provide him with rest. In this case, “Creon” can help due to the following feature: unlike other enzyme agents, it consists of a capsule filled with minimicrospheres. The capsule in the stomach opens and the minimicrospheres – this is a special, innovative dosage form – are quickly mixed with food.

Due to the fact that there are many minimicrospheres, they are better in contact with food than other preparations, which consist of one “large” sphere or tablet.Of course, enzymes must be dosed depending on age and body weight, so you can open the capsule and count as many “balls” as prescribed by the doctor, and then easily close it. Thus, the acid-resistant shell is not disturbed, which happens to the tablet, if it is divided into parts, which means that “Creon” will begin to act exactly where it is needed.

Sources

• Sweeting H., Whitley E., Teyhan A., Hunt K. Sex differences in child and adolescent physical morbidity: cohort study.// BMJ Paediatr Open – 2017 – Vol1 – N1 – p.