A common reason to take kids to the doctor is abdominal pain. I can guarantee you I know a lot of your first thoughts and fears when your child starts complaining of a stomach ache or pain. Oh no, is it the appendix?? Hold up, probably not, let’s talk about it.
Stomach pain can come from so many different things in children and each child is case dependent. The very first thing you need to ask yourself as a parent is— ‘when is the last time they pooped?’ Constipation is a HUGE cause of abdominal pain in children.
Typically, children with constipation may not have a daily bowel movement, have frequent complaints of stomach ache, pain when passing stool, and sometimes may even poop on themselves (yes, even if potty trained). Think about it, poop has to come out somehow.
Is your child peeing a lot? Well after a urinary tract infection is ruled out– it’s probably not diabetes causing them to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes. If children are constipated, the excess poop in the colon can press on the bladder which causes that frequent urination.
It can present as intermittent shooting pains that is sometimes severe in nature. If your child is noted to be constipated– depending on age— start a fiber supplement and increase fluids. Get them active– the more you move, the more the poop moves. Drinking warm fluids– uncaffeinated warm tea and warm prune juice can help as well. Decrease the intake of foods that can cause constipation (dairy/cheese, salty snacks, beans, bananas).
I hope these tips and trick help, but as always consult with your doctor if symptoms persist and to rule out other causes of your child’s stomach ache.