Friday, 18 September 2015

Common Causes Of Abdominal Pain In Children

Abdominal pain is a common complaint among children. The condition can be caused due to various reasons and it is imperative to know when to seek medical care. The important things to consider when evaluating the reason for abdominal pain is duration of the pain, location of the pain, appearance of the child, vomiting, content of the vomit, diarrhea, blood in stool, fever, pain in any other part of the body, urinary problems or a rash. These symptoms should be noticed and talked about with the doctor at the urgent care center.

Some of the common causes of abdominal pain in children are:
 
Infections:
  • Viral and bacterial infections are common among children and can cause abdominal pain.
  • Gastroenteritis or stomach flu cause stomach ache and may be treated with medications, depending on the severity.
  • Urinary tract infections can also cause swelling and pain in the abdomen. It is essential to monitor the ease of passing urine and if the child complains of any burning sensation.
  • Strep Throat is a common infection causing sore throat, fever and abdominal pain. It symptoms also include vomiting and headache.
Dietary:
  • Food poisoning can cause abdominal pain.
  • Food allergies caused due to consumption of milk, eggs, nuts etc.
  • Over eating can also lead to stuffiness and pain.
  • Gas in the stomach due to eating certain types of food. The symptoms of abdominal pain vary in intensity and are usually experienced immediately after eating.

Medical Conditions: Any of these conditions can also contribute towards abdominal pain.
  • Appendicitis
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Gallstones
  • Stomach Ulcer
  • Hernia
  • Crohn's disease
  • Intussusception
  • Tumor
  • Cancer
  • Sickle Cell Disease
Injury: A direct impact or fall can also lead to abdominal pain. The child should be examined for bruising or inflammation at the abdominal region. Injury can be caused while playing, due to an accident, fall, slip or a direct impact.

If the child complains of abdominal pain, he should be taken to an urgent care center. The physicians at the urgent care center diagnose the exact cause of the pain and provide immediate medical treatment.