Pain is the body's way of signaling that something is going on. Belly pain alerts
us to something that's happening inside that we might not know about otherwise. Stomachaches
are a common complaint among kids and teens.
Where Does Belly Pain Happen?
Stomachache is a general term for pain that begins somewhere in the abdomen or
pelvis:
The abdomen is the whole area between the chest and the pelvic
(hip) bones. It contains many organs besides the stomach, such as the intestines,
kidneys, liver,
spleen, pancreas,
gallbladder, appendix, and
.
The pelvis is right below the abdomen. It holds the urinary
organs, as well as the reproductive organs (such as the uterus, ovaries, and vagina
in girls,
and the testicles and prostate gland in boys).
Sometimes problems in other areas can cause stomachaches too, like infections in
the lungs or throat.
What Causes Stomachaches?
Some reasons for belly pain are obvious, like when someone gets hit in the gut
or eats spoiled food. Other times, it can be hard to figure out. With so many organs
in the abdomen, different problems can have similar symptoms.
Here are some things that can cause stomachaches:
Infections
When
or
get into the digestive
system, the body reacts by trying to rid itself of the infection, often through
vomiting or diarrhea.
Bacterial infections cause what we call "food
poisoning." Bacteria also are responsible for other conditions that may cause
belly pain, such as:
Food reactions can be more than eating too much or basic indigestion. When people
can't digest certain foods, doctors say they have a food
intolerance. Lactose
intolerance, for example, causes belly pain when someone eats milk products. If
you notice your child complaining of pain or other symptoms like gas, bloating, or
diarrhea after eating certain foods, call your doctor.
Conditions like celiac
disease (a reaction to proteins in some grains) or food
allergies (like peanut
allergy) are different from food intolerance. They involve immune
system reactions that can actually harm the body beyond just producing a temporary
reaction. Someone who has a true food allergy must always avoid that food.
Reproductive Problems
The digestive system isn't the only cause of stomachaches. Menstrual
cramps are a common cause of pain in the reproductive organs. Infections in the
reproductive system, such as pelvic
inflammatory disease, also can cause abdominal pain in girls.
Testicular injuries can make a guy feel sick or even throw up if they are severe.
Women often feel nausea during pregnancy. Ectopic
pregnancies (when the pregnancy implants in the wrong place) can cause abdominal
pain.
Because problems like ectopic pregnancy need quick treatment, girls who have belly
pain and think they might be pregnant should call a doctor right away. And girls who
have had unprotected sex should be tested for STDs. Untreated STDs can cause problems
like infertility and chronic belly or pelvic pain.
Teenagers should always use a condom
when having sex to protect against STDs and pregnancy.
Anatomical Problems
Some diseases or defects can affect how the organs do their jobs, causing pain.
Crohn's disease
can make the intestinal wall swell and scar so much that it may block the intestine.
Hernias also can block
the intestines, as can growths like tumors. Torsion is a medical term that means "twisting."
Torsion can affect the intestines, ovaries, and testicles,
cutting off blood supply or affecting how they work.
Emotional Upset
When kids get stressed,
anxious, or
depressed,
their emotions can trigger physical symptoms, such as headaches or abdominal pain.
Other Causes
Belly pain also can be due to problems that can happen when people have certain
illnesses, such as sickle
cell disease or diabetes.
How Do Doctors Find the Cause of a Stomachache?
To find the cause of a stomachache, doctors ask about:
the symptoms
illnesses the child had in the past
health conditions that other family members have
The doctor will do an exam and sometimes might order tests, such as an X-ray,
ultrasound,
or blood test. It all depends on what the doctor thinks is causing the problem.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Sometimes, what seems like one problem — food poisoning, for example — can turn
out to be something more serious, like appendicitis.
Call the doctor if your child has a stomachache and:
the pain seems very strong or gets worse over time
the pain wakes them up from sleep
the pain is in the right lower side of the belly
is vomiting a lot
is very fussy
is lethargic (very sleepy)
has another health condition
Let the doctor know about other symptoms your child has, such as:
Also tell the doctor if the pain is from an injury, or if you think your daughter
might be pregnant.
How Can I Help My Child?
Most bellyaches in kids and teens don't have a serious cause. They can happen for
many different reasons, but most are easy
to treat.
If stress or anxiety seem to be behind the pain, for example, the doctor may recommend
talking to a counselor or therapist.
They can help people figure out what's behind their stress, and give advice on how
to fix problems or handle them better.
Can Stomachaches Be Prevented?
Not all belly pain can be prevented. But to help avoid common types of stomachaches,
everyone in the family should:
Wash their hands before eating or preparing food, and after using the bathroom.
Eat healthy portions,
and try not to eat right before going to sleep.
Drink plenty of water and eat fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables,
to keep food moving through the digestive system.
Avoid foods
that have passed their expiration date or weren't stored properly.
Avoid foods that make them sick if they have a food allergy or intolerance. If
they have a food allergy, they should always have access to an epinephrine auto-injector,
and should know when and how to use it if they are old enough.
