| It's a challenge for us and the doctor to find out the | | | | most of us but for our little ones thet can cause, |
| cause of those frustrating tummy aches. Sometimes | | | | allergic reactions known as hypersensitivity reaction. |
| the pain requires some common sense. Other times it | | | | Sometimes the symptoms can be life threatening and |
| can be an emergency. The causes can be related to | | | | are known as anaphylactic shock or anaphylaxis. |
| food, infections, poisoning, insect bites, and the list | | | | Again, call your doctor or visit an emergency room |
| goes on. | | | | immediately. |
| Bacteria and viruses are infections that should conern | | | | Poisoning can also be due to overdose of medicines |
| you most. Gastroenteritis and stomach flu are some | | | | which, do I need to say it, you should keep in a |
| of the examples of infections that can cause | | | | secure place away from your children. The same is |
| stomach aches. Gastroenteritis is the inflammation | | | | true for non-food stuffs like common household |
| and irritation of stomach and the gastrointestinal | | | | chemicals. Keep them safely locked away. |
| passage. Stomach pain due to viral infections usually | | | | Inexpensive drawer and door latches can be |
| go away quickly, but bacterial infections demand | | | | purchased almost anywhere, even online. |
| antibiotics. In both the cases, some children recover | | | | Insect bites, such as spider bites and wasp stings, |
| quickly. If recovery includes diarrhea, your child should | | | | can also lead to pain in the abdomen due to an |
| be given plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. | | | | allergic reaction. It can be accompanied with muscle |
| Food related stomach aches can be caused because | | | | cramps, weakness, nausea, tremor, vomiting and can |
| of food poisoning, gas production, excess food | | | | cause dizziness, fainting, respiratory problems, and |
| ingestion and food allergies. Problems caused by food | | | | chest pain, increases in heart rate and blood pressure |
| poisoning can be extreme or minor depending on the | | | | level. These are all dangerous warning flags that |
| source of the poisoning. The national news gives us | | | | should be heeded. |
| plenty of information, some scary, some helpful that | | | | In very rare cases, especially among children, tummy |
| we must wade through for what fits our situation at | | | | pain can be a sign of appendicitis. If this happens, |
| the moment. | | | | your child will have a higher rate of complications and |
| Symptoms of food poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, | | | | should be immediately rushed to the hospital. The |
| abdominal cramps, and nausea. Usually these | | | | pain starts slowly in the abdomen, specifically near |
| symptoms surface within two days of consumption | | | | the belly button. The pain shifts slowly to the right |
| of contaminated food. Depending on the severity - | | | | side of the lower abdomen within a time period |
| chill, fever, bloody stools, or damage to the nervous | | | | spanning twenty four hours. Clear symptoms are |
| system can follow. Any suspicion of food poisoning | | | | abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, fever and loss of |
| should be dealt with immediately by a call to your | | | | appetite. |
| family doctor or a visit to a hospital emergency room. | | | | Diabetes can also be a reason for acute tummy pain. |
| Hundreds of diseases are known to be transmitted | | | | Small children usually curl up, cry, or quietly express |
| via food. Food can be poisoned because of toxic | | | | pain through facial expressions. Your child may be |
| agents or infective agents. Infective agents are | | | | reluctant to talk about the pain, but you should press |
| parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Toxic agents are | | | | to get a clear explanation of the problem. Along with |
| uncooked food, exotic foods, and poisonous | | | | close monitoring of the symptoms, studying the |
| mushrooms, for example. Food can get contaminated | | | | location of pain, pain duration, nature of vomiting, and |
| because of handling by unclean workers at the local | | | | urinary problems will help you decide the next course |
| restaurant, too. Remember the recent meat and | | | | of action. Your pediatrician should be consulted and |
| lettuce stories? | | | | they may refer to a gastroenterologist just to be on |
| Going out to eat is another area of possible | | | | the safe side. |
| contamination. You should check your local Health | | | | Help your child to relax during an episode. You should |
| Agency to determine the record of any | | | | keep calm, too! Caressing your child and speaking to |
| establishment you want to visit for the first time, | | | | them in a soothing voice are a big help towards |
| especially if it is newly opened. | | | | easing the pain until professional intervention is |
| Particular foods can cause tummy irritation, such as | | | | reached. |
| diary products which can expose lactose intolerance | | | | Above all, you need to keep your wits about you as |
| for the first time. If your child is allergic to food or | | | | you handle the situation. Don't panic. Panic wastes |
| drinks containing dairy products, swallowing even a | | | | valuable time, clouds your judgement and, most of all, |
| small amount can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, | | | | frightens your little loved one. |
| cramping, and skin rash. These items are harmless for | | | | |