Functional Abdominal Pain In Children
It got its name because it is caused by a digestive disease, or any other medical problem or other clinical condition. However, it can get in the way of daily life.
What is functional abdominal pain in children?
Specialist lists are not sure where this condition is coming from. However, it can be due to malfunction between the gut and the nervous system, and even the immune system. It ends up with stressful situations or a hypersensitivity to pain.
Recurrent abdominal pain refers to 2 or more episodes of abdominal pain, over a period of 3 months, interfering with normal activity.
Data in Science Direct show that 10-15% of school-age children suffer from this. Moreover, it peaks when children are between 5 and 8, and then returns in adolescence.
How to diagnose functional abdominal pain in children
The diagnosis itself is complicated as it is important to rule out any other condition. For example, make sure your child does not suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia or stomach migraines.
Furthermore, make sure he does not have any kind of food intolerance. In these cases, your child needs special treatment.
You also need to find out what event may have caused the stress. For example, a move, the death of a loved one, parental divorce, etc .. This can also affect the digestive system, irritate it and cause greater or lesser pain.
Dangerous signs
To begin with, your child needs to have a physical exam, to determine his weight and general health. By touching the abdomen, the doctor can see if there is tension, air or inflammation.
On the other hand, keep in mind that some symptoms mean that the pain is actually due to a particular disease. It is important that you tell your doctor if you have noticed any of the following signs:
- Fever without obvious cause
- Weight loss
- Anal injuries
- Traces of blood in the stool
- Frequent diarrhea
- Changes in the child’s growth
- Abdominal pain on the right side
- Persistent vomiting
- Family history with any kind of intestinal disease, stomach ulcers, celiac disease
Treatment of functional abdominal pain
As you can see, this type of pain does not lead to any serious situations or underlying problems. However, it will make your child uncomfortable.
Therefore, your doctor will tell you if you need to use any kind of medication. Paracetamol is usually very effective.
Furthermore, there are some remedies that can help relieve functional abdominal pain in children. For example, you can give a massage or add heat. Sometimes, guidance in stress management may be needed.
How to talk to children about this
It is not about making your child believe that everything is going on in his head as it will make him get worse. However, make it clear that he does not have to worry so much and that it is important that he learns how to handle the pain.
Moreover, he must also understand that it is not necessarily a disease even if he feels real pain. Explain to him that he is loved and that many children feel the same way.
As you can see, functional abdominal pain in children is quite common. Although there is usually no cause for concern, keep a close eye and make sure your child does not have any other problems by talking to your doctor.
In general, these symptoms disappear as the children grow up.
