How to handle kids’ tummy troubles
Finding the source of kids’ stomach discomfort can take some detective work. It could be caused by anxiety, a virus, something they ate – or something else entirely.
Elissa M. Downs, MD MPH, a pediatric gastroenterologist with M Health Fairview Pediatrics and an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, gives advice for narrowing down the cause, easing tummy troubles at home and knowing when to see a specialist.
Tummy troubles might not just be a minor inconvenience. They could be persistent and painful. Your child’s pediatrician or a gastroenterologist can help find the cause.
Is it an illness?
If a child has a fever or other symptoms along with their stomach issues, the cause is probably an illness like influenza or COVID, or a diarrheal illness like rotavirus. The viruses can all cause stomach pain, diarrhea or sometimes constipation, or vomiting. To help avoid these illnesses, get your recommended vaccines, like the flu shot, and wash hands frequently.
Bacteria, like salmonella, can also cause stomach issues like diarrhea and cramping. Salmonella is spread through contaminated food and water. The best ways to avoid salmonella are by washing hands, cooking food properly, and looking for recalled foods in your fridge or pantry.
When a child is sick, make sure to encourage drinking lots of water. Kids usually recover in a few days, but if fever, vomiting, or diarrhea lasts longer, your child might need to go to urgent care.
Is your child eating something different?
The foods your child is eating could cause stomach issues. An intolerance or allergy could be to blame. Gluten and dairy products are common culprits.
Downs said she also sees reflux and heartburn-related issues, particularly in adolescents and teens. They might describe their discomfort as chest pain, a burning sensation, sour burps, or vomit in the back of their throats. Common trigger foods and beverages include:
- Spicy foods
- Greasy foods
- Tomato-based foods or sauces
- Minty foods
- Chocolate
- Caffeinated beverages
- Carbonated beverages.
“Sometimes kids are eating too much at one time or eating really late at night,” Downs said. “We also ask them to cut back on hot Cheetos, Takis, or other spicy foods and see if they feel better.”
If you suspect your child is experiencing reflux or heartburn, have them sip on some water. Taking slow, deep breaths can also help them relax. Older kids can chew gum, which might help decrease regurgitation. Nonprescription antacid medication like Tums or Maalox could also relieve their symptoms.
If symptoms continue, see their pediatrician or a gastroenterologist, who can prescribe medication or do an endoscopy procedure to guide treatment.
How is your child’s mental health?
It’s common for kids – and adults – to complain of a stomachache when they are experiencing stress or anxiety. That’s because the gastrointestinal system is a sensitive system that’s always in communication with the brain.
“We can often see a significant amount of GI distress in children and teens who struggle with their mental health,” Downs said. “In that circumstance, the gut cannot be helped in isolation. We need children to be focusing on improving their mental health, while we're also trying to help their gut feel better.”
It used to be called a nervous tummy or irritable bowel syndrome. But as medical professionals learn more about the link between the gut and the brain, the terminology has shifted to calling it disorders of gut brain interaction.
Has your child pooped lately?
Constipation, or difficulty pooping, is common among kids. If they've become irregular, which can happen after a change in schedule like a vacation, illness, or going back to school, they might feel pain or pressure in their belly area.
- Downs recommends having them:
- Drink more water, while limiting milk and juice.
- Eat fiber-containing foods, like fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds.
Get some physical activity.
If your child’s stomach issues persist, talk to their pediatrician or a gastroenterologist who can help diagnose the issue and help your child feel better.
