My child keeps having stomach aches, what could be the cause?
July 3, 2023 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Hildegard Hirschfeld
Dear pediatrician,
I am reaching out to you because my child Luisa Schwarz has been suffering from stomach pains for some time now. Luisa is 8 years old and for about two months she has been regularly complaining of pain in her stomach area. The pain usually occurs after eating and lasts for several hours. She describes the pain as sharp and cramp-like. Luisa has also been experiencing increased bloating and occasional diarrhea.
As a concerned mother, I am naturally worried about the cause of these symptoms. I wonder if it could be a stomach infection that has not healed properly, or if Luisa may be suffering from a food intolerance. I have already tried changing her diet and avoiding certain foods, but the stomach pains still occur regularly.
My main concern is that Luisa feels comfortable and pain-free again. I am worried that the stomach pains could have a negative impact on her quality of life and academic performance. Therefore, I am asking for your professional assessment and recommendations on how we can find and treat the cause of Luisa's stomach pains. Are further tests necessary? Are there specific measures we can take to help Luisa?
Thank you in advance for your time and support.
Sincerely,
Luisa Schwarz's mother
Dear Luisa Schwarz's mother,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise. I am sorry to hear that your daughter Luisa is suffering from recurring abdominal pain. It is understandable that you are concerned about the cause and wish for Luisa to be pain-free again.
The symptoms you describe could be due to various causes. It is possible that Luisa is indeed suffering from a gastrointestinal infection that has not fully healed. In this case, a medical examination and possibly a stool sample may be necessary to determine the exact cause of the symptoms.
Another possible cause of Luisa's abdominal pain could be a food intolerance. It is good that you have already tried to adjust her diet to identify possible triggers. However, keeping a food diary may be helpful in identifying possible connections between certain foods and the abdominal pain.
It is important for Luisa to be examined by a pediatrician to determine the exact cause of her symptoms. The doctor may recommend further tests such as blood tests, ultrasound, or a colonoscopy to make a diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment.
In the meantime, you could try to support Luisa with heat or gentle massages during acute abdominal pain. Relaxation techniques such as yoga or breathing exercises may also be helpful in relieving the symptoms.
I strongly recommend that you make an appointment with a pediatrician to further investigate Luisa's symptoms and receive appropriate treatment. The pediatrician will also be able to provide specific recommendations on how to help Luisa feel comfortable again and identify possible triggers for her abdominal pain.
I am here to support you during the treatment process and offer further assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
Hildegard Hirschfeld
