Stomach ache is one of the common complaints among school-going children, and this can range from mild discomfort to intense pain, which can be caused by anything from irritation to stress. While the majority of the cases are not at all serious, frequent episodes of stomach ache can affect the learning, mood and overall well-being of kids, which is the main reason that consulting the doctors at pediatric hospital will be recommended for parents. Managing the stomach ache effectively will include identification of the root cause, providing relief and preventing future episodes.

Detailed tips that you need to know for managing school-going kids and stomach pain:

  1. Understanding the exact cause: Before proceeding with treatment of stomach ache, it is very much important for the people to understand the possible trigger options because common causes in the school going kids will be indigestion due to overeating, gas and bloating due to certain element of food items and constipation due to reduced fibre intake and a regular toilet habit. Additionally, there might be a situation of food intolerance or allergies with stress and anxiety due to any issue. So, analysing all of these concerns will be very important for parents so that they can discuss the things openly with the doctor and eventually remain on the right path of treatment at all times.
  2. You should encourage rest in kids: The kids who have been suffering from such particular issues must always focus on following a comprehensive rest routine so that there is no chance of any kind of problem, and comfortable positioning will be very well maintained. Sometimes lying down with knees slightly bent will ease the discomfort and will provide you with appropriate support, which is the main reason that you need to be clear about ensuring that the environment is quiet and relaxing so that you can calm down and deal with the pain if it is stress-related.
  3. Offering a small quantity of water to the kids: Dehydration will lead to a significant number of issues in the kids related to stomach pain, and offering them a small sip of lukewarm water with ORS will be highly recommended so that the children will remain active without any problem. You should avoid sugar and fizzy drinks in this particular case because they can lead to further issues in the stomach. 
  4. Using the warm compress: Placing the warm water bottle and heating pad wrapped in a cloth on the stomach of kids will allow them to remain relaxed, and further this will provide them with appropriate support in dealing with abdominal muscles by reducing the cramps. Reducing the heat application to 15-20 minutes at a time will always be very important so that skin irritation will be prevented, and there is no chance of any kind of problem. 
  5. Making the dietary adjustments: If the stomach ache is related to an element of digestion, then you should provide kids with appropriate adjustments to manage the issues. Avoiding oily, spicy and junk food will be very important and providing the kids with bland food items will be highly recommended so that things are sorted out. For the constipation, it is very important for parents to provide the kids with high fibre food items like fruits, vegetables and whole grains so that a light and balanced diet will be helpful in dealing with digestive system issues without any problem.
  6. Encouraging gentle movement: If the stomach ache is due to gas or mild constipation, then definitely you should focus on stimulating the things very easily and make sure that there is no chance of any kind of discomfort. Kids should focus on avoiding intense physical activity until they feel better, and eventually, focusing on gentle movement is always very important to avoid further worsening of the condition.
  7. It is important to watch for food triggers: Some children are very sensitive to certain food items like dairy, processed snacks and high-fat items, which is the main reason that keeping a food diary will be very important to keep track of what your child is actually eating so that there are no recurring symptoms. Consulting the doctor at child hospital for maintaining the food diary will be very important so that everything will be very well sorted out, and further, you will be able to make sure that identification of the possible chances of intolerance and allergies will be very well done. 
  8. Promoting good toilet habits: Constipation is usually a cause of stomachache in school-going kids, and encouraging your kids to use the toilet regularly, specifically after a meal, is important to avoid any problems. Taking enough time in the restroom without feeling rushed is also very important, and drinking plenty of water with fibre-rich food items is a good idea to avoid any kind of issue. Avoiding the habit of holding it in is important because it will lead to further issues in constipation, which is the main reason that promoting good habits is important to avoid any issues in the long run.
  9. Teaching the kids about stress relief techniques: Sometimes the stomach ache will be linked with anxiety and stress about the school work, tests and social situations. So, helping your child out by talking openly about such conditions which are bothering them is important and encouraging the deep breathing exercises will be a very good idea so that things are sorted out. Providing the kids with appropriate downtime for hobbies and playing after school is a good approach because if the school-related anxiety is frequent, then it could lead to significant issues. Additionally, connecting with teachers and counsellors will also be very important so that everybody can enjoy appropriate emotional support without any issues.

Conclusion

 Apart from the above-mentioned points, keeping the communication open with the school teachers and doctors at gastroenterology hospital for children will be recommended for parents so that preventive strategies will be very well implemented. Additionally, you should focus on observing the symptoms of the child very carefully, and whenever you are in doubt, you should seek medical advice from professionals. With a proactive approach, you will be able to make sure that the child is remaining active, comfortable and will be ready to enjoy their school days without unnecessary tummy trouble.    

Photo: Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels


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