Is it normal for my child to have stomach aches so often?
April 28, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by David Schmitt
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am concerned about my child, as he has been suffering from frequent stomach aches lately. My son, Dietrich Schmid, is 8 years old and has rarely had problems with stomach aches before. However, in the past few weeks, he has been complaining almost daily about pain in his stomach area. The pain usually occurs after eating and lasts for several hours. Often, he is unable to play or concentrate properly because the pain is so severe.
I have tried to identify if there is a specific trigger for the stomach aches, but so far I have not been able to find a clear connection to certain foods or activities. I am very worried about my child's health and wonder if it is normal for a child of his age to suffer from stomach aches so often.
Could the pain be psychosomatic in nature? Or could it be a serious illness? Are there possible causes that I have not considered? What examinations would you recommend to identify the cause of my child's stomach aches? And are there specific measures I can take to help my child alleviate or prevent the pain?
I would greatly appreciate your assessment and advice on this matter. Thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Dietrich Schmid (on behalf of my son)
Dear Mr. Schmid,
I understand your concerns about your son's health and will try to help you with his recurring stomach pains.
Stomach pains in children are actually quite common, but they should not be dismissed as normal. It is important to identify the cause of your son's discomfort in order to provide him with the best possible treatment.
Since your son's stomach pains occur after eating, it could be related to his diet. It is possible that he does not tolerate certain foods well or has developed an intolerance to certain foods. It could also be that he is experiencing stress or emotional problems, which then manifest as stomach pains. In this case, the pain would be psychosomatic in nature.
To identify the exact cause of your son's stomach pains, I recommend making an appointment with a pediatrician. The doctor can conduct a thorough medical history to identify possible triggers for the discomfort. Further tests such as blood tests, stool samples, or an ultrasound may be necessary to make a precise diagnosis.
In the meantime, you could try keeping a pain diary for your son to identify any patterns related to the pain. Pay attention to whether the pain occurs after certain foods or if it is related to stressful situations.
It is also important to talk to your son about his stomach pains and reassure him that he can openly discuss his discomfort. Make him feel that you are listening and want to help him.
I hope this information helps you and wish your son a speedy recovery. Don't hesitate to make an appointment with a pediatrician to clarify the cause of your son's stomach pains.
Sincerely,
David Schmitt
