ABDOMINAL pain is prevalent among children, but it can be challenging to diagnose the actual cause of the painful sensation.
While children frequently complain about stomach or abdominal pain, they usually feel better after a few hours or days without any treatment.
Generally, stomach or abdominal pain is usually innocuous, but it should not be ignored.
In some cases, it could be a symptom of something more serious, such as appendicitis or gastroenteritis.
Having practiced medicine in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Dr Justin Chai has extensive experience dealing with children who suffer from abdominal pain.
"I think the most important thing is, as a parent, you should trust your gut feeling. For example, suppose you feel that something is very wrong, and you are worried, you should bring your child to the nearest hospital emergency or healthcare clinic to see a doctor," said Dr Justin Chai, the head of the emergency department at Gleneagles Hospital Kota Kinabalu.
UNDERLYING CAUSES
Common causes of abdominal pain seen in the emergency room are abdominal colic, food indigestion, gastrointestinal tract infections, acute appendicitis and even post-trauma soft tissue injuries.
According to Dr Justin, some cases of abdominal pain are due to external factors like emotional stress and anxiety episodes.
When asked about the differences between a regular stomach ache and acute abdominal pain, he stated that any type of pain in the abdominal region would be considered as such. This is because children are not able to pinpoint where the pain is emanating from.
"In terms of symptoms, it is crucial to note all accompanying or associated symptoms with abdominal pain.
"For example, parents should always look out for common symptoms like fever, vomiting, skin rashes, diarrhoea, constipation, episodes, as well as the consistency and colour of stool, or even the presence of blood in the stool," Dr Justin continued.
On top of that, the child's abdomen might feel very tense, distended and bloated due to infection and inflammation in that area.
Additionally, parents may also notice that the child is more irritable and inconsolable when in pain or discomfort.
RECURRENT PAIN
If there is still recurring pain after a trip to the doctor's, it may be a sign that the condition is not fully resolved and requires more treatment.
Dr Justin notes that these types of recurring pain might give doctors and parents clues about its trigger.
Parents are advised to follow the doctor's instructions and treatment plan once the cause of the child's abdominal pain is determined.
Dr Justin also cautions parents against using medications or even warm water compresses.
"Since each child has their way of dealing with pain and discomfort, parents would also probably know the child's likes and dislikes," he said.
As a parent, the most important thing is understanding the child, being able to sense when they exhibit signs of abnormal discomfort and attending to them with absolute attention.
Furthermore, Dr Justin advises parents to seek immediate medical attention as soon as possible so that the child's condition does not deteriorate further.
DO'S AND DON'TS
Lastly, many people ask what the child is allowed to eat during the recovery period, to which Dr Justin states that it depends on the child's regular dietary habits.
"Of course, as a doctor, we will advise for a well-balanced nutritional meal that's palatable to the child. It is not advisable to try something new as it may cause further problems or upset the condition further," he added.