Tummy troubles have more causes than you may realize. Although you cannot always blame a virus, it is often responsible for the discomfort. “There are gastrointestinal viruses year-round where you see vomiting and then diarrhea for up to two weeks before stools return to normal,” says Dr. Alexandria Bahr of Priority Care Pediatrics in Kansas City. “As long as there is no blood in the stool or blood or bile in vomit, then it takes you down a different path.” An intense 24-hour virus is also common.
Management is simple. “You should eat yogurt with active cultures or do Lactinex or culture granules which put good bacteria that you need for digesting back into your gastrointestinal system,” advises Bahr. Oral rehydration therapy is also recommended. “Give kids a teaspoon every minute or two minutes if they are vomiting and it is hard to keep anything down. Gradually build up the volume and space out the intervals as they can tolerate it,” says Bahr. Avoid resorting to IV therapy. “Oral rehydration therapy is more effective because it continues to use your gastrointestinal system,” explains Bahr. Resting and fluids can be helpful. “You want to prevent electrolyte disturbance and dehydration. The gold standard is Pedialyte, which is a pre-prepared fluid,” says Dr. James McEntire of Preferred Pediatrics in Lee’s Summit.
Sometimes tummy troubles can be induced by anxiety. “There is a stress-related dismotility which is a non-effective muscular action of the intestinal wall. They get cramps, sometimes fairly uncomfortable emergency room visits, school absenteeism for abdominal pain complaints and diarrhea from hypermotility,” says McEntire. Children really are affected by their daily lives. “Their emotional experiences are triggering physical experiences,” explains Bahr.
Food sensitivity is another contributor. “The most common is lactose intolerance, which is a partial or complete inability to break down lactose. So when you drink milk you become bloated, crampy, have pain, flatulence and burping,” says McEntire. Other foods can be equally troublesome. “You want to identify the offending food and eliminate it and then you have no symptoms,” encourages McEntire.
Try to pinpoint the cause for the stomachache. “Look for a pattern,” suggests Bahr. Behavioral changes can offer clues. “Any time you feel your child is acting differently than he typically does, he should come in,” advises McEntire. It is important to be sure that your tummy troubles are just a stomachache. “The stomach flu is a misnomer because there are various viruses, intestinal problems and infectious diseases that can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,” McEntire says.
Help your child be prepared by talking to the school nurse. “I have had some kids keep Tums at the school nurse’s office in case they have problems. This way they know there is something they can do to give them a sense of control that they have a plan,” shares Bahr. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s hand washing campaign notes hand washing prevents illness and the spread of germs. Remember to use good hygiene and manage stress as a parent to guard against tummy troubles, too.