STOMACH PAIN

    What Causes Stomach Pain?

1. Gas from swallowing air or eating certain foods is a common cause.
2. Worry and nervousness.
3. Infections such as sore throats, flu, earaches, and pneumonia.
4. Spoiled food.
5. Appendicitis, gallstones, and ulcers are more serious but less common causes.

    What Are Some Of The Causes Of Stomach Pain In Children And Infants?

1. Constipation sometimes results in stomach ache.
2. Colic occurs in the first two to three months of life and probably is due to stomach pain. It is most common in the evening. Babies cry and often draw their legs up. This may be frightening to parents but it is probably not serious unless there is vomiting, diarrhea, or fever along with the crying. Rocking a warm bottle, or burping may help to calm the infant.
3. Some children complain of a stomach ache only when it is time for school or chores. The stomach ache may be because they are nervous, upset, or worried.

    What Is The Home Treatment For Stomach Pain?

1. If there is diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting with stomach pain, read those sections in this booklet.
2. Young children who are busy playing may forget to have a bowel movement. Remind them to do so if they complain of stomach ache.
3. Avoid any foods or beverages that you know upset your stomach. Alcohol, beer or whiskey, coffee, and greasy foods often upset stomachs.
4. If you have the flu or a cold with stomach pain, do not eat heavy, spicy, or greasy foods or dairy products. You may even want to have just liquids for a day.
5. If the pain is in the upper part of the stomach, liquid antacids may be helpful.

When Should You Call The Doctor?  

Call your doctor for any of the following:

• if a person has swallowed an object.
• if a person has swallowed poison.
• pain lasting over six hours.
• if pain gets worse or moves from place to place.
• pain occurring in only one part of the stomach.
• severe pain with fever.
• pain or burning with urination or more frequent urination than usual (may mean urine infection).
• vomiting and being unable to keep any liquids down.
• very forceful vomiting.
• yellow skin or eyes
• rash or joint pain with the stomach ache.
• if a person has been hit in the stomach or side.