Pediatric Abdominal Pain Treatment Specialist in Kirkland, WA

There are several different types and causes of abdominal pain that more commonly affect children, often resulting in pain such as stomach aches, cramping, as well as sharp or dull pain. The types of abdominal pain can also be differentiated based on the cause and location of the pain. The different areas of the abdomen that can be differentiated in pain include upper abdominal pain, which is pain anywhere above the belly button, versus lower abdominal pain which is pain experienced in the abdomen anywhere below the belly button. Abdominal pain can also be categorized between the left and right side of the abdomen, with different causes leading to pain being experienced in any one of the quadrants, if not multiple areas at once, providing more information to help diagnose the cause of the pain.

Depending on the cause of lower abdominal pain in your child, at-home remedies may be all that is needed to provide sufficient relief for the pain. More serious causes of abdominal pain will likely require treatment from a qualified healthcare provider. Some at-home remedies that you can try to relieve lower abdominal pain in your child include encouraging and helping them to drink plenty of clear fluids such as water and juice. If your child is feeling unwell, they do not need to eat, especially if they are unable to keep food down, but medical attention should be sought. If your child is hungry, bland foods will be the best to prevent further abdominal pain, such as crackers, toast, bananas, or rice. Running a warm bath for your child or applying a warm compress to their abdomen can also be very effective in providing pain relief.

Common causes of abdominal pain in children include digestive problems, such as constipation, gas, indigestion, colic, or irritable bowel syndrome. Several types of infections can lead to abdominal pain as one of the symptoms, including gastroenteritis, kidney infections, bladder, infections, urinary tract infections, or infections in other parts of the body such as the chest or the ear. Allergies or intolerances to food can lead to abdominal pain, as well as food poisoning or consuming too much food. Children may also suffer from varying degrees of abdominal pain due to muscle strain caused by physical activity. Abdominal pain can be diagnosed based on symptoms, with different causes leading to the pain being experienced in the upper or lower portion of the abdomen, or, depending on if the pain is being experienced within the right or left side of the abdomen. The cause of the pain may also be determined or at least narrowed down depending on the description of the pain being experienced, with common descriptive terms including the pain being sharp or dull, persistent, or coming and going, cramping, and varying in the severity of the pain.

The best course of treatment for pediatric abdominal pain will vary depending on the underlying cause of the pain. A visit to a pediatrician can help to determine the exact cause of pain and will often be necessary to ensure that your child can receive an accurate treatment plan. Some common treatment options for abdominal pain in children provided by healthcare professionals include over-the-counter pain medication, changes to the child’s diet, antibiotics if the cause of the pain is an infection, or just recommended rest and at-home remedies. The healthcare professional who is providing care for your child’s abdominal pain will provide you with a personalized treatment plan based on the cause of the pain as well as the specific symptoms to have your child feeling better as quickly as possible. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Kirkland WA, Seattle WA, Shoreline WA, Lake Forest Park WA, Kenmore WA, Woodinville WA, Mountlake Terrace WA, Woodway WA, Edmonds WA, Lynnwood WA, Bothell WA and Lake Washington WA.