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Suggest Treatment For Abdominal Pain With Diarrhea In A Child
Question: I am watching my two and half old grandson and he woke up last nite crying tha his belly hurt. He did have diarrhea yesterday , but seemed better today. Diarrhea was some better today, but he's now complaining that his belly hurts again. He complains about every half hour. He wakes up from being sound asleep. Could this just be a stomach flu?
Brief Answer:
About his abdominal pain.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Most likely he has a viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu), but if he also has a fever, if his abdomen hurts a lot when you press on it or he looks like he is in more pain when he walks, or if the pain becomes increasing in nature, then do take him in to be seen to make sure it isn't appendicitis. Some signs of appendicitis are pain after you press on his tummy and then quickly release pressure by removing your hand; increased pain with coughing (you can ask him to give a big cough); and pain that was originally near the navel becoming more in the right lower part of his tummy.
But most likely it is a passing virus. Try a hot water bottle on his tummy to relax cramping pain, keep him well hydrated (water, popsicles, oral rehydration fluids like Pedialyte or Gatorade; no soda that have artificial sweeteners and no juice right now). Foods that are usually well tolerated during gastroenteritis are apple sauce, toast, bananas, and rice.
But if the pain is increasing, take him in to be seen. I hope this helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
About his abdominal pain.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Most likely he has a viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu), but if he also has a fever, if his abdomen hurts a lot when you press on it or he looks like he is in more pain when he walks, or if the pain becomes increasing in nature, then do take him in to be seen to make sure it isn't appendicitis. Some signs of appendicitis are pain after you press on his tummy and then quickly release pressure by removing your hand; increased pain with coughing (you can ask him to give a big cough); and pain that was originally near the navel becoming more in the right lower part of his tummy.
But most likely it is a passing virus. Try a hot water bottle on his tummy to relax cramping pain, keep him well hydrated (water, popsicles, oral rehydration fluids like Pedialyte or Gatorade; no soda that have artificial sweeteners and no juice right now). Foods that are usually well tolerated during gastroenteritis are apple sauce, toast, bananas, and rice.
But if the pain is increasing, take him in to be seen. I hope this helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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