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What Causes Loss Of Appetite And Stomach Pain While Eating In A Child?
Question: My 4 year old son had vomiting on 02/13. Whenever he took food, he vomited. We took him to the doctor and they did the checkup and didn't find any thing worrying. The vomiting stopped from the next day but my son's appetite got decreased drastically. He is eating less than half of his original diet. He didn't loose any weight and he is active as usual. At times, complains of minor stomach pain only while eating and not otherwise and also his stomach is becoming hard after eating. He is attending the nature calls without any issues. Please advise how can we increase the appetite. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Looks like a viral gastritis - he will recover by himself
Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic. This seems like a viral gastritis which is recovering. Usually kids recover by themselves in few days to weeks.
I take this opportunity to tell you certain scientific facts and relieve your distress -
1. An active is a well kid even if she/ he is not eating well.
2. Development of a kid is as important as or I would say even more important than appetite growth alone.
3. As the kids grow their interest in food decreases and interest in play activities increases so that they eat small quantity and run away to play. As parents we need to be more patient and feed than less quantity but more aliquots per day.
4. This age rather than the quantity of the food I suggest you concentrate more on the number of times you feed him and also make whatever you feed her calorie dense by adding good amount of ghee to it.
5. I suggest you not to use appetite stimulants on long run as they may cause drowsiness.
IN FEW DAYS TIME HE WILL RECOVER HIS NORMAL APPETITE.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Looks like a viral gastritis - he will recover by himself
Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic. This seems like a viral gastritis which is recovering. Usually kids recover by themselves in few days to weeks.
I take this opportunity to tell you certain scientific facts and relieve your distress -
1. An active is a well kid even if she/ he is not eating well.
2. Development of a kid is as important as or I would say even more important than appetite growth alone.
3. As the kids grow their interest in food decreases and interest in play activities increases so that they eat small quantity and run away to play. As parents we need to be more patient and feed than less quantity but more aliquots per day.
4. This age rather than the quantity of the food I suggest you concentrate more on the number of times you feed him and also make whatever you feed her calorie dense by adding good amount of ghee to it.
5. I suggest you not to use appetite stimulants on long run as they may cause drowsiness.
IN FEW DAYS TIME HE WILL RECOVER HIS NORMAL APPETITE.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
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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