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What Causes Recurrent Stomach Pain And Vomiting In A Child?
Question: Hello my eight yr. old daughter has been having recurrent stomach issues, pain in middle abdomen, sometimes she will vomit, and sometimes not, these symptoms ARE ONLY PRESENT AT NIGHT! never daytime, she has had bloodwk, ctscan, and urine tested all normal. THe dr. put her on 150mg of Zantac 2xs per day, she started saturday...but last night she had an episode... what can this be? can lactose intolerance only be night? I have a gastro. dr. appt. next week? she said it wakes her out of sleep.also how many days does zantac takes to work if it is going to?
Brief Answer:
Intestinal parasites/appendicitis to be ruled out.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Zantac needs minimally 5 days to work. It is still early to judge on its effect as you have been using only 1 day after the episode.
I suggest to run fecal examination for ova/parasites because the intestinal parasitic infections symptoms are present mainly at night.
Gastritis or GERD should also be ruled out.
With regards to lactose intolerance, the symptoms are present all the day and night and she would also have bloating and diarrhea.
Appendicitis should be ruled out too as sometimes, the clinic is often silent and can occur for many years until severe damage of appendix occur. Get her checked by surgeon.
Wish fast recovery!
Dr.Klerida
Intestinal parasites/appendicitis to be ruled out.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Zantac needs minimally 5 days to work. It is still early to judge on its effect as you have been using only 1 day after the episode.
I suggest to run fecal examination for ova/parasites because the intestinal parasitic infections symptoms are present mainly at night.
Gastritis or GERD should also be ruled out.
With regards to lactose intolerance, the symptoms are present all the day and night and she would also have bloating and diarrhea.
Appendicitis should be ruled out too as sometimes, the clinic is often silent and can occur for many years until severe damage of appendix occur. Get her checked by surgeon.
Wish fast recovery!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
where would she get parasites? from? we live in nj? would they show up on ct scan? she does like fried foods, and typical child diet, pizza, chicken nuggets, etc?
Brief Answer:
Ways of transmission for intestinal parasites
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Parasites can be taken if she is in contact with people or food infected with intestinal parasites. If you have been traveling overseas (in countries with high prevalence of intestinal parasites), most probably, she would have get there.
Next, the foods she likes are prepared from others (in fast-foods, restoraunts, etc.). Although good hygienic measures or strict control of cookers, sometimes, the cooker might be a chronic carries (the parasite is not causing disease), while he/she can transmit the parasite to the others (people who are eating the food prepared from him/her).
Do not get scared. Having intestinal parasites is not the end of the world. That can be perfectly treated through anti-parasitic drugs. Ct-scan does not show parasites (unless it is a large one, which is less likely to happen). Examine her stool for ova/parasites (I insist) and talk to her doctor to rule out appendicitis.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Ways of transmission for intestinal parasites
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Parasites can be taken if she is in contact with people or food infected with intestinal parasites. If you have been traveling overseas (in countries with high prevalence of intestinal parasites), most probably, she would have get there.
Next, the foods she likes are prepared from others (in fast-foods, restoraunts, etc.). Although good hygienic measures or strict control of cookers, sometimes, the cooker might be a chronic carries (the parasite is not causing disease), while he/she can transmit the parasite to the others (people who are eating the food prepared from him/her).
Do not get scared. Having intestinal parasites is not the end of the world. That can be perfectly treated through anti-parasitic drugs. Ct-scan does not show parasites (unless it is a large one, which is less likely to happen). Examine her stool for ova/parasites (I insist) and talk to her doctor to rule out appendicitis.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
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
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