Common Causes For Stomach Pain In Children And When To Worry
09Pain that’s aggravated when abdominal muscles are tightened
What it could be
A child can strain abdominal wall muscles in the wake of prolonged bouts of vomiting or coughing, or after a sport like tennis or softball. The pain is relatively constant but will often worsen when he tenses his tummy muscles.
What parents can do
Have your child lie down and try lifting his legs. If the pain intensifies, it’s probably a simple muscle strain that will eventually subside. In the meantime, ibuprofen and ice or heat packs can ease the ache.
When to worry
Call your doctor if the pain doesn’t start to improve after a few days, keeps getting worse, or makes it hard for your child to walk, play or move normally. Get medical advice sooner if the pain comes with fever, vomiting, swelling, bruising, trouble breathing, or belly pain, even when the muscles are relaxed, since that may point to something more than a simple muscle strain.
