How your pediatrician in Holly Springs, NC, can help relieve your child’s abdominal pain
Recurrent abdominal pain can be caused by a variety of things, from easily treatable issues like constipation, to more serious medical conditions like an infection. Fortunately, your pediatrician is an expert at diagnosis and treatment of recurrent abdominal pain and can help your child feel better.
Dr. Maria Castro at StarLight Pediatrics in Holly Springs, NC, offers a wide range of children’s medical services, including treatment of recurrent abdominal pain.
Mild abdominal pain can be caused by:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal upset
You can try a few simple tips at home to help your child feel better, including:
- Changing to a liquid diet temporarily until your child feels better
- Taking over-the-counter medications designed for children, like Children’s Tylenol
Moderate to severe abdominal pain that comes back should be treated by your pediatrician. Recurrent abdominal pain can be caused by:
- A bladder or kidney infection
- Gastroenteritis or gastritis
- A urinary tract infection
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- A peptic ulcer
- A hiatal or inguinal hernia
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
It’s especially important for your child to see the pediatrician if the recurrent abdominal pain is accompanied by:
- A high fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sudden weight loss
- Blood in the stool
- Yellowing of the skin
- Abdominal swelling
Depending on your child’s symptoms, the pediatrician may order laboratory testing to test for hepatitis and other conditions. Imaging studies, including an abdominal ultrasound may also be recommended.
After the underlying cause of recurrent abdominal pain is determined, your pediatrician will develop a comprehensive treatment plan to help your child feel better. The treatment plan may include:
- Antibiotic medications if the abdominal pain is caused by an infection
- Anti-diarrheal medications to control diarrhea symptoms
- Laxatives and other medications to help regulate bowel movements
- Pain-relievers and fever reducers, to help your child feel better
- Dietary modifications, to improve digestion and control painful symptoms
To learn more about the causes and treatment of recurrent abdominal pain, call Dr. Maria Castro at StarLight Pediatrics in Holly Springs, NC. You can reach her in the office by calling (919) 762-5113, so call today.