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What Causes Stomach Ache In A Child?
My 7 year old has had stomach pain for 27 months. We have worked with two highly recommended teams of pediatric gastroenterologists here in NYC, to no avail. She has had a wealth of tests and exams. We have tried their medications with no results and am recently currently working with a homeopathic Dr. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. She has pain daily and wakes up with it as well. It s been a really rough time foe her and myself.
Wed, 26 Sep 2018
Hello,
I am a paediatrician, not a pediatric gastroenterologist, however, as part of my training, I have been involved in the care of many children who are suffering like your daughter.
I request that you consider another possibility. She may have recurrent abdominal pain(RAP) which goes by other names such as chronic abdominal pain.
This condition is not uncommon among children your daughter's age. It involves the "brain-gut axis." Psychological symptoms are very common in patients with RAP. Psychological stress can alter gastrointestinal motor function.
Such that when feelings such as anxiety or depression are experienced by the brain, the brain sends signals to the nerves in the gastrointestinal lining to a contractor to move intestinal contents along faster.
This can cause pain. There is usually some loss of daily activity and other somatic complaints like difficulty sleeping, limb pain, or headache.
Many patients(assuming the diagnosis is correct) seem to get better when treated with a biopsychosocial approach.
You might be able to locate such a doctor a university medical centre.
Let me suggest you try to find a pediatric gastroenterologist or child psychiatrist who has a special interest in caring for children with this condition.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Arnold Zedd, Pediatrician
I am a paediatrician, not a pediatric gastroenterologist, however, as part of my training, I have been involved in the care of many children who are suffering like your daughter.
I request that you consider another possibility. She may have recurrent abdominal pain(RAP) which goes by other names such as chronic abdominal pain.
This condition is not uncommon among children your daughter's age. It involves the "brain-gut axis." Psychological symptoms are very common in patients with RAP. Psychological stress can alter gastrointestinal motor function.
Such that when feelings such as anxiety or depression are experienced by the brain, the brain sends signals to the nerves in the gastrointestinal lining to a contractor to move intestinal contents along faster.
This can cause pain. There is usually some loss of daily activity and other somatic complaints like difficulty sleeping, limb pain, or headache.
Many patients(assuming the diagnosis is correct) seem to get better when treated with a biopsychosocial approach.
You might be able to locate such a doctor a university medical centre.
Let me suggest you try to find a pediatric gastroenterologist or child psychiatrist who has a special interest in caring for children with this condition.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Arnold Zedd, Pediatrician
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