All parents have been through this distressing experience when their child cries of pain in the stomach, and holds his stomach with tears streaming down. Stomach pain in kids is among the most frequent childhood symptoms which makes parents seek safe and effective treatment and knowing how to cure it in a natural manner may give them relief and spare them from needless medicines. The problem with stomach pain in children is that there are many causes of it, such as not only simple gas and indigestion as such but also more serious diseases that need treatment, so it is essential that the parent must be familiar with the treatment as well as indicators. What is especially troubling about belly ache in children is that little kids cannot always be able to describe the location of the pain or the sensation associated with it, so parents have to guess at the expense of their child. The silver lining is that the majority of stomach pain among children is mild and short-lived, and is due to everyday digestive problems that are highly responsive to basic home treatments that are transmitted through generations and confirmed by the current pediatric care.
Common Reasons for stomach pain in kids
Knowing the reasons behind stomach pain in children, will make you select the best solution. Gas and bloating caused by the ingestion of air during eating or drinking of carbonated beverages, constipation due to lack of sufficient fiber or fluid, indigestion through eating too fast and intake of rich food, food intolerance or mild allergies, stomach flu or viral gastroenteritis, anxiety, or stress, which present themselves as physical stomach pain, are the most common causes of stomach pain in children. Other causes of stomach pain in children are overeating, overeating too fast, lactose intolerance, mild food poisoning and menstrual cramps in older girls. By establishing the exact causes of stomach pain in kids, you can deal with the underlying cause and not only cover up the symptoms.
Top 7 Stomach Pain in Kids Home Remedies
Assessment of the severity of the stomach pain in kids is necessary before administering home remedies. The majority of the cases are benign and are treated with simple interventions. But, also get medical care right away when the pain in your child is persistent (more than 24 hours), severe, and has high fever (more than 102deg F), mixed with bloody or black stool, continuing vomiting, signs of dehydration, abdominal pain (in the lower right side) (possibly appendicitis), or when your child is unable to release gas or stools. Milder stomach pains in children can be safely and effectively treated using home remedies. Some familiar home solutions in stomach aches among children are listed below.
1. Warm Compress or Heating Pad
Warming the stomach is one of the best home remedies of stomach pain in kids. Heat stimulates improvement in blood circulation, relaxes cramping muscles and gives comfort. Put a warm (not hot) bottle of water, a heating pad at its low option or a hot towel on the belly of your child and leave it there 15-20 minutes. This is an easy home remedies method of stomach pains in children and it is effective with gas, constipation and menstrual cramps. Never put the heat source against skin without a cloth so that you can avoid burns.
2. Ginger Tea
Ginger is an ancient digestive aid that has been used centuries and is one of the most effective stomach pain home remedies of children. This is a natural anti-inflammatory which helps in reducing nausea, gas and indigestion. In children older than 2 years, prepare weak ginger tea by placing fresh slices of ginger in hot water and letting them steep 5 minutes and then adding some cooler liquid until the water is at a comfortable temperature. Add honey to taste (only to children who are more than 1 year old). This is a good stomach pain in kids home remedies which works especially in nausea and indigestion.
3. Peppermint
Peppermint is among the most suitable home remedies of stomach pains in kids due to its antispasmodic qualities. In older children (above 8 years), peppermint tea may alleviate the digestive discomfort. In case of younger children, the application of diluted peppermint oil onto the abdomen (but never taken undiluted) or the mere smell of peppermint would help. This is a home remedies method of treating stomach pain in children that relaxes intestinal muscles and facilitates the release of gases.
4. BRAT Diet
In cases of stomach pain in children, when it is accompanied with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) is an empirically proven solution. These are uninspired easy-to-eat foods that are mild to gagging stomachs, yet contain the required nutrients and energy. Bananas are used to replace lost potassium, and rice and toast are binding carbohydrates and applesauce is easily digestible. This type of dietary intervention is used to treat the etiology of stomach pain in children associated with gastroenteritis or food allergies.
5. Gentle Belly Massage
One of the most effective home remedies of stomach pain in children that parents can offer is a soothing massaging of the abdomen. Massage the belly of the child with circular motions (clockwise (following the direction of the colon)) 5-10 minutes. This assists in passing gas along the intestines, constipation and emotional comfort. This stomach pain in kids home remedies is especially effective when using anxiety related stomach problems because of the combination of physical relief and parental touch.
6. Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are rich in compounds that weaken the muscles of the digestive tracts, and decrease the production of gas. To prepare fennel tea in children above 6 years of age, steep 1 teaspoonful of fennel crushed seeds in hot water then strain and cool. Children of a certain age are able to chew some fennel seeds after the meal. It is an ancient stomach ache in children home remedies that has been in use over the ages among different cultures.
7. Adequate Hydration and Rest
To avoid dehydration and excrete toxins, make sure that your child consumes as many clear fluids as possible (water, water with apple juice, or electrolyte solution). Rest enables the body to devote itself to healing. Get your child to lie in a comfortable position, many times curling into a pile with the knees towards the chest takes off the pressure. This simple home remedy to stomach pain in children facilitates the normal healing of the body.
Conclusion
Stomach pain in kids is a typical childhood complaint that tends to get cured well by simple and non-harmful home remedies. Knowledge of the common causes of stomach pain in children such as gas, constipation, indigestion, and stress assists parents to make correct choices of remedies. Stomach pain in kids is usually painless and transient in nature. Home remedies for stomach pain in kids such as warm compresses, ginger tea, peppermint, gentle massage, and the BRAT diet are highly effective non-pharmacological methods that allow the body of a child with stomach pain to do its job of addressing the issue of pain. Integration of appropriate home remedies with preventive measures such as proper hydration, good eating habits and stress control measures can help minimize the intensity of stomach pain.