While many parents will want to relieve their child’s stomach discomfort quickly — often searching for how to get rid of a stomach ache in 5 minutes — rapid results are not always available. However, you can try a herbal full body detox that can offer relief within 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the cause of the stomach pain. Primarily, to help your kiddos, you will want to understand the causes of stomachaches to find the best treatment option.
What Causes Stomach Pain?
Stomachaches can result from numerous issues in your child’s system, most of which are not serious and will settle or resolve on their own. The pain can vary from mild discomfort to extreme sensitivity, cramping, and nausea. There are approximately six causes of stomach pain in children:
1. Overeating
A frequent cause of stomach pain is overeating, and children tend to do it frequently. Eating too quickly means they do not give their bodies time to tell them they’re full, leading to stomachaches.
2. Gas and Constipation
Indigestion is common in kiddos, and diet typically plays the largest role. If your child drinks carbonated beverages, especially through a straw, or eats a lot of spicy foods, beans, caffeine, or citrus, their stomach discomfort might be a result of gas.
Constipation can occur in children, and they might not understand what it is. If your child experiences stomach pain in the lower abdomen, particularly the left side, constipation is likely.
3. Lactose Intolerance or Milk Allergy
Many people have problems with milk and dairy products. Lactose is the sugar in milk and not everyone has the enzyme lactase to digest it, resulting in cramps and indigestion. Some people also have a milk allergy that can cause significant cramping and discomfort.
4. Stress
Not all stomach pains are physiological, some are psychological, resulting from stress. If your child experiences frequent stomach pain with no obvious correlation to diet, ask them if they are worried about something.
5. Viral or Bacterial Infection
Sometimes a stomachache is a sign of something more. Children are prone to viral infections, especially when attending school. A virus usually shows as a persistent stomachache followed by vomiting and diarrhea.
6. Appendicitis
Persistent and severe pain in the lower, right side of the abdomen is an indicator of appendicitis. While unusual in children under five, it is important to take your child to the doctor.
Home Treatment for Tummy Aches
When discussing stomachache treatments, you might come across the term silicon dioxide. “What’s silicon dioxide?” you ask, it is a naturally occurring compound that is used in certain digestive cleanse products, like Polisorb, and it can relieve indigestion quickly. If you do not have access to such remedies, you can try the following five approaches to stomach relief:
- Place a warm compress or heating pad on the stomach
- Massage the belly gently to help relieve gas or indigestion
- Maintain adequate hydration with small sips of water
- Lie down and rest
- Use an OTC medicine (Check with your doctor first)
While seeing your kiddo in pain is unsettling, try to let the symptoms pass on their own. Stomachaches are normal and can occur occasionally, talk to a doctor or digestion professional if problems persist.
