stomach pain in left side Archives

Kids often complain of stomach pain, but it is difficult for parents to trace out the causes for stomach pain in kids. There can be many reasons behind stomach pain in kids. It can range from mild discomfort to severe cramping, burning, nausea, fever and vomiting in some cases. Most of the time it is not caused by a serious medical problem but sometimes abdominal pain can be a sign of something serious. Some common Causes for stomach pain such as eating too much, needing to go to the washroom, or anxiety or worry about an upcoming event.

However, if your child complains of stomach pain frequently, it can be difficult to know the best ways to help and when to call the doctor. It is important to figure out the type of pain a child is complaining of. Whether it is pain covering more than half of the belly due to gastric problems in kids or it is a cramp like pain due to bloating or a colicky pain which comes in a wave. Stomach pain in the left side or stomach pain in the right side is common in kids.

Eight causes for stomach pain in kids:

Gas:

Gastric pain or indigestion is common in kids of all ages. It is commonly used to describe pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Some main causes of gastric problems among kids are, gulping down meals at a rapid speed, intake of aerated drinks (soda), fried junk, consumption of high levels of insoluble fiber (part of food that doesn’t get digested but reaches the gut to become food for the good bacteria living there), imbalance of good bacteria in the gut which support digestion.

Constipation:

Constipation is one of the causes for stomach pain in kids. By holding in their stool to avoid or delay in bowel movement can cause constipation . When stool stays in the large intestine for too long, it absorbs fluids from the stool and causes constipation. Encouraging your child to make simple dietary changes such as eating more fiber rich fruits and vegetables and drinking more water can help in constipation. This is the most prominent cause in today’s time. Children prefer food that is easy to gulp or belongs to the junk-food category. Excess sugar consumption in food also causes constipation.

Food poisoning:

Eating food or drinks which are contaminated by germs or toxins can cause food poisoning. These harmful organisms produce toxins that irritate the lining of a kid’s stomach and intestines. This can result in stomach pain in kids.

Overeating:

Too much of anything is bad. Overeating of any food, healthy or junk both can be the causes for stomach pain. Kids often eat too much when it comes to their favorite foods like pizza, fries, soda, burger etc. In addition to that, eating too quickly which is also very common in kids can contribute to stomach discomforts.

Lactose Intolerant:

Lactose intolerant is an inability to break down a type of natural sugar called lactose. It is commonly found in dairy products such as milk and yogurt. A kid can become lactose intolerant when the small intestine stops making enough of the enzymes to digest the lactose. This can cause cramps, abdominal pain, gas and sometimes diarrhea. This is quite common in kids nowadays. Some kids who don’t have this concern initially, can also develop with time as they grow.

Stress:

When a child is stressed, the adrenal glands make and release the hormones cortisol into the bloodstream. This causes the fight –or –flight response, and also triggers abdominal discomfort, stomach cramps, constipation, diarrhea and nausea.

Appendicitis:

Recognizing appendicitis in your little one is tough as a child can’t always speak in full or describe their symptoms. A blockage in the lining of the appendix that results in infection is a possible cause of appendicitis. The blockage may be caused by mucus or stool or parasites or by a bend or twist in the appendix itself. It is mostly becoming common in children between the ages of 9-15. Food can also be a reason for this. Fried fatty foods can irritate the digestive system which can lead to appendicitis.

Stomach pain and digestive issues in kids can be due to lack of fiber or probiotic (good bacteria) in the diet.

Food for a healthy stomach:

Banana:

Bananas are easy to digest and are known to ease stomach pain. It is loaded with calcium, magnesium, iron, folate, vitamin B6, manganese. Banana is also contains potassium which helps in case of dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea. It has natural sugar (fructose) so kids will be able to get calories even if he/she is not eating much. (Which part of banana is most useful for stomach troubles and digestion?)

Yogurt:

Yogurt can be good for a kid’s stomach health. It is rich in probiotics (good bacteria) that helps to maintain gut health. Having a little yogurt during an upset stomach may help relieve diarrhea too. Presence of protein, calcium, Vitamin B2, vitamin B12, potassium and magnesium in it helps to boost up the immune system and promote a healthy digestive tract. (Recipe to make a full meal with yogurt)

Asafoetida (Heeng):

The secret of this ingredient is being shared for ages. Heeng is added to food preparations which are generally tough to digest like beans and whole pulses. It helps to boost digestion by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes. As per a study, its antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties are used to treat stomach disorders and cure gastric problems in kids, bloating, acidity, constipation and improve stomach health.

Coconut water:

Coconut water is rich in nutrients and electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C which makes it an excellent choice for keeping kids hydrated after sickness and improves digestion at the same time. (Ice cream recipe using coconut)

Apple:

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ Kids favorite apple has 3.6grams of fiber. Apple contains pectin, a type of fiber that feeds the good bacteria in the gut. Apples are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and dietary fiber, which helps to keep your kid’s digestive tract moving, also prevents or even treats constipation. (What is the best way to eat apple?)

Peppermint:

This green herb is well known for its refreshing flavor and ability to soothe an upset stomach. It has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal properties which positively impact the gastrointestinal tract. Peppermint oil is used to improve irritable bowel syndrome (an inflammatory condition that impacts the large intestine) stomach pain, bloating and gastric problems in kids.

Ginger:

Ginger contains chemicals that have been found to relax and smooth muscles, especially those which are in the intestinal tract. Consuming ginger helps food to move more quickly and more easily in the digestive tract, helping to relieve stomach cramps. (How to use ginger to detox?)

Recipe for Mungbean Sprout Millet Pizza cups with hidden nuts and herbs

Let’s make every dish tasty and nutritious by ‘hidden’ nutrition of herbs and nuts.

Check the Recipe made with Iyurved’s secret health ingredient- DAILY NUTRITION spread.

Check more healthy recipes loved by kids.

PRODUCTS:

We are happy to introduce our range of nutritious & tasty Ayurvedic foods for kids!!
We know that preparing and feeding healthy foods everyday is a huge task. Even more tough when kids are picky eaters. Kids prefer certain foods and formats. It is not easy to feed kids bitter Ayurvedic herbs, variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds everyday.
Mixed with Ayurvedic herbs, this unique Ayurvedic spread is an easy solution to feed daily nutrition for Immunity, Brain development, Bone strength and overall-growth to kids without any fuss.

India’s First Tasty Kids Nutrition fortified with Ayurvedic herbs.

Check more products for: Immunity, Gut health, Digestion, Healthy weight, Brain development, Eye health, Autism, Hyperactivity, Sleep, Bones and Overall growth

(shipping in India and Singapore only)