The stomach problems in children they are quite common. According to the data that the SEPEAP (acronym for Spanish Society of Outpatient Pediatrics and Primary Care) it is estimated that about 1 in 4 of those under the age of 16 suffer at some point from some type of digestive disorder, and this can have different causes.
In the following lines we are going to study some of the most common causes that produce these problems.
Constipation
El constipation It is common in young children and is most often related to stages of adaptation, such as removing the diaper or joining the school. All of these habits affect your routine and behavior, which can lead to constipation.
The child's own way of acting affects this problem: for example, he may feel embarrassed to go to the bathroom if he is away from home.
But… What exactly is considered constipation? We can stipulate that it is when it is done fewer than 3 bowel movements a week or if the child has any type of pain due to the presence of hard stools.
In the event of any alarm symptoms, it is advisable to act as soon as possible. Failure to do so could result in injury or other serious problems.
Viral gastroenteritis
La gastroenteritis in children It is an infection that occurs in the intestines and can cause pain in the abdomen, vomiting, nausea, liquid diarrhea and even fever.
The main cause of this infection is a virus, and it's not just a virus that can cause it. The norovirus It is usually the most common cause of gastroenteritis.
The worst of all is that these beings have the ability to spread easily between people, hence why gastroenteritis is so contagious.
Most cases of viral gastroenteritis last for only 1 week and usually get better on their own without the need for treatment by a doctor. However, attention should be paid to severe symptoms (for example, the child could become dehydrated if not monitored).
Viral gastroenteritis causes symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, which means that the body will lose fluids. It is important to replace them or the affected person may become dehydrated. This problem is especially serious in children, as it could lead to organ damage.
Children, infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are most likely to develop the disease.
Helicobacter pylori infection
The bacteria Helicobacter Pylori resides in the stomach, produces very common symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, loss of appetite, swelling, involuntary weight loss, frequent belching, among others.
The truth is that most infected people will never show symptoms or signs and the reason is not very well known; There is a belief that some individuals are born with a greater resistance to the effects of the bacteria.
could also present stomach ulcers, a symptom that can affect more than half of the world's population. The way to treat these infections is by Antibiotics.
chronic abdominal pain
El chronic abdominal pain It is part of a group of pathologies that can be triggered by a series of factors. It is not always given to bullying the importance it deserves; among other things, this could be the cause that explains this type of pain.
This diagnosis will be confirmed when there are no other signs that may lead to suspect that it is another disease, such as abdominal migraine, functional dyspepsia, or irritable bowel syndrome.
After an inspection by the pediatrician, the professional will not be able to find an explanation for the pain that can fit within the diseases already indicated.
Celiac Disease
Una Celiac Disease It is a disorder that has an autoimmune origin in which damage occurs in the mucosa of the intestines if it is consumed gluten. The problem is that this component is in most of the foods available on the market, such as barley, wheat, rye and their derivatives.
The most serious of all is that many affected people still do not have a diagnosis because the symptoms that are seen are not always evident. we could be talking about bloating, stools altered, diarrhea, among others. The big problem with this disease is that the body does not absorb the nutrients it needs, so it could lead to a weight stagnation or to suffer important shortcomings.
If a child has celiac disease, they will have to change their lifestyle to avoid any type of intoxication.
These are some of the most common diseases that cause stomach problems in children.