affect the head. Rather, it leads to nausea, stomach pains, and even vomiting. That said, abdominal migraines often occur in children who also suffer migraine headaches or have family members who suffer migraine headaches.
In fact, these abdominal pains even respond to the same type of triggers as migraine headaches, everything from stress to nutrition, lighting, sleepiness, and chemicals like caffeine and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Medicines like ibuprofen, triptans, and some anti-nausea drugs usually help right away.
If your child is having an episode that lasts more than 72 hours (three days) – even if mild – consult a doctor immediately. On average, Black children are less susceptible to migraines in general than other races.
3. Functional Dyspepsia
The medical term for indigestion, dyspepsia is something we all face from time to time. In many cases, it’s just a matter of what you ate or drank. However, if your child is constantly complaining of aches and pains while eating or after eating, it could be functional dyspepsia.
Functional dyspepsia is named as such because it doesn’t have any clear physical cause. In other words, there are no ulcers or structural issues with the digestive tract that explain the symptoms. This is why understanding the symptoms is important for a proper diagnosis.
Blood tests, imaging tests, and breath tests can all be used to determine if your child has the disorder. If diet changes and relaxation therapies don’t help, medications for stomach acid, low-dose antidepressants, and even herbs like peppermint can help.
4. Functional Constipation
Constipation can be difficult for children, especially when they don’t know what’s going on and are trying to force the issue without success. If your child has functional constipation, this may stem from holding it in at school, significant diet changes, or poor bathroom habits.
Is your child going #2 only twice per week? Is he or she having accidents frequently, despite being potty-trained? Are their stools very large or painful to pass? Are they increasingly tired or unable to eat? If these issues persist, let your child’s pediatrician know. They’ll be able to conduct the proper tests and offer possible medications as well as new routines for going #2 more regularly.
5. Functional Fecal Retention
Similar to functional constipation, functional fecal retention refers to the conscious holding in of, well, poop. While this condition typically affects smaller children, it’s been known to impact kids from infancy to 16 years of age. If your child is passing very large stools only a couple of times per week, this may be an issue.
Some kids will clench their muscles to avoid passing stools as well. Soiling, cramping, mood swings, and feelings of fullness all coincide with functional fecal retention. Like with the other conditions, a behavioral plan may be the best way to treat this issue.
Remember, even if no obvious physical problem exists, these digestive issues do stem from a disorder in normal routines, beliefs, and behaviors. From nervously swallowing too much air to suffering abdominal ‘migraines,’ each problem requires a personalized treatment. Talk to a doctor and find the commonsense approach that works best for your child.