So my 8 yr old son has had some tummy troubles lately. Today he is actually going to stay home from school because he is just having a bit of diarrhea. His stomach does feel a little upset, but I think it is more digestion discomfort, if that makes sense. Not like nauseousness, I really think it is more discomfort associated with the digestion process. I also don't know if maybe there is some bloated-ness and whatnot.
He complains of his tummy pretty often. I have been trying to get him to eat those probiotic yogurts regularly, but that gets old after awhile. And while he likes them, he doesn't eat one everyday, and I'm not sure it is giving him any relief yet or not.
I remember my stepfather had some issues like this, and I really don't think this is anything major, but obviously I'd like to find something to help settle his stomach.
I'm wondering if any other moms have had issues like this in their older children, and what they did. If there is a digestion/probiotic vitamin type thing he can take a little easier or something.
THANKS,
K.
My 5 yr old had similar issues. Finally I took him to the doctor because he was complaining so much. She said a lot of times kids get a post virus inflammation of the stomach lining that can cause pain and discomfort. She put him on Prevacid that he took for a few weeks and he has had few complaints since.
Stomach stuff should be taken seriously since it COULD be a new allergy he may have developed or there could be a polyp or something else. Try to - if you can- schedule an appt for a pediatric gastroenterologist- not a regular pediatrician.
If it has gone on a while- it should be checked.. It could be as simple as a milk protein allergy or something...
Also, of course- rule out that he isn't worried about something going on in his life- bullying, stress, friends- it manifests in the tummy first, most times.
My son started having tummy trouble last year at 6 and we just had a repeat this year at 7...
Turned out both times it was constipation issues. He was still having bowel movements and eating healthy...he still got backed up.
You might take him to his pediatrician and talk with him/her about some solutions. Ours was very helpful.
Good luck!!
Have him seen by a doctor.
My friend's son had similar symptoms. Even though diarrhea was an issue, he was actually constipated with a blockage that would not move. They fixed it, but it happened again, and again.
Dietary changes were made and he seems to be doing well so far. The kid was/is a picky eater, but he really, really needed more fruits and vegetables in his diet and less starches and sugar. It was a hard adjustment at first, but once he realized that he felt SO much better, he hopped on board.
When my sister was younger she had digestion issues and had to take a 20 min walk after meals to help the process and to get the gas out! Breakfast no big deal - she would walk around our house or backyard and sometimes found the stationary bike helpful - lunch mostly at school play right after and dinner she and mom took a walk around the block. She grew out of needing the walk but sounds like the "Queen Mary" docking in the mornings - we roomed together for a while as adults! I would reduce dairy - can sometimes cause blockage and add fiber to the diet and see if that helps!
Sometimes some intestinal issues crop up from nutrition - and kids who are picky eaters (even just a little) are often missing nutrients. And the AMA has said (10 years ago) that our food supply is deficient, even if we eat organically, so everyone needs a little help. I have friends with young kids who had a lot of problems, and found a product that works. It's delicious so you don't have to force them to drink it - they like it. Probiotics are great if you can get him to eat them, but they don't always do the whole job. Intestinal issues can show up as diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both on an alternating basis. There is help - let me know. If this doesn't work, you can get him checked out - obviously it could be something else, as others have suggested, but before you go through a whole lot of elimination diets (no dairy, no wheat, no this, no that), you can try ADDING what's needed to digest properly. Elimination diets are hardly ever necessary, and they are a real pain. I'm a nutritional consultant and have worked with a lot of people - happy to talk to you.
My son was having issues like that as well, I thought it might be nerves at one point with school and maybe things going on in our home that were upsetting him. Turned out to be a hernia. Go have him checked out.
This sounds very similar to my daughter when she was about the same age. I, and the doctors, couldn't figure out what was going on. I had to keep pushing them because I was getting the feeling they thot she was faking it or something. Broke my heart seeing her going thru all kinds of testing, BUT... turned out she had a hernia!!! Had surgery, missed a week of school and she's been fine ever since!
Have you told the doctor about this? Sounds like you'll have to be the detective and keep track of what he eats, etc. It may be as simple as a food allergy. But I would definitely have him checked by a doctor.
Good luck!!!
Get him checked out - might need an Xray. My daughter got all backed up even though she eats well, lots of fruit and fiber etc. I think she got messed up after a few rounds of antibiotics for ear infections. Anyway, now she is on Miralax (specific instructions from doc) for about 6mo and then we'll see if we can ween her off of it. It's worth getting him looked at - no need for him to suffer if it's something you can fix!
Urinary tract infections can cause upset stomachs...it's easy to test for...ask for it.
Katie:
He could have a food allergy.
He could have Chrons Disease.
He could have Lyme Disease (these are the symptoms he had and it took them 2 months and TONS of tests they didn't see the red, round rash and to top it off Lyme Disease can sit dormant and then pop up again).
Take him to a pediatric gastroenteritologist (spelling) and get it figured out. You are your son's advocate. Don't let a doctor blow you off.
GOOD LUCK!!
I would take him to the doc just to have him checked out and make sure there is nothing else going on. My son has had tummy troubles off and on for years, at one time he had a little blockage. He was put on miralax too, and his doctor told my that the costco brand is the same thing and you get double for the same price. Good luck hope his tummy feels better soon.
