Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/872903
CONSIDER INTENSITY "If your child has pain that seems mild, lasting fewer than 60 minutes a day— especially if the child is barely interrupting his activities or returning to them fairly quickly —less serious causes are more likely," Dr. McFarlane-Ferreira says. "Irregular bowel movements and constipation, which may be affected by dietary changes, are often the source of minor abdominal pain." However, children who experience sharp, sudden stomach pains, may need immediate medical attention. Specifically, sharp pain in the lower right abdomen can signal appendicitis—inflammation of the appendix. The appendix, a thin, tube-shaped organ that measures about three-and-a-half inches long, is attached to the large intestine. If an inflamed appendix is not treated, it could burst and cause infection in the abdomen. This condition is serious, and if not treated, it can be fatal. Appendicitis is most common in children over age ten, but it can affect younger children, too. The most common appendicitis symptoms include pain that begins around the navel and travels to the lower right abdomen, nausea and vomiting that starts after stomach pain begins, and loss of appetite. Abdominal swelling and a low-grade fever may also be experienced. "Many children do not have all the symptoms or don't really know how to describe them, and in those cases, appendicitis is more challenging to detect," Dr. McFarlane- Ferreira says. "Any child who complains of 'bad pain' in the lower right abdomen or any child with severe pain who appears unwell to the parent should be taken to an emergency department or to see a doctor right away." Gaining more specific information about the child's pain can help pediatricians recommend the best treatment. Ask yourself or the child these questions: When did the pain start? What was happening when it began? How uncomfortable is the pain? Where is the pain? Is it around the belly button, off to the side or lower to the right? When was the child's last bowel movement and what did it look like? Are there any injuries to the stomach area? Has the child fallen recently? Have there been any recent changes in the child's diet? "When you're not sure about the source of your child's stomach pain, keep him hydrated, avoid foods like dairy products, caffeinated drinks or medications like aspirin that might upset the stomach more, and watch your child closely," says Dr. McFarlane-Ferreira. "When in doubt, call the doctor." P H Y S I C I A N RE F E R R A L / / 718 . 49 9. C A RE 21