Chronic Abdominal Pain in Children: Care Instructions

Overview

Chronic abdominal pain is belly pain that occurs a few times over a couple of months. Sometimes the pain is linked to foods your child eats. But most of the time the pain cannot be explained.

Sometimes the pain is so bad that your child cannot do their normal activities. Stress, anger, or excitement can make the pain worse. Your doctor may use the words "functional abdominal pain" to describe the problem.

It can be hard when your child is in pain and the doctor can find no cause, even when tests are done. Even if you cannot make the pain go away, there are some things you can do to help your child manage it.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Keep your child doing normal activities as much as possible.
• Be sure your child has regular meals and snack times.
• Be sure your child has a regular bedtime so they get enough sleep.
• Keep a symptom diary. This can help you see if there are events or emotions that make your child's pain worse. Write down what your child ate, drank, or felt before the pain began.
• Help your child reduce stress. Breathing exercises and relaxation techniques can help.
• Try cognitive behavioral therapy. You and your child can work with a counselor to learn how to do this therapy. It can help your child cope with pain by changing the way they think. How your child thinks can affect their feelings.