Advertisement
question

What questions will the doctor ask about my child's stomach pain?

Dr. Tanya R. Altmann, MD
Dr. Tanya R. Altmann, MD
Pediatrics
answer
There are several questions that your pediatrician may ask, so it can be quite helpful to gather the information ahead of time to help figure out what’s causing the pain.
• How long has the pain been present? Has it been days, weeks, or months?
• How bad is the pain? Does your child cry?
• Where is the pain? Around the belly button, or lower right belly?
• How long does the pain last? Does anything seem to make it better or worse?
• Any fever, vomiting, or diarrhea?
• Does the pain wake her up at night or interfere with activity?
• Does it happen only on preschool days, or a particular time of day?
• How is her appetite?
• Is it related to any specific food or drink such as milk products? Or is it better or worse after she eats?
• Is she potty trained? Does the pain occur only when she needs to poop?
• Does she poop every day? Is the stool hard or soft? Is it big or small? Is there any blood in the stool?
• Any recent social or family stress or change in environment?
• Any family history of stomach or intestinal diseases or issues?
• Any recent travel or exposure to pets?
Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents' Top 101 Questions About Babies and Toddlers

More About this Book

Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents' Top 101 Questions About Babies and Toddlers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------The must-have resource for parents of children up to age three! Small enough to fit in a diaper bag, but big on...

Continue Learning about Pain

What to Give a Child for Pain
What to Give a Child for Pain
To many of us who grew up taking it, codeine is a familiar drug. But it’s vital to be aware that things have changed. Opioids—including codeine, trama...
Read More
Getting Flexible for Drug-Free Pain Relief
Getting Flexible for Drug-Free Pain Relief
Just how important is stretching? "Super important," says Wendy Batts, MS, a regional master instructor for the National Academy of Sports Medicine. ...
Read More
7 Best Moves to Fight Pain
7 Best Moves to Fight Pain7 Best Moves to Fight Pain7 Best Moves to Fight Pain7 Best Moves to Fight Pain
Learn how your body mechanics can fight pain. Hard to imagine, but the way we sit, stand, sleep, and even text can either aggravate—or improve—our pa...
Start Slideshow
Best Foods for Pain Relief
Best Foods for Pain ReliefBest Foods for Pain ReliefBest Foods for Pain ReliefBest Foods for Pain Relief
Check out eight foods to include in your chronic-pain-management strategy. No single food can completely stop chronic pain, but a healthful diet is a ...
Start Slideshow

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.