“Mama, my stomach hurts.”
“I used to dread it whenever my kids said this to me,” says Mitch, mom to Alejandro, 7-years-old, and Emilia, 4-years-old. Emilia is a tough kid and would still be active and play even when she’s feeling a little queasy. Alejandro, on the other hand, is a moaner whenever he’s sick — especially when it’s his stomach that’s bothering him.
Mitch says it’s better now that her kids are older because they can tell her what’s wrong, where the pain is coming from, and whether her home remedies make them feel better. If she had her way, however, she’d wish away all the stomach pains and illnesses and have her children healthy and feeling well all the time.
“I’d rather that I get sick instead of them,” she says.
Michelle Palma and her children, Alejandro and Emilia Photo by Michelle Palma
Many mothers share the same sentiment. It’s hard to see your son or daughter get sick, especially when they’re in pain; and in most cases, it is when children have gastrointestinal (GI) issues, like diarrhea, constipation, stomach ache, and bloating, that they experience persisting stomach aches.
So what does Mitch do when her children get diarrhea? “Their pediatrician would always prescribe three things: zinc supplements, Hidrasec (an antisecretory medicine that reduces acid secretion in the tummy), and Erceflora probiotic.”
Let’s talk about an important matter: How do GI problems in children come about?
The Causes of Tummy Problems in Children
Viruses (e.g., rotavirus and norovirus) and bacteria (e.g., salmonella and e.coli) are the most common causes of GI problems. They enter the body through ingestion. In other words, GI problems can happen to a child who eats contaminated food or touches objects that have these germs, and failed to wash properly before eating.
“I remember David having diarrhea and constipation when he started eating food when he was 6 months old,” says Jean, mom to David, who’s 1-year-old. She became extra careful with her son’s eating and hygiene habits after that incident.
“I freaked out that time because I had no idea what was going on. All I knew was that (for diarrhea), he was pooping a lot that day. On top of that, he was also throwing up after drinking milk. And I also panicked when he didn’t poop for like two days.”
Symptoms and Outcomes of GI Problems
Vomiting and irregular bowel movements are the most common symptoms of these functional GI and motility problems in children:
- Functional constipation – Considered as a symptom rather than a disease, constipation makes pooping a difficult and often painful experience for your child. Medically speaking, constipation is when your child defecates less than three times per week. It’s also associated with having hard stool.
- Diarrhea – A brief condition (one to two days) wherein your child passes loose, watery stool three or more times a day.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – A bowel function disorder that results in recurring diarrhea and constipation.
- Bacterial gastroenteritis – A bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the GI lining that causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe stomach pain.
- Malabsorption – The decreased ability of the intestines to absorb carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamins and minerals.
- Lactose intolerance – The inability to process dairy products with lactose sugar. If your child is lactose intolerant, he or she may suffer acute stomach ache, bloating, and even diarrhea after drinking or eating lactose sugar.
- Fecal incontinence – Liquid stool leaks out when your child passes gas.
All of these make children feel uncomfortable, irritable, fatigued, and in pain. Dehydration is one of the more serious outcomes and something you should take care to avoid.
What Can Moms Do?
If your child shows signs of having GI problems, don’t panic. Assess the situation and see if you can pinpoint the cause and exact nature of your child’s stomach pain or discomfort.
“I tried to find out if she had eaten enough, or if she was hungry, or wanted to do #2,” recounts May, a mom of three, of her experience when her youngest daughter had constipation.
The next thing you need to do is see to their immediate need. “I let her drink warm water to help detoxify and help with bowel movement,” May shares.
Some GI problems like indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation can be simple and easily addressed by home remedies, but some would require medical consultation. Either way, make sure your child eats the right food and drinks plenty of water. Doing so prevents dehydration and aggravated constipation.
You may also try these home remedies:
- Apple cider and water sweetened with honey
- Boiled and strained ginger mixed with lemon and honey
- Fiber-rich fruits, like bananas, apples, and papaya
You might know of other home remedies, too. “The first and second time [our son had gastrointestinal problems,] we gave him ‘charcoal’ medication. It’s a natural alternative that we also use to treat our stomach pains,” says Cyrene, mom to a 7-year-old.
Consult Your Child’s Pediatrician
It never hurts to talk to your child’s pediatrician whenever your baby experiences GI problems. The doctor can also suggest other home remedies and tell you what to do if something similar happens in the future.
“Prevention is better than cure” is never a cliché when it comes to your children’s health; and when it comes to GI problems, your number one concern is preventing contact with germs.
Teach your kids to wash their hands regularly and use soap or sanitizer, especially when they’re in school. They need to do this after going to the bathroom and before every meal. Also, discourage them from buying food from roadside vendors.
Finally, monitor your child’s diet. Make sure your child drinks enough water every day and give him or her food and probiotic supplements that promote digestive health.
Probiotics: A Must for Treating GIT Problems
The stomach contains billions of bacteria, which aid in the digestion and absorption of nutrients. It’s when there are imbalances in bacterial concentrations or when your child ingests germs that GI problems occur.
To help stabilize the microorganisms in the digestive tract and fight the germs or “bad bacteria,” pediatricians recommend that children take probiotics. They prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, help replace good bacteria, and improve digestion and nutrient absorption.
In the spirit of prevention, consider giving your child a daily probiotic supplement to keep GI problems at bay.
Erceflora Probibears: A 2-in-1 Dietary Supplement for the Stomach and Immune System
Many moms are familiar with probiotics. It’s a commonly-prescribed medication for diarrhea, constipation, and other GI problems for children and adults. If you’re one of many who have had a good experience with this, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a NEW probiotic supplement for kids.
Erceflora Probibears is a yummy, chewable, daily supplement that contains these essential probiotics:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus – A probiotic with gastrointestinal benefits, this genus is clinically-proven as safe for consumption. It has a long history of human use, and numerous clinical trials have revealed its gastrointestinal benefits — many of which it shares with Lactis.
- Bifidobacterium Lactis – A strain of good bacteria that’s dominant in the GIT of healthy, breastfed infants, this probiotic is usually found in dairy products, mainly yogurt. It has many proven benefits for GIT, like preventing diarrhea and reducing the adverse effects of lactose intolerance. It also stabilizes the stomach and prevents acid reflux.
In a nutshell, both probiotics promote good digestive health. Furthermore, Bifidobacterium lactis boosts the immune system. It’s a combination that benefits children, especially the active ones who love to play and explore.
When it comes to your child’s health, prevention is always the better option. Take to heart the tips and information above, and you’ll do more than spare your child from tummy aches.
Find out more about Erceflora ProbiBears: The 2-in-1 Probiotic Protection for Kids Tummies at www.ProbiBears.com.
All content found in this advertorial were created for informational purposes only; and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Kindly seek the advice of your attending physician regarding questions you may have about a medical condition. Please do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of information you obtained on this advertorial.
ASC Code: S063P082818E | Zinc Code: SAPH.LABL.18.06.0184j / Version No. 2.6 / 11092018
What's Your Reaction?
A lover of stories, parks, animals, rainy days, and hot chocolate, she believes that the best remedies for bad days are three servings of french fries and one whole rainbow cake.