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Stress& Your Child’s GUT
by Dr. Rebecca Butler (Lantana Resident), Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics
You may be familiar with “butterflies” in your stomach and “gut feelings.” It is true that our gut and brain are closely connected and sometimes this connection can be uncomfortable. Stress can cause significant gastrointestinal (GI) issues, especially in children who may not have the coping skills. The neurotransmitters that control our mood are the same ones that control pain and digestion. Most of the body’s serotonin is made in the gut.
It can be common for a child to complain that their stomach hurts or have GI issues before a big event, like the first day of school or an important test. While most stomach aches are not dangerous, they can still affect your child’s day and make you as a parent worry. It is important to recognize how stress and anxiety may affect your child and find ways to help your child feel better.
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A STOMACH ACHE IS CAUSED BY STRESS?
Parents can look for signs of increasing stress which can help with determining whether stomach complaints are related to stress or other physical conditions.
Changes in sleep and/or appetite, a regression in developmental skills in young children, or declining school performance in school aged kids could be indicators your child is experiencing stress.
WHAT
ARE COMMON TRIGGERS OF TUMMY ISSUES IN CHILDREN?
It takes a lot of stress for most adults to get GI symptoms. For
kids, minor mood changes can cause problems in the gut. It is important to understand that triggers don’t necessarily have to be negative. Your belly doesn’t differentiate between good and bad stress.
Physicians often see an increase in functional GI disorders at certain times of the year, including the start of school, testing and finals week, and even with the excitement of a holiday season.
WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD SEE A DOCTOR FOR STOMACH PAIN?
If your child is experiencing new GI symptoms that a doctor has not evaluated, it is better to see a physician to ensure there are no underlying physical causes. It’s also important to see a doctor if the pain is persistent or disruptive to your child’s ability to function or if your child is not responding to remedies that have previously worked for them.
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