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Stomach pain or diarrhea after chowing down on junk food at a sleepover isn't abnormal — but what if your teen still complains of stomach issues weeks later? Read on to discover signs of gastrointestinal problems in teens and what to do next.
Your teenager is probably constantly on the go, grabbing whatever they can to eat before practice or heading out to a friend’s house. Although they’re eating a lot, they may need to make the healthiest choices.
When your teen complains of stomach pain or gastrointestinal upset, it could be from various issues ranging from a little bit of gas to a severe medical problem. Knowing the signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal upset is the key to determining when to seek help.
At Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, Dr. Ilyas Memom is an expert gastroenterologist who offers fast and efficient diagnosis of stomach and bowel problems.
Dr. Memom knows the common causes of teen abdominal pain, which helps him quickly determine the cause for personalized treatment options.
Causes of stomach pain in teens
Teens rarely complain about things unless something is bothering them — which is why you should take them complaining about their stomachs seriously. Although it may not be anything to worry about, various issues affect the gastrointestinal system of teens, which include:
- Constipation
- Overeating
- Gas
- Stomach virus
- Stress
- Lactose intolerance
- Appendicitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Acid reflux
Sometimes, stomach pain or gastrointestinal symptoms aren’t severe and, in most cases, straighten out independently. However, if your teen continues to complain after trying home care measures or has associated symptoms, it’s a good idea to seek treatment from a doctor.
Signs and symptoms to worry about
Sometimes, symptoms related to your teen’s stomach pain aren’t severe and clear up independently. However, you must ask your teen about all of their symptoms and seek help if they have any of the following:
- Fever
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Constant pain
- Pain in the lower right quadrant
- Pain after an injury
- Blood in the stool
- Unintentional weight loss
Pain that worsens in the right lower quadrant is a sign of appendicitis, especially when fever and vomiting accompany it. Appendicitis is a severe medical problem where inflammation affects the appendix, requiring surgery to remove the organ.
Appendicitis that continues without treatment could lead to the organ rupturing, causing internal bleeding and a severe blood infection.
If you’re at all concerned about your teen’s abdominal pain or associated symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for an appointment. Dr. Memon evaluates their symptoms to determine if further testing or treatment is warranted.
What treatments are available?
Dr. Memon thoroughly evaluates your teen to determine the cause of their discomfort and what treatments are best for their needs. During the appointment, Dr. Memon asks your teen about their symptoms and palpates the abdomen to come to a diagnosis.
The treatment Dr. Memon suggests coincides with your teen’s discomfort. He may offer home therapies that can help your child, along with specific medications for the cause of your child’s discomfort.
Sometimes, all your teen needs is a few home care techniques to deal with gas, diarrhea, or constipation, including food modifications. Dr. Memon may have them keep a food diary to determine what foods are causing stomach upset.
Other symptoms may require further testing and diagnostic studies to conclude the cause of their GI issues. If your teen has a more severe problem such as appendicitis, stomach ulcers, or Crohn’s disease, they may need more aggressive treatment and, in some cases, surgery.
The most crucial aspect of teens’ gastrointestinal issues is their actions and symptoms. It’s vital to seek treatment if their symptoms persist despite home care.
Call Texas Digestive Disease Consultants in The Woodlands, Magnolia, and Willis, Texas, today to schedule an appointment for abdominal pain or request a consultation on the website.