Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons to go for medical treatment. It is also known as “tummy ache” that can challenges us and the physician. In most of the cases, it is due to comparatively harmless causes, which can be treated without getting admitted to the hospital. Rarely the situation is an emergency and immediate hospitalization is required. It might be upper abdominal pain, lower abdominal pain, lower left abdominal pain consulting a doctor depends on the severity.

Recurrent Abdominal Pain or RAP is like Rap music! Very difficult to understand! You and your doctor may indulge in endless investigations without coming to any diagnosis. However, a basic stool and urine routine and microscopic examination along with Ultrasonography (USG) of abdomen should always be carried out in all children having RAP.

Common causes of stomach ache are:

1. Indigestion – also known as ‘tummy upset’, it is caused by unhealthy food habits like overeating, drinking too preservative drinks or eating junk food. Drinking lukewarm water, keeping hot water bottle over the stomach or taking antacids may help to cope up from pain.

2. Constipation – This may cause stomach ache, nausea and vomiting. The stools are hard, dry and also painful. A fibre rich diet and gentle laxatives helps to relieve the condition.

3. Gastroenteritis – It may be caused due to a viral or bacterial infection. The most apparent symptom is diarrhea, accompanied by vomiting and fever. A stool examination can identify the cause. Infact roundworms can also cause stomachache especially to children living poor sanitation and contaminated water supply. A course of anti-worm medications usually cures the infection.

4. Chronic recurrent abdominal pain – this type of pain is seen in late childhood and more often in girls than in boys. Typically, there is a history of three or more incident of severe abdominal pain over a period of 3-4 months. This pain is usually psychological in origin, caused by worry, anxiety or as an attention seeking behavior.

5. Food allergies – abdominal pain is due to allergy to certain food constituents such as lactose in milk and many more like that. Some time certain drugs also cause stomach pains in response to allergies, medicines given for epilepsy or malaria and some antibiotics may cause pain in children