Indigestion, pronounced as "in-dih-JES-chun," is
another word for upset stomach. Dyspepsia is another term for it (say:
dis-PEP-shuh).
Causes Of Indigestion In Children
The leading cause of indigestion is stomach acid, which erodes
the digestive system's protective lining and irritates and fuels the upper
abdomen. The mucosa, the protective lining, becomes more sensitive even though
most youngsters do not have inflammation.
Identifying the underlying cause of dyspepsia in children
might be crucial in providing the appropriate intervention or therapy. Among
the frequent reasons are:
Obesity
Because obesity puts more strain on the belly, acid reflux
in the oesophagus can occur every time your child eats.
Hernia In Hiatus
When the stomach presses on the diaphragm, it can cause a
hiatus hernia, which blocks the oesophagus. This may result in acid reflux and
ineffective digestion.
Medications
Children who take certain drugs have a history of heartburn.
Steroids and NSAIDS, or painkillers, are two examples of common medications.
Gerd, Or Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease
The oesophagus becomes inflamed and irritated due to
youngsters experiencing indigestion regularly. Medical attention is required
for this condition.
Infection With Helicobacter Pylori
The only indication of this type of stomach infection is
consistent dyspepsia. In the unlikely event that your child consistently
experiences severe dyspepsia, you must seek medical attention to rule out
infections.6. Tension.
Unusual sleeping and eating patterns might be brought on by
stress and anxiety. This may cause your youngster to experience dyspepsia.
Insufficient Exercise
Children who receive insufficient physical activity may have
dyspepsia due to a slowed-down digestive system.
Hypersensitivity To Food
Unidentified food sensitivities may bring on indigestion
symptoms. For the sake of digestive health, allergies must be recognized and
treated.
Signs And Symptoms Of Indigestion In Kids
The first sign of indigestion is pain in the upper abdomen
immediately after eating. However, in some cases, there can indeed be a delay
before the symptoms surface. Indigestion is commonly accompanied by heartburn.
In cases of expereincing severe indigestion, your child may complain of
unbearable pain.
Some of the most common signs of indigestion are:
- Bloating
- Passing wind or flatulence.
- Abdominal pains
- Gurgling stomach
- Diarrhea
- Feeling of fullness
- Regular burping
- Acid reflux that can cause food or fluid to shoot
back up from the stomach to the mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Some Poor eating patterns
Treatment For Indigestion In Children
Even though children with indigestion seldom need medical attention, you might need to take your child to the doctor if the symptoms last more than a few hours. To examine the precise location of the pain, the doctor will perform a diagnosis by applying pressure to the stomach region. You will need to provide the doctor with all the information regarding your child's eating habits, symptoms, and medications that they are taking.
Depending on the diagnosis, doctors can suggest an additional test, such as an abdominal scan or X-ray, or prescribe a course of medication. The doctor may also request a urine and stool test if they think the patient has an infection. Rarely, an endoscopy may be necessary for your child to give the physician a closer look at the digestive system. Children with dyspepsia are initially treated with mild antacids.
If your child experiences occasional dyspepsia without any underlying reason, you will be requested to modify your child's diet and steer clear of specific foods. You should feed your child dinner two to three hours before bedtime if they frequently get dyspepsia at night. By treating the underlying cause of your child's dyspepsia and making sure they live in a stress-free environment, you can avoid the indigestion that results from stress and worry.
How Can I Prevent Indigestion?
If your child possesses a sensitive digestive system, you
must establish some dietary restrictions. Please keep your child away from
eating anything irregular that doesn't suit his stomach condition. You can
regularly follow the following mentioned tips to prevent the aspect of
indigestion in children.
- You must avoid food items that are considered too oily and
fatty.
- Limit the number of chocolates.
- Teach your child to eat slowly and properly chew his food.
- Please don't allow your child to try to pile on any
insignificant stress that could indeed affect his health.
- You should also teach him to allow time for his food to
digest properly after a meal. Don't let him initiate a physical activity
immediately after a meal. You can ask him to wait for a minimum an hour before
starting running or playing.
Home Remedies
Mild cases of indigestion that are common in children can be
alleviated with a good home remedy. Some of the best yet top home remedies for
indigestion in children are:
1. Pineapples
Pineapples are rich in strong acids and surely are known to
neutralise and effectively regulate the bowel system while making digestion
easy.
2. Lemon
A glass of lemon juice is considered one of the best home
remedies to cure indigestion. It is also safe and can also provide relief in
under 48 hours.
3. Coriander
Take the healthy juice out of two twigs of coriander leaves,
mix it quite well with warm milk, and make your kid drink it on an empty
stomach in the morning. This herb is indeed an effective and quick cure for
indigestion.
4. Mint leaves
Chewing on mint leaves is an excellent remedy for most
stomach-related issues. Mint leaves contain peppermint, which aids in the
contraction of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also an effective cure for
stomach infections and heartburn.
5. Ginger, Lemon, and Honey
Combining these three natural ingredients can calm an
irritated stomach and digestive system.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a beautiful remedy for most ailments,
and indigestion surely makes the list, too. You can add one spoonful of quality
apple cider vinegar and also some honey to a cup of water and make sure mix
well. Now offer this drink to your child to make him soothe the digestive
tract.
7. Cumin
Cumin can surely increase the secretion of enzymes from the
pancreas and aid digestion. You will also need to roast cumin and powder it.
Mix this powder quite well in a glass of water and give it to your child.
How do you take care of your child very well at home?
If your child is prone to indigestion or is suffering from
some indigestion, here are a few important steps you could follow to
efficiently take care of your child.
- Do not dress your child in tight clothing, especially around
the belly.
- You should avoid giving your child anti-inflammatory drugs
like Ibuprofen or without consulting a qualified doctor.
- Follow a good and healthy diet to avoid any indigestion. You
can also add a reasonable amount of some high-fibre foods and nutritional
fruits.
- Give your child plenty of water and also fluids every day.
- Create an effective environment that is stress-free to
prevent undue stress for your child.
When Should You Consult a Doctor
If your child is indeed showing the following signs, it is
advised that you take him to a pediatrician immediately:
- If your child has no active appetite for over a day.
- You can also notice weight loss.
- If your child has some difficulty swallowing food
- If you notice your child is also vomiting frequently
- If you witness blood in the child's stool or vomit
- If your child is sweating without reason
- If your child has anemia or some iron deficiency
- If your child has some history of stomach problems like
ulcers and infections
Conclusion
Indigestion is known to be a condition common in many children and adults as well. However, a professional care should be taken to track and also monitor the condition quite closely and can seek medical help if you very well suspect anything out of the ordinary.
