Stomach pain is really common in kids. It can happen because of gas being constipated, eating much of an infection or just a simple stomach upset. Sometimes stomach pain can be a warning sign of something more serious like appendicitis. Dr. Saurabh Garge, best urologist for kids in Indore, says that appendicitis in kids should never be ignored because getting it checked and treated on time can prevent problems.
Appendicitis happens when the appendix, a tube-like organ attached to the large intestine, gets swollen or infected. It can affect kids of all ages and the symptoms may not always look the same in every kid. This is why parents should watch how the pain is and how the kid is acting or waiting for the pain to go away on its own.
One of the important signs of appendicitis is stomach pain that starts around the belly button and slowly moves to the lower right side of the tummy. At first the kid may say they have pain or discomfort. After an hour the pain may get sharper, more constant and harder to ignore. If the kid is holding their tummy bending while walking or not wanting to move it can be a warning sign.
Pain that gets worse when the kid moves is another sign parents should notice. Kids with appendicitis may feel pain when they cough, jump, walk, climb stairs or even when their tummy is touched. A lot of kids prefer to lie because moving makes them feel worse. This kind of pain is different from a stomachache that may feel better after resting, passing gas or using the bathroom.
Not wanting to eat is also common in appendicitis. A kid who usually eats a lot may suddenly not want to eat their favorite food. This may be followed by feeling sick or throwing up. In some cases, stomach pain starts first and throwing up happens later. If throwing up comes with lower tummy pain parents should take it seriously.
The kid may also get a fever and it may be mild at first. As the infection gets worse the fever may go up. The kid may look tired, dull, uncomfortable or really quiet. Little kids may not be able to say where it hurts so parents should look for signs like crying a lot, being irritable, having a swollen tummy, not wanting to eat or having trouble standing up straight.
Parents should also be careful when a kid is not able to play, sleep or sit comfortably because of pain. Some kids may say the pain is over their tummy but their body language often shows what is wrong. If the kid keeps touching the part of their tummy or does not want to stand up straight it should not be ignored.
Appendicitis can sometimes look like other common stomach problems, such as:

This is why parents should avoid giving medicines or home remedies without asking a doctor. Medicine may reduce the symptoms for some time and make it harder to understand what is really wrong.
Parents should take their kid to the doctor if they notice:
It is always better to get the child checked early than to wait until the symptoms become serious.
Parents know their kid best. If their kid’s stomach pain feels weird, is getting worse or is not getting better like it should, they should not ignore it. Getting help early can make the treatment easier and safer. For help with appendicitis and other surgical problems in kids, parents can talk to Dr. Saurabh Garge, best pediatric surgeon in Indore.