A Sick Feeling in the Pit of Your Stomach

No matter what holiday you celebrate this season, there are probably lots of goodies around to nibble on. Sometimes, these rich treats can spell tummy trouble.

“You can certainly get a stomachache from eating too many hard-to-digest foods,” says Dr. Yvonne Tsai, a pediatrician at UCLA.

But Tsai points out that eating the wrong foods is only one cause of stomachaches, which are one of the most common kid ailments. Although the reasons kids get them are different, all stomachaches have one thing in common. They’re no fun. An achy stomach and the symptoms that usually go with it, such as nausea, can be hard to handle.

Sometimes, a stomachache is the first sign of a flu or viral infection. As the illness progresses, you may experience vomiting, diarrhea, body aches or fever. It’s important to tell your parents about these symptoms. Usually, a stomach virus will get better in a few days. If your symptoms are severe, a doctor needs to examine you.

Another cause of stomachaches is stress. The stomach may produce more acid when you are nervous or upset, doctors say. The acid can irritate your stomach, making it feel uncomfortable. Often, when you are nervous, you don’t want to eat. But having an empty stomach actually can make you feel worse.

If you are nervous about an exam or another event, Tsai suggests eating a simple, easy-to-digest meal. Avoid spicy or greasy foods, which could upset your stomach more. Bland foods such as toast, bananas, jello, applesauce and rice are good choices when you’re feeling queasy.

Some people seem to be able to eat everything and anything without stomach problems; others are more sensitive. Over time, many kids and adults discover that certain foods do not agree with them. Tsai explains that we all have our own degree of tolerance to food. Your best friend may be able to eat a whole pizza, but you’re stuffed after two pieces.

One thing kids never should do is help themselves to over-the-counter stomach medications. These drugs are for adults only, unless a doctor instructs your parents to give them to you.

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Kids and other readers can reach Emily Dwass at emilydwass@yahoo.com.

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