Stomachaches: When your child needs a doctor.

Inevitably, every parent will hear the words “my belly hurts” from their child. Knowing when a stomachache is serious and when a sip of ginger ale will do the trick makes all the difference.

Cleveland Clinic pediatric gastroenterologist Praveen Selvakumar, MD, who treats patients at Hillcrest Hospital, offers tips for treating toddlers to teenagers, and when you should call or see a doctor.

• Stay hydrated. Drink eight glasses of water each day; maintaining proper hydration helps bowel function. Avoid sports drinks, soda pop and sweetened juices. Stomachaches are often caused by too much sugar, which can also cause obesity and long-term health problems.

Heartburn isn’t just for adults. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be hard to identify in young children, but vomiting, excessive burping, pain in the upper and lower abdomen, and complaints of a sour taste in the mouth can be strong indicators.

“Stomach flu” or viral gastroenteritis, frequently appears as a stomachache in children; it includes diarrhea with or without vomiting and potentially a low grade fever, so make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids. If your child’s symptoms last longer than five days and include a high fever, or you see signs of dehydration – such as pale skin, dry lips and decreased urine – it may indicate something more serious.

Constipation is a common cause of abdominal pain in kids. Drinking more water, increasing fiber intake, and stool softeners can help relieve symptoms. Prolonged constipation can be a sign of an underactive thyroid gland or celiac disease.

More than just a stomachache? Usually, stomachaches should not be too concerning. However, parents should be aware of how long they last and accompanying symptoms. Stomachaches that don’t go away can be caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lactose intolerance, celiac disease, parasites or food allergies. Call you doctor immediately or go to the Emergency Department for acute pain in the lower right abdomen, which is a symptom of appendicitis.

Don’t be afraid to trust your “gut” and seek medical attention if your child has a high fever or other severe or prolonged symptoms.

Praveen Selvakumar, MD