Diseases of the digestive tract in children. Percussion of the child's abdomen

Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract - what is it? Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a syndrome characterized by a violation of the movement of intestinal contents due to a mechanical obstruction or functional dysmotility.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract)

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are becoming more and more common. The active way of life of a modern person often does not leave time for the calm consumption of wholesome food. Fast food snacking has reached the level of a significant problem.

Stress and ecology, regular use of antibiotics with subsequent dysbacteriosis complete what was started by malnutrition, and as a result, a person begins to get sick: the organs cannot withstand the harsh attack of adverse factors.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract significantly rejuvenated. Gastritis has become a mass phenomenon even in primary and secondary school, a significant part of children of different ages suffer from dysbacteriosis. As a result, such serious diseases of the digestive tract as colitis of various origins develop, problems with the pancreas begin, which leads to a predisposition to diabetes mellitus.

That is why diseases of the gastrointestinal tract should be detected and treated in time before they begin to take a chronic form.

Symptoms and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Knowing the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases, and you can think about treatment. The symptoms are quite rich, paying attention to its features, you can not only confidently consult doctors, but also take care of more proper nutrition, regimen and other therapeutic and preventive measures.

Symptoms of housing diseases include:

The “top” of the abdomen is occupied by the epigastric region and hypochondria (right and left, respectively). This is a kind of arc, the pain on which is characteristic of colitis, an inflammatory process in the lower esophagus, fundic gastritis, stomach expansion and the initial stage of food poisoning.

If vomiting also joins this symptom, then it is appropriate to assume that this is an ulcer, but it is difficult to determine in the stomach or in the duodenum. In addition, it is also characteristic of intestinal obstruction.

In the right hypochondrium is the liver and, located under it, the gallbladder. Severe pain and colic usually come from them. A similar feeling on the left is inherent in gastritis (especially in tandem with nausea and its consequences), acute pancreatitis and other digestive diseases.

The middle of the abdomen is reserved for mesogastrium. In the umbilical region, the concentration of pain is associated with
intestinal dysfunctions. This may be inflammation of the small intestine, enteritis, Crohn's disease, etc.

At the same level, only on the right, pain is assigned to hepatitis, and on the left - to ulcerative colitis, inflammation of polyps and problems with the colon.

Hypogastrium, he is the lowest "level" of the abdomen. Pain in his area rarely indicates diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. More often it comes from the bladder or genitals. But on the right is appendicitis, it can make itself felt in this place, as well as intestinal infections with diseases of the caecum. The left iliac space contains the sigmoid colon, which can become inflamed and painful. It is also appropriate to assume dysentery.

Symptoms of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract help to make the correct diagnosis.
During the initial examination, palpation and listening to the patient, percussion (tapping) are performed.
The history of the disease itself is not enough. Having established, according to the patient, the symptoms of housing and communal services, treatment does not begin without various types of laboratory and instrumental studies (probing, pH-metry, gastrography and manometry). At the same time, it is important not only to determine the disease, but also its root cause, since only its elimination can completely restore the health of the patient.
Radiation diagnostics - ultrasound, X-ray, scintigraphy, is used by a doctor to clarify the diagnosis.

The treatment itself, depending on the result, can be conservative or surgical. With the conservative treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, drug treatment is provided, the appointment of various diets, physiotherapy exercises, homeopathic methods can be used.

Sometimes the disease requires surgery. In such cases, the patient is prepared for surgery by restricting food and drink, and if necessary, enemas are given. After an operable intervention, a recovery course is carried out, the main methods of which are the use of antiseptics and antibiotics and strict adherence to prescribed diets.

Features of the treatment of certain diseases of the housing and communal services

Separately, chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, their symptoms and treatment are singled out, since such diseases are neglected and require a long-term serious approach from the doctor and the patient himself.

Common among patients are:

Chronic colitis and enterocolitis.
Chronic cholecystitis.
Chronic pancreatitis.
Chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer.

Infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract require the attention of a gastroenterologist, an infectious disease specialist. In addition, they very often proceed similarly to other, non-infectious diseases.

Common triggers are:

Bacteria:

Typhoid fever.
Salmonella.
Cholera.
Bacterial toxin - botulism.
Staphylococcus.

Viruses:

Rotavirus.
Enterovirus.

The treatment of such diseases is not only the task of destroying the infection, but also the elimination of dehydration of the body, and later a long work to restore the natural microflora.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children are characterized by an acute course and severe tolerability. They are usually accompanied by severe weakness, rapid dehydration, high fever, and extreme nervousness.

Often the disease is accompanied by blurred symptoms. According to statistics, the incidence is characterized by bursts of two age peaks, which depend on age and occur at 5-6 years old, 10-11 years old, and are explained by the physiological and social distinctive features of age.

Can hurt:

Diet for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Diet in diseases of the housing and communal services is almost crucial during the recovery period and important during treatment.

Its violations can provoke a relapse of the violation.

No. 1. Diet for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with exacerbation of peptic ulcer, chronic gastritis and recovery from acute gastritis. Allows you to normalize the activity of the stomach, its peristalsis, protecting the mucous membranes and providing normal nutrition for the body.
The food includes yesterday's bread (white), soups with heavily boiled cereals seasoned with butter or a mixture of milk and eggs. Meat, fish must be obtained in a ground form - steam cutlets, meatballs are suitable, it is possible to bake with vegetables. Boil or bake vegetables, use non-acidic dairy products fat-free. Drink lightly brewed tea, juices, cocoa, rose hips.
No. 1a) for the same diseases is indicated for the first four days of treatment. A sparing diet for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract allows you to quickly heal ulcers, resist inflammatory processes, and is indicated if you have to comply with bed rest. All food is consumed grated, liquid or gruel, pre-boiled or steamed. There are temperature restrictions: + 60-15 degrees. Feeding process according to the crushed principle, the last feed is warm milk. Fermented milk products, vegetables are excluded, but cereals, eggs and meat without fat are suitable. Berries as part of decoctions, juices, jelly or jellies.
No. 2b) with the subsidence of the course of peptic ulcer and chronic gastritis with high acidity. Less strict than #1a), it allows non-acid grated cottage cheese, white breadcrumbs, thinly sliced, grated vegetables.
No. 2 is indicated for chronic colitis, enterocolitis and gastritis with high acidity. In addition, with concomitant diseases of the pancreas, biliary tract and liver. Temperature-limiting products are excluded; fried products are suitable if a hard crust has not formed after such processing. Yesterday's bread, inedible pastries, meat and fish are not fatty, vegetables and fruits are ripe even at the end of the heat treatment.
No. 3 is designed to improve bowel activity in its chronic problems. Food is fractional, 5-6 times daily. In the morning on an empty stomach 1 tbsp. l. honey with a glass of water. For the evening, dried fruits, kefir. Any bread, but yesterday's baking. Food will heal by boiling or steaming, vegetables are allowed raw. Weak tea, instant coffee, all other drinks are allowed, except for alcoholic and sweet waters.
No. 4 - a diet for diseases of the housing and communal services, with diarrhea. The task is to reduce the number of inflammatory processes, to reduce the development of fermentation and putrefaction in the organs of the housing and communal services. For this purpose, chemical and physical components that can affect the mucous membrane are limited: grated, boiled or steamed food, white bread, can be slightly dried. Meat and fish of low-fat varieties, passed through a meat grinder several times. Soups and broths, non-acidic cottage cheese, immediately after cooking. Eggs can occasionally be soft-boiled. Cereals - buckwheat, rice, oatmeal. Drink decoctions of quince, dogwood, bird cherry, tea and black coffee.
No. 4b) is prescribed after exacerbation of chronic intestinal diseases, improvement of acute diseases. Recipes for dietary nutrition for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in such cases include minced meat and fish without fat, fermented milk (without strong acid) products, rice, buckwheat, oatmeal in a well-boiled version. From vegetables, potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, carrots and cauliflower are recommended. Drinks according to the diet option number 1. All food is boiled or cooked in a double boiler, grated or chopped.
No. 4c) - a diet for diseases of the housing and communal services, the purpose of which is to ensure sufficient nutrition of the body with incomplete functioning of the intestinal tract. It is used for recovery after acute intestinal diseases and a period of remission after an exacerbation of chronic diseases. Eat food in 5-6 sittings. Yesterday's bread can be dried fresh, but a small amount of dry cookies is allowed. Baking without muffin, no more than a couple of uses per week. Soups, meat with a minimum amount of fat, are allowed not only chopped, but also a whole piece. All dairy products with a limited amount of fat, mild cheeses. Oatmeal, rice, buckwheat groats are well boiled. Raw fruits - apples, pears, watermelon, oranges and grapes, peeled. Vegetables on diet No. 4b). Drink diluted juices in half with cooled boiling water, milk is added to the usual drinks, but not cream.
Dietary table No. 5 for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is intended during the recovery period after exacerbation in chronic cholecystitis and hepatitis, recovery after acute cholecystitis and hepatitis, gallstones and cirrhosis of the liver. Recipes for such diseases of the gastrointestinal tract include food from a double boiler, boiled, stewed and baked. Only high-fiber foods and tough meats are ground. Nasty pastries with various savory and not spicy fillings. Soups with milk, vegetables, cereals, pasta. Baked meat is allowed without a crust. The dairy group is represented by low-fat cottage cheese and milk. Raw vegetables and fruits are allowed, as long as they are not acidic. The patient prefers sweet dishes, then sweeteners are used instead of part of the sugar. Diet drinks No. 4c).

Prevention of gastrointestinal diseases

It is much easier and painless to avoid the disease instead of treating it. Prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract includes the elementary rules of a healthy lifestyle:

Prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in children follows the same rules, but more attention is paid to the diet and the quality of the dishes prepared. In addition to fried foods, children are limited to the consumption of spicy, too hot or cold foods, sour and sweet.

It is very important to teach children to always wash their hands before eating, not to eat unwashed vegetables and fruits, to spend money on school breakfasts in the canteen, and not on hot dogs. In addition, categorically exclude products that contain harmful dyes and preservatives, sweet water, unnatural seasonings.

Exercise therapy for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

During the rehabilitation period for diseases of the housing and communal services, physiotherapy exercises (LCF) and herbal medicine are widely used. Exercise therapy for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract helps to improve blood circulation, restore motor functionality, strengthen the muscles of the press and improve the body in general.

Indications for exercise are diseases:

Chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers
Colitis and enterocolitis
Splanchnoptosis
Diaphragm hernia
Biliary dyskinesia.

Exercises consist of tilts in different directions, turns, work of the press and legs. In particular, the legs work in the prone position for extension, flexion, crossing, lifting, breeding.

With colitis with a tendency to constipation, there are many relaxation exercises, in the case of intestinal atony - with a greater load and the use of power complexes.

A prerequisite for performing exercises is the state of 2 hours after eating. In addition, calm walking on level ground, swimming and bathing are recommended. Loads are carefully dosed, raised gradually. For some diseases, a special massage is prescribed, capturing certain areas.

Separately, exercise therapy for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract uses breathing exercises that help not only restore the body as a whole, but also organize proper blood circulation in all problem areas of the human body.

In order to get advice or join a therapeutic gymnastics group, you need to contact a physiotherapist, a specialist in the recovery of patients after diseases of the housing and communal services, or a coach in therapeutic gymnastics.

If the patient is going to use any complex on their own, it is necessary to first get a consultation from a specialist who will take into account not only the general diagnosis of the patient. But also his current state.

Herbal medicine for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is indicated, since the patient's body is usually weakened, and freely selected fees can quickly fill human organs with nutrients without damaging the painful areas of the housing and communal services.

Various infusions, decoctions and juices will help you quickly get rid of beriberi, anemia, they are instantly absorbed and at the same time additionally treat diseases, acting gently and accurately.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract respond well enough to treatment, and even the most difficult problems can often be cured. This is possible only if the patient and the doctor actively cooperate, the patient strictly follows the doctor's recommendations and fulfills all prescriptions even after the disappearance of unpleasant symptoms.

Diets and LCF can only be a good help in recovery, and not an opportunity for self-treatment.

Rarely does a child never have problems with the gastrointestinal tract during childhood. Newborns are tormented by gaziki and colic, older children are tormented by more serious diseases of the digestive system - gastoenteritis, and sometimes it comes to such an intestinal disease as an ulcer.

And if gas and colic are one of those diseases that a baby just needs to outgrow, then other diseases of the digestive tract do not go away so easily.

What are the most common gastrointestinal diseases in children?

According to statistics from the World Health Organization, one in ten children on the planet has a disease of the gastrointestinal tract in a chronic form. Sad fact, isn't it?

Important! That is why doctors are now talking so much about the prevention of such diseases in children, about proper nutrition, about the need for regular medical examinations of the digestive organs in preschoolers and schoolchildren of all ages.

It is regular medical examinations that can timely identify a child with an onset of a disease in the stomach or intestines and begin treatment on time, until the disease has become chronic.

What are the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children? Below is a list of the most common gastrointestinal diseases in babies:

diarrhea and constipation;
gastroenteritis;
dyspepsia;
pancreatitis;
gastritis (acute and chronic);
biliary dyskinesia;
chronic enterocolitis;
acute (or chronic) hepatitis.

Causes of such diseases in babies

Similar pathological changes in the digestive organs of children can occur for the following reasons:

Unfavorable environmental conditions.
Frequent colds and other infectious diseases in children.
An unbalanced diet, eating too many fast foods - hamburgers, chiburgers, french fries, chips, etc.
Heavily carbonated and chilled drinks.
Malfunctions in the immune system of babies, leading to various types of allergies.
Nervous - mental factors leading to the development of a number of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
The presence of neuroses of various etiologies in children.
Such diseases can be hereditary.

How is the digestive process in children

Do not forget that the child's gastrointestinal tract is still far from perfect.

The gallbladder produces and stores bile, the pancreas produces gastric juice and a number of other enzymes involved in the digestive process. All these components enter the stomach and duodenum of the child, which give a signal to the brain that the digestive organs are ready to eat. And the child immediately feels hungry.

When the child has eaten, the food descends through the intestines into the stomach, where its primary processing takes place, in which gastric juice and a number of enzymes take part. Then the semi-digested food enters the duodenum, where the final digestion of products takes place with the help of enzymes and bile.

As a result, all the elements, vitamins and other substances obtained in the process of food processing enter the internal organs of the baby with blood, and feces are formed from the residues, which come out during the act of defecation.

In an adult, all the components involved in the digestive process enter the stomach and duodenum at the same time. But in a child, the internal organs do not always work smoothly. It happens that the gastric juice has already entered the stomach and begins the process of digestion of food, but the bile has not yet reached the duodenum.

In this case, the food leaves the stomach, and its further processing in the intestine does not occur. Food begins to ferment and rot. The resulting gases can cause pain in the intestines. And the remains of rotting food leave the body in the form of diarrhea.

It happens and vice versa - the food has entered the stomach, but the gastric juice has not yet arrived. In this case, undigested food enters the next section of the intestine for further processing. And bile and enzymes are not able to cope with such an amount of unprocessed food. And part of the undigested food leaves the body with feces. As a result, the body does not receive the prescribed amount of useful elements and vitamins.

It also happens that there is no food in the stomach yet, and the gastric juice has already arrived, or there is already bile and the necessary enzymes in the duodenum, but there is nothing to digest - the food has not yet arrived. It is in this situation that the baby develops such diseases of the stomach and duodenum as gastritis with high acidity and an ulcer.

Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases

Important! The doctor's appointment of a specific treatment depends on the disease that is diagnosed in the child.

Usually drug therapy is carried out, an appropriate diet is prescribed, the process of the child's recovery directly depends on the careful observance of which. It is necessary to restore the normal situation in the family, the exclusion of stressful situations from the life of the baby, and not to give the child physical exertion.

A child who has been diagnosed with some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, even after a complete recovery, should regularly undergo a medical examination by a gastroenterologist in order to avoid a relapse of the disease.

Important! Such small patients are recommended sanatorium treatment.

Prevention of gastrointestinal diseases

What should be the prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children?

First of all, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle for all family members. To avoid a recurrence of gastrointestinal diseases in a baby, doctors recommend adjusting his diet, changing his lifestyle so that the baby is not nervous, restoring immunity.

If the child has any chronic diseases of the digestive system, then steps should be taken to prevent the exacerbation of these diseases.

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The digestive or gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important in the human body. He is responsible for the processing and extraction of valuable substances from food, transferring them to the blood and lymph. Thanks to this, the vital activity of the body is ensured. The gastrointestinal tract includes 30 organs, including the oral cavity and teeth, salivary glands, esophagus, liver, stomach, pancreas, intestines, etc.

The digestive tract should work as a well-coordinated, single mechanism. If at least one organ fails, this affects the activity of the entire system. And the violation of the absorption of nutrients affects the general well-being. It is especially important to prevent problems in the children's body. This may affect the future of the child.

How to avoid diseases, cope with the first symptoms, tells the heading "GIT".

Features of digestion in children

The gastrointestinal tract of a child is different from that of an adult. One of the features is that up to 10 years the stomach is involved in the absorption process, while in adults the process occurs in the small intestine. That is why some foods, such as mushrooms, are taboo for kids.

Other distinguishing features of the pediatric GI tract include:

More delicate, but less elastic mucous membranes, their abundant blood supply.
The small number and underdevelopment of the glands, in connection with which less gastric juice is secreted. Because of this, bactericidal properties are reduced, susceptibility to pathogens of gastrointestinal infections is high.
Other enzyme composition.

Diseases of the digestive system in children

In children are more likely to diagnose such diseases of the gastrointestinal tract:

Diarrhea, or diarrhoea. The reasons may be different - a transfer to artificial milk formulas, a change in diet or diet, infections and inflammatory processes in the intestinal part of the tract.
(if emptying does not occur for more than 2 days). Constipation occurs due to improper structure of the organ, taking certain medications, or changing the diet.
- acute and chronic. In the first case, roughage, unripe fruits, or food contaminated with bacteria are most likely to blame. The chronic form is caused by dietary disorders, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, etc. Chronic gastritis is combined with inflammatory processes in other organs - the duodenum, pancreas.
Ulcer of the stomach and duodenum. In most cases, the pathology is caused by a hereditary factor. Among the adverse factors called increased excitability of the nervous system.
Hepatitis - chronic and acute. The disease occurs due to viral, due to the action of poisons. Hepatitis B can be avoided by vaccination, which is included in the vaccination calendar.
, or inflammation of the pancreas.
, in which the content of beneficial intestinal microflora decreases. Occurs after infections, antibiotic treatment, poor nutrition, etc.
Spicy .

All ailments are accompanied by approximately the same symptoms - heartburn, nausea, vomiting, impaired stool,. Gastroenterologists note two peaks of incidence - 5–6 years and 9–11 years.

Causes of diseases

In addition to the reasons already mentioned above, they contribute to the development of pathologies:

an increase in the proportion of foods with artificial preservatives, dyes in the diet, a reduction in fiber, carbonated and cold drinks;
growing propensity to;
disorders of the nervous system - neuroses, neurocirculatory dysfunctions;
genetic factor;
unfavorable state of the environment.

Pediatric gastroenterologists are sounding the alarm: the incidence of the gastrointestinal tract is growing. Therefore, it is important for parents to be informed in this matter. From the materials of the heading "GIT" you will learn:

what symptoms indicate the disease;
what risk factors exist;
in what cases urgent medical assistance is needed;
about methods of treatment, including traditional medicine.

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Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in newborns and children of the first year of life are divided into the following types: diarrhea, abdominal pain, regurgitation. aerophagia.

This is not a complete list of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children. Diagnosis and treatment should be done by a pediatric gastroenterologist, and parents should know the main signs of these diseases, alarming symptoms and first aid methods.

Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in children are one of the most widespread problems, in particular among children in the first months of life. A distinctive feature of these conditions is the appearance of clinical symptoms in the absence of any organic changes in the gastrointestinal tract (structural abnormalities, inflammatory changes, infections or tumors) and metabolic abnormalities.

In infants, especially in the first 6 months of life, conditions such as regurgitation, intestinal colic and functional constipation are most common.

Causes of functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in children

The causes of functional disorders in children in the work of the gastrointestinal tract can be divided into two groups: related to the mother and related to the child.

The first group of reasons include:

Burdened obstetric anamnesis.
Errors in nutrition in a nursing mother.
Violation of feeding technique and overfeeding with natural and artificial feeding.
Incorrect dilution of milk mixtures.
Woman smoking.

The reasons associated with the child are:

Anatomical and functional immaturity of the digestive organs (short abdominal esophagus, insufficiency of sphincters, reduced enzymatic activity, etc.).
Violation of the function of regulation of the gastrointestinal tract due to the immaturity of the central and peripheral nervous system (intestine).
Features of the formation of the intestinal microbiota.
The formation of the sleep/wake rhythm.

Also, the reasons that contribute to the development of problems and pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract in children include:

Unbalanced nutrition.
unfavorable environmental situation.
Allergic reactions.
neuroses.

In most cases, when such pathologies are detected, the factor of heredity is confirmed.

Gastrointestinal problem in children: diarrhea

Diarrhea is an increase or thinning of the stool associated with indigestion. If in children of the first year of life the chair can be 3-5 times a day and have the consistency of thick sour cream, then after a year it should be regular and decorated.

Diarrhea is not a safe condition, as it can cause disruption of gastrointestinal functions such as motility and absorption of nutrients. But diarrhea often leads to dehydration and nutrient deficiencies in the body. The reasons for its occurrence include:

Nutritional errors.
Diet inappropriate for age.
Food poisoning.
Taking antibiotics.
Worms.
Intestinal infection.
Stress and negative emotions.
lactose deficiency.

If diarrhea is accompanied by fever, loss of appetite, weakness and deterioration in the general condition of the child, then a visit to the doctor should be immediate.

It is necessary to implement a set of measures to provide emergency assistance, namely:

Don't feed.
Replenish fluid loss.
Monitor the patient's condition.

To compensate for the loss of fluid, electrolyte solutions are used, for example, Regidron. Drinking should be given in small sips so as not to induce vomiting, but often, every 3 to 5 minutes.

Further treatment is prescribed by a specialist, based on the results of laboratory tests. However, regardless of the tactics of therapy, an important step should be the restoration of the intestinal microflora by taking lactobacilli, for example, the drug "Acipola".

Disruption of the gastrointestinal tract in children: symptoms and treatment of constipation

Constipation is a violation of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract in a child, which manifests itself in an increase in the intervals between bowel movements or a systematic incomplete emptying of the intestine.

The reasons may be:

Incorrect bowel function.
Increase in body temperature.
Taking antibiotics.

Changes in climate, water and diet can also provoke constipation.

If there is no apparent reason for the occurrence of constipation, then it is better to consult a specialist with this symptom of disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. If the reasons are obvious, then you need to provide emergency assistance. It is recommended to put a microclyster, such as Microlax, and make sure that such situations do not recur:

Normalize the diet.
Eliminate dysbacteriosis.
Restore intestinal motility.

In addition, regular physical activity contributes to normal bowel movements. And with such a functional disorder in the work of the gastrointestinal tract in young children, you can massage the abdomen in a circular motion in a clockwise direction, regularly perform exercises that consist in raising the legs to the abdomen and with a slight pressure of the knees on it, and also introduce mashed potatoes with a probiotic into complementary foods. .

Pain in the abdomen with problems with the gastrointestinal tract in a child

Abdominal pain in children can be a symptom of many diseases, including disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

In babies, signs of pain look like:

Anxiety.
Breast rejection.
Cry.

The causes of such pain can be:

Gastritis.
Ulcer disease.
Colic.
Binge eating.
Indigestion.
Constipation.

Pain may accompany food poisoning or a viral or bacterial infection.

Parents should understand that any pain in the abdomen that lasts more than half an hour should not be ignored.

If abdominal pain is caused by intestinal colic in infants, then this condition is accompanied by:

Bouts of crying for no apparent reason.
Pulling the legs to the stomach.
Passing flatus during crying.

This condition is due to the immature digestive system and the accumulation of gases during feeding.

It is necessary to compare all the factors that cause concern, undergo a comprehensive examination and strictly follow the doctor's instructions.

With intestinal colic in infants, an important point in the treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract is:

Compliance with the diet of a nursing mother.
Laying the baby on his stomach between feedings.
The use of the drug "Espumizan" with each feeding according to the instructions.

It is believed that colic begins at the age of 3 weeks and ends at 3 months. When the colic finally passes, this will be evidence of the adaptation of the baby's body to the "adult" type of nutrition, that is, not through the umbilical cord, but through the stomach.

Regurgitation in a child in violation of the digestive tract

This is a very common phenomenon in children in the first months of life. A baby is born with a relatively small stomach, so some of the milk remains in the esophagus. And since the child very often swallows air together with milk (in violation of the feeding technique), the air comes out with the milk.

Be sure to distinguish between regurgitation and vomiting. When spitting up, the child does not worry. Milk flows out of the baby's mouth. When vomiting, the baby is very worried, the contents of the stomach “fly out” under pressure.

Regurgitation can be both a variant of the norm and evidence of serious problems associated with the gastrointestinal tract.

Functional causes that are a variant of the norm:

Overfeeding.
Flatulence.
Inappropriate mix.
Tight swaddling.

Causes of pathological regurgitation:

Infectious processes in the body.
Anomalies in the development of the gastrointestinal tract.
Renal failure.
Heredity.

In addition, spitting up in babies can be caused by food poisoning.

While feeding the baby, it is necessary to follow the rules of feeding - correctly attach the baby to the breast or feed him from a bottle. After feeding, it is necessary to hold the child in an upright position (“column”) for several minutes. Usually this is enough.

In addition, regurgitation may be the result of a violation of the process of digestion of food, a manifestation of increased excitability of the nervous system, etc. In these cases, regurgitation may adversely affect the weight gain of the child.

Usually in infants, such disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract disappear as the body matures, as a rule, by 3 months. If they last longer, then a specialist consultation is necessary.

Gastrointestinal dysfunction in children: symptoms and treatment of vomiting

Vomiting is one of the symptoms of a violation in the digestive tract. It can be both a sign of food poisoning and other, more serious pathologies. If vomiting occurs, be sure to provide first aid to the child, measure body temperature and monitor his condition.

Causes of vomiting:

Overeating, especially in infants.
Inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
Taking medications.
Gastritis.
Intestinal infection.
Food poisoning.
Diseases of the central nervous system.

There can be many reasons, and therefore such a condition in a child cannot be ignored.

What to do?

When the first signs appear, you should contact your local pediatrician. During a medical examination in a children's clinic, a pediatrician conducts a detailed history taking, examination, consultations appoints specialist doctors, additional examination methods to exclude more serious diseases.

Treatment is prescribed after a comprehensive examination of the child. As a rule, doctors prescribe antiemetic drugs, such as Cerucal. If there is a need, then antimicrobial and antiviral agents, such as Novirin, are connected to therapy.

First aid:

Lay the patient on his side or wear in an upright position.
Drink often in small sips, a solution of Regidron is suitable.
Don't feed.
Wash your face and rinse your mouth between bouts of vomiting.

Also, when vomiting in the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction in children, sorbents are used, the Smecta drug has proven itself well, effective in reducing the effect of toxins on the body. In the case when vomiting is accompanied by pain or cramps in the abdomen, antispasmodics are used. To save the irritated gastrointestinal mucosa, it is better to prescribe an antispasmodic in the form of rectal suppositories, for example, Viburkol.

Aerophagy in violation of the digestive tract in a child

Aerophagia is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract in children, the cause of which is the swallowing of air, leading to repeated belching and flatulence. Moderate aerophagia is a common occurrence in children during the first months of life due to the immaturity of the nervous regulation of the swallowing process.

In infants, aerophagia can be caused by improper attachment to the breast or too much milk pressure.

What to do?

When aerophagia occurs in a child, parents should contact the local pediatrician to find out and eliminate the causes that caused aerophagia.

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The work of the digestive organs at an early age has its own specific features and therefore not every specialist in the treatment of adult patients can accurately diagnose and choose the best way to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in a child. Is engaged in the identification and treatment of diseases of the digestive system in a child pediatric gastroenterologist. A highly qualified gastroenterologist can recognize and prescribe a course of treatment for such diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in a child as gastritis, sigmoiditis, esophagitis, hepatitis, peptic ulcers (duodenal ulcers, stomach ulcers), duodenitis, colitis and others.

The slightest concern about burning and pain in the gastrointestinal tract in a child should alert you - effective treatment without possible complications of diseases of the digestive system depends on a timely identified disease at an early stage of development.

Pediatric gastroenterologist You should definitely examine your child if the following symptoms appear:
1. Vomiting, nausea, belching, heartburn
2. Violation of the defecation process
3. Chronic pain in the abdomen
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding from the digestive organs
6. Bad breath
7. Violation of the stool (diarrhea, constipation, unstable stool)
8. Weight loss

Pediatric gastroenterologist will examine the child, listen to complaints and take an anamnesis about the development of the child, find out the features of the possible previous treatment of diseases and the features of the diet. Then the gastroenterologist will prescribe additional examinations and diagnostics: stool tests for coprology, dysbacteriosis, carbohydrates,
general blood analysis,
ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the digestive system,
if necessary, refer the child for examination by other specialists for a more accurate diagnosis.

Below is information about the main diseases of the digestive system in children, which reveals pediatric gastroenterologist and then prescribes a course of treatment:

How to recognize the symptoms of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in an infant?
Pain in the abdomen in an infant is manifested by twisting of the legs, frequent anxiety, bending the legs to the stomach, and strong crying. The baby's tummy can be dense, noticeably swollen, and make specific sounds: transfusion and rumbling. At the same time, the baby makes an effort, blushes strongly, groans.
Pain in the tummy in an infant may appear due to the accumulation of gases, severe colic (spontaneous spasms of the intestines), which leads to sleep disturbance and a decrease in appetite.

An experienced pediatric gastroenterologist will determine the causes of symptoms of digestive diseases in an infant. The reasons can be very different:
1. The general immaturity of the digestive system in an infant, which is characteristic of any infant at an early age (frequent colic and accumulations of gases are quite normal for perfectly healthy babies up to 4 months of age)
2. Intestinal dysbacteriosis
3. Lactase deficiency due to imperfection of enzymatic systems in the child's body
Lactose intolerance is a fairly common phenomenon for children under 1 year old. Lactose (or milk sugar) is found in fermented milk products, breast milk, cow's milk and infant formula. Deficiency of the enzyme that breaks down lactose (lactase) in the infant's body leads to poor tolerance to dairy foods and poor absorption of lactose (lactose intolerance).
Lactase deficiency in an infant can develop both due to hereditary predisposition, and against the background of intestinal dysbacteriosis or general enzymatic immaturity. Symptoms of lactose intolerance in an infant: pain in the tummy during or after feeding, frequent liquid (and even frothy) stools (more than 10 times a day), bloating and weight loss. After examining the baby, a pediatric gastroenterologist may give a referral for a stool test for carbohydrates to confirm the diagnosis.

If the balance of the intestinal microflora is disturbed with the developing dominance of pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, the digestive system is disturbed and dysbacteriosis begins in children. Analysis of feces for dysbacteriosis (study of intestinal microflora) allows you to accurately establish the diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment to correct the intestinal microflora and restore the digestive system in a child.

Often to a pediatric gastroenterologist bring children with recurrent acute pain in the abdomen, which are not associated with diseases of the digestive system. The child complains of pain in the abdomen after suffering shocks, psycho-emotional stress. These are the so-called neurotic pains in children. After the examination, the gastroenterologist may advise you to consult a pediatric neurologist, a child psychologist, as well as a cardiologist - pain in the abdomen can be part of vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Why does the child have a stomachache? The most common causes of digestive disorders in children that are encountered pediatric gastroenterologist in my medical practice:

1. Overeating
It often occurs in very young children. Do you ever refuse your child a supplement? Do not be surprised if, after some time after overeating, the child begins to complain of pain in the tummy, he develops lethargy, apathy, slight nausea.
If this happens, put the baby to bed and if he vomited, let him drink some water. Enzyme preparations can significantly alleviate the condition, but they can only be given after consultation with a pediatrician!
And most importantly - try to teach your child to eat in moderation!

2. Colic (spontaneous spasms of the intestines)
If the child is very small (a few months old), then colic is usually provoked by air collecting in the intestines.
Manifestations of colic in a child - the baby cries a lot for a long time after eating.
What you need to do - if you are breastfeeding, make sure that he captures not only the nipple, but also the areola around it with his mouth. Try to eat only easily digestible foods. And if your baby is on artificial nutrition, then consult a pediatrician in order to choose the appropriate option for baby food (mixture) for the baby.
Prevention: Keep the baby upright for a while after feeding until the excess air is expelled from the intestines.

3. Constipation
You should be alerted by too rare bowel movements in a child (only a few times a week), as well as the appearance of periodic pain in the tummy and frequent flatulence.
What to do: Be sure to take the child to the examination to a pediatric gastroenterologist. Constipation can be the result of functional disorders of the pancreas or thyroid gland, as well as the liver. But such reasons are not common and in most cases it is enough to change the lifestyle and diet of the child. Give your child more foods that perfectly activate the work of the intestines, maintaining the balance of microflora - acidophilus milk, yogurts with bifidobacteria, kefir, as well as dried fruits (dried apricots, prunes, raisins) and raw and boiled vegetables (carrots, beets, apples, tomatoes) .
Constipation in a child can also be the result of dehydration - give the baby as much liquid as possible (juices, fruit drinks, compote).
The best way to deal with constipation in a child is to eat a nutritious diet, drink plenty of fluids and walk more in the fresh air.

4. Pathogenic bacteria
Some of the most common bacteria that cause diseases of the digestive system are salmonella and shigella.
Symptoms of salmonellosis in a child are fever, diarrhea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps.
What to do? Be sure to show the child to the pediatrician to clarify the diagnosis. Usually a course of antibiotics is prescribed. Treatment begins with the use of sorbents - activated carbon, sillard, smectite.
With shigellosis (dysentery) in a child, the child's body temperature rises to 38-39 degrees, watery stools appear mixed with mucus and blood, painful urge to defecate.
What to do? Be sure to take the child to the pediatrician for examination. Dysentery is usually treated with antibiotics. Be sure to give a glucose-salt solution, and when the baby gets better, replace it with a weak solution of unsweetened tea. Diet for dysentery - steam cutlets, cereals, baked apples. Give more fruits, berries and vegetables (wash them thoroughly).

5. Viral diseases
A fairly diverse group of pathogens - enteroviruses lead to indigestion in a child.
Enteroviral diarrhea. Absolutely any child can get sick by taking a dirty toy in his mouth or talking with an infected peer. Usually enterovirus diarrhea affects children under the age of 4 years. Symptoms - fever up to 38 degrees, cough, stuffy nose, sore throat. For symptoms of diarrhea, check with your pediatrician for the dosage of cold medicines and the treatment regimen. Let your child drink as much liquid as possible. Engage in boosting your child's immunity.
Another disease caused by a certain type of enterovirus is Hepatitis A in a child. The infection is transmitted through personal hygiene items, contaminated dishes, tap water (if the child drank raw water). Symptoms - the temperature rises sharply, the child is tormented by nausea and acute pain in the abdomen. The stool becomes discolored, and the urine becomes dark yellow. Yellowness of the whites of the eyes appears, then the face and then the whole body (signs of infectious jaundice).
With hepatitis A, the child will have to lie down for some time in the hospital. Diet for hepatitis A - vegetable soups, dietary meat (rabbit, turkey, chicken meat), stewed, boiled and raw vegetables.
The best cure for hepatitis A is vaccination. Encourage your child to eat only washed fruits and to wash their hands thoroughly before eating.

6. Acetonomic Crisis
The causes of occurrence are malnutrition, frequent overwork, a long trip - severe stress for the child's body, leading to excessive production of ketone bodies in the blood (acetone-acetic acid and acetone).
Symptoms - the child often vomits undigested food mixed with bile. The temperature rises, there are severe pains in the abdomen. From the mouth of the child smells of acetone.
Be sure to take the child to the examination to a pediatric gastroenterologist to clarify the diagnosis. Every five minutes, give your child a teaspoon of a solution of rehydron or alkaline mineral water without gas. Make an enema to cleanse the intestines (2 teaspoons of soda per 200 grams of water). Give the child a sorbent (Polysorb, Smecta, Sillard). Diet - for several days, give the baby cereals, crackers, mashed vegetable soups.
A complete diet and the exclusion of stressful situations will prevent the recurrence of the child's illness with an acetone crisis.

Analyzes and diagnostics prescribed by pediatric gastroenterologist :
1. Fecal analyzes for carbohydrates, dysbacteriosis, coprology
2. Biochemical blood test
3. Diagnosis of the pancreas and liver
4. Gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, proteinogram (protein fractions), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, total bilirubin, antitrypsin, cholinesterase, etc.
5. Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the abdominal cavity