Complaining of a stomachache when it is time to get ready for school is probably the most common technique to bunk classes that students have employed for ages. But what if this is not simply an excuse to stay at home, but a symptom of an underlying cause?
In an interaction with HT Lifestyle, paediatrician Dr Sushil Singla shared that recurrent abdominal pain in children can have several causes. Constipation , irregular eating habits, indigestion, food-related issues and anxiety can all contribute.
What can cause pain that occurs only before school?
If the stomach ache regularly appears on school mornings and improves when the child stays home, such as during weekends and on holidays, emotional stress could be playing a role, pointed out Dr Singla. However, this does not mean the pain is imaginary. As per the paediatrician, stress can affect the gut and can produce very real physical symptoms. “Parents can gently ask what the child is feeling about school instead of immediately assuming they are trying to avoid it. Changes in sleep, appetite, mood or behaviour may also offer clues,” he noted. “Some children avoid using school toilets and hold their stool until they reach home. Regularly ignoring the urge for bowel movement can contribute to constipation and abdominal discomfort,” he warned. “Low fibre intake, inadequate water and a diet high in processed foods may also make constipation more likely. In his words, “Indigestion, food intolerance, urinary problems, infections and functional abdominal pain can also cause recurring discomfort. In some children, abdominal pain may occur even when no structural problem is found. It is also worth consulting a doctor if the pain continues despite improving the child’s hydration, diet and bowel habits. Keeping a simple record of when the pain occurs, where it hurts, bowel movements, food intake and whether it happens on school days or weekends can help identify a pattern, shared the paediatrician.
