symptoms of digestive disorders
digestive disorders
Chronic Abdominal Pain and Recurring Abdominal Pain
Treatment of abdominal pain depends on the cause and the symptoms. For example, if people have lactose intolerance, a lactose-free diet (eliminating milk and other dairy products) can help. If people are constipated, using a laxative for a few days plus adding fiber to the diet can help. Treatment of functional pain depends on the symptoms and is focused on helping people return to normal daily activities and lessening the discomfort. Usually, treatment involves a combination of strategies. Several visits to the doctor may be needed to develop the best combination. Doctors often arrange follow-up visits, depending on people's needs. Visits are continued until well after the problem has resolved. After functional pain is diagnosed, doctors emphasize that the pain, although real, usually does not have a serious cause and that emotional factors (for example, stress, anxiety, depression) may trigger or worsen an episode of pain. Doctors try to avoid repeating tests after thorough testing has failed to show a physical cause of the symptoms. Although there are no treatments to cure functional chronic abdominal pain, many helpful measures are available. These measures depend on a trusting and understanding relationship between the doctor, person, and person's family members. Doctors explain how the laboratory and other test results show that the person is not in danger. Doctors encourage people to participate in work, school, and social activities. Such participation does not worsen the condition but instead encourages independence and self-reliance. People who withdraw from their daily activities risk having their symptoms control their life rather than having their life control their symptoms. Changing the diet and consuming a high-fiber diet or fiber supplements helps some people. People may need to avoid foods that trigger their pain. For example, some people should avoid eating large amounts of foods that are difficult to digest and produce a lot of gas and avoid drinks that are high in sugar. Many drugs have been tried with varying success. They include drugs that reduce or stop muscle spasms in the digestive tract (antispasmodics) and peppermint oil. Sources of stress or anxiety are minimized as much as possible. Parents and other family members should avoid reinforcing the pain by giving it too much attention. If people continue to feel anxious or depressed and this seems to be related to the pain, doctors may prescribe antidepressants or drugs to reduce anxiety. Therapies that help people modify their behavior, such as relaxation training, biofeedback, and hypnosis, may also help reduce anxiety and help people better tolerate their pain. Forchildren,help from parents is essential. Parents are advised to encourage the child to become independent and to fulfill the child’s normal responsibilities, particularly attending school. Allowing the child to avoid activities may actually increase the child’s anxiety. Parents can help the child manage pain during daily activities by praising and rewarding the child’s independent and responsible behaviors. For example, parents could reward the child by scheduling special time with the child or a special outing. Involving school personnel can help. Arrangements can be made to let the child rest briefly in the nurse's office during the school day, then return to class after 15 to 30 minutes. The nurse can sometimes allow the child to call a parent, who should encourage the child to stay in school. 