Digestive Health

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Digestive Health

Every person’s overall well-being is directly related to the health and wellness of their gut, including children. When things are out of whack in the intestines, problems ensue, not just in the digestive tract but throughout the rest of the body. Gut issues can present as skin irritation, behavioral concerns, sleep troubles, and so much more. At Wellness Pediatrics in Birmingham, MI, Dr. Suhad Yaldo is ready to help you navigate the ups and downs of your child’s digestive health.

Constipation

Constipation can be painful, uncomfortable, and unknown to a parent if their child hasn’t alerted them that it’s been days since they’ve had a bowel movement. A fiber-low diet or lack of fluids can lead to constipation for a child, but there could be more serious issues in play too. If your child suffers with this problem for up to a week, has developed fever, pain, abdominal swelling, or isn’t eating, it’s time to get help from your pediatrician.

Functional Abdominal Pain

This is the stomach condition that may seem like your child is crying wolf. Belly pain comes and goes, doesn’t last very long, and isn’t related to anything in particular like having a bowel movement or eating a certain food. But functional abdominal pain is real, even though there is no known cause. It may be related to stress and anxiety, and is more likely to occur in someone who is sensitive to pain. Kids might feel nauseous, dizzy, tired, or have a headache. In many cases, the issue resolves within a few weeks or months with no lasting problems.

Gastritis & GERD

Gastritis is a common digestive health problem among children, showing up as recurrent abdominal pain or vomiting. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), sometimes just called reflux, is when stomach acid and food goes back up the esophagus creating heartburn and other issues like burping, stomach pain, disinterest in food, hiccups, and vomiting.

Gut Dysbiosis

Dysbiosis is an imbalance of the gut bacteria and when it occurs it can cause a host of digestive disturbances, including diarrhea, constipation, cramping, indigestion, and bloating. If gut dysbiosis is the diagnosis, your pediatrician may recommend a course of antibiotics, changes in diet (including adding foods to your diet like fish and dark, leafy greens and eliminating processed foods, certain types of dairy, and excess sugar), and supplements or probiotics to keep gut bacteria in balance.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is an ongoing inflammation of all or part of the digestive tract and often results in diagnoses like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. These chronic conditions affect the digestive tract differently, with Crohn’s disease attacking the lining and ulcerative colitis causing inflammation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder that causes diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, or a combination of all these symptoms. Repeated and changing symptoms are a sign that digestive health is not in balance. IBS turns into a chronic pain diagnosis when it lasts for over three months. The nerves in the gastrointestinal tract overreact to various stimuli, stress, or food, creating the discomfort and other symptoms.

Digestive Health Care from Birmingham, MI, Pediatrician Near Me

No one wants to associate these very adult-sounding conditions kids, but children do develop digestive problems. It’s better to recognize what’s going on, diagnose it, and treat it early so more serious problems to not have a chance to develop as they grow.

Your pediatrician wants your child to be healthy from head to toe, with no discomfort, embarrassment, or gut problems that prevent them from enjoying sporting events, playdates, camps, school activities, and more. If your child shows signs of any digestive discomfort, schedule an appointment with Dr. Yaldo at Wellness Pediatrics in Birmingham, Michigan. Tummy troubles are many and they are real – let us help you get your child to a healthy, pain-free place.