Functional abdominal pain

• Functional abdo pain in the most common cause of abdominal pain in children.
• What do functional abdominal pain disorders include?

  Indigestion (function dyspepsia)

  IBS

  Abdominal migraine (similar symptoms to regular migraine, but no headache)

  Non-specified functional abdominal pain
• What can functional abdominal pain in children lead to?

  Increased anxiety

  Can impact family life, school life & a child's daily activities
• What are the RFs for functional abdo pain?

  FHx

  Stress & anxiety

  Other psychological difficulties (depression)

  Food allergies & intolerances
• What is the treatment for functional abdominal pain?

  Symptoms can improve over time

  No cure for functional abdominal pain

  Healthy diet

  Reassurance & relaxations

  Regular exercise

  Sleep

  Manage stress

  Medication may be suggested in some cases

  • laxatives
  • antidiarrhoeal
  • antispasmodic drugs
  • probiotics
• What are functional abdominal pain disorders?

  Group of conditions causing abdo pain without inflammation, infection or structural abnormalities in the gut
• What percentage of children worldwide are affected by functional abdominal pain disorders?

  Around 15%
• What are common symptoms of functional abdominal pain disorders?

  Abdo pain

  Vomiting

  Constipation

  Diarrhoea

  Sometimes headaches
• What causes functional abdominal pain disorders?

  Problems with brain-gut communication, visceral hypersensitivity (nerves between gut & brain become oversensitive -> brain to notice normally ignored sensations), and sometimes changes in gut bacteria.
• Can functional abdominal pain disorders cause long-term damage?


  No
• How are functional abdominal pain disorders diagnosed?

  Mainly through symptoms, but tests may be done to rule out conditions like celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.