Symptom 2: Bloating and Fullness
Imagine the sensation of a balloon slowly inflating inside your stomach. That encapsulates how bloating can feel. Children often describe this sensation in simple, candid terms. They may say their belly feels “big” or “swollen.” In some instances, they may even complain about their clothing feeling tighter, particularly around the waist area. This feeling isn’t just limited to the sensation. In severe cases, the stomach might even appear distended, pushing against the fabric of their shirts or dresses.
Now, one might wonder, what causes this? More often than not, the culprit is gas. This gas isn’t the result of some external factor but is produced within the digestive system itself. Several foods, when broken down, release gases. Beans, lentils, broccoli, and certain fizzy drinks are known culprits. When children consume these, it’s not unusual for them to experience a buildup of gas in their stomach and intestines.
Tied closely with bloating is the sensation of fullness. It’s a bit of an enigma, really. A child might have consumed just a few bites of their meal, and yet, they claim they can’t eat any more because they feel “full.” This perplexing sensation of premature fullness can be quite concerning for parents. After all, adequate nutrition is vital for a child’s growth and development. This feeling of fullness is closely linked to the bloating but can also stem from slow gastric emptying, where the stomach takes longer than usual to pass food to the small intestine.
While it’s daunting to see a child in discomfort, there are ways to alleviate these symptoms. Encouraging children to eat slowly can prevent them from swallowing excess air, a minor but notable contributor to bloating. Additionally, maintaining a food diary can help pinpoint specific foods that might be causing the issue. By identifying and subsequently reducing the intake of such foods, one can significantly mitigate bloating and fullness episodes. (2)
