Every child occasionally suffers from common maladies such as headaches and stomach cramps. While a passing headache or stomachache is usually nothing to worry about, pains that occur frequently or which are accompanied by other symptoms may indicate a viral or bacterial infection or an underlying physical or mental health issue. If you have concerns about your child's symptoms, seek the advice of your health-care provider.
Stomach Flu
Food poisoning and bacterial and viral infections typically cause the stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that is commonly known as the stomach flu. Along with its characteristic digestive symptoms, stomach flu can also cause headaches, body aches and fever. If your child is vomiting or having frequent diarrhea, he may develop dehydration, which can also cause headaches. Teach your child to wash his hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom, to prevent illness. Also, observe safe food-handling practices, such as keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and washing your hands and kitchen surfaces well after preparing raw meat.
Anxiety
Anxiety can cause both stomachaches and headaches in children. Occasional anxiety, such as worrying about a large exam, is common and can be normal, but if your child seems excessively anxious or worries about events that are not likely to happen, she may have an anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder, for example, can leave your child in a constant state of worry and also often manifests in physical symptoms, including headache, stomach cramps, vomiting, sleep disturbances and chest pains.
Migraines
FamilyDoctor.org states that as many as 5 percent of elementary school-aged children and 20 percent of high school students suffer from migraine headaches. These headaches may last from a few hours to several days and are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Migraines are more common in girls than in boys and can be caused by fluctuating hormones, stress, changes in sleep patterns and skipping meals. Since foods and too much physical activity can also be triggers, have your child keep a journal of what he eats and drinks, as well as how active he is, to see if you or his doctor can detect a pattern.
Considerations
Headaches and stomach cramps that last more than a few days or are severe warrant a trip to the doctor to find the cause. If these symptoms are accompanied by persistent vomiting or a high fever, or if they occur after a head injury, seek prompt medical assistance. If you have a baby, ask her pediatrician whether she should have a rotovirus vaccine, which can prevent one type of stomach flu.
