Author: drertv

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is an uncommon disorder that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in your nose, sinuses, throat, lungs and kidneys.

Formerly called Wegener’s granulomatosis, this condition is one of a group of blood vessel disorders called vasculitis. It slows blood flow to some of your organs. The affected tissues can develop areas of inflammation called granulomas, which can affect how these organs work.

Early diagnosis and treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis might lead to a full recovery. Without treatment, the condition can be fatal.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of granulomatosis with polyangiitis can develop suddenly or over several months. The first warning signs usually involve your sinuses, throat or lungs. The condition often worsens rapidly, affecting blood vessels and the organs they supply, such as the kidneys.

Signs and symptoms of granulomatosis with polyangiitis might include:

• Pus-like drainage with crusts from your nose, stuffiness, sinus infections and nosebleeds
• Coughing, sometimes with bloody phlegm
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Numbness in your limbs, fingers or toes
• Weight loss
• Blood in your urine
• Skin sores, bruising or rashes
• Eye redness, burning or pain, and vision problems
• Ear inflammation and hearing problems

For some people, the disease affects only the lungs. When the kidneys are affected, blood and urine tests can detect the problem. Without treatment, kidney or lung failure can occur.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have a runny nose that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter cold medicines, especially if it’s accompanied by nosebleeds and pus-like material, coughing up blood, or other warning signs of granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Because this disease can worsen quickly, early diagnosis is key to getting effective treatment.

Causes

The cause of granulomatosis with polyangiitis isn’t known. It’s not contagious, and there’s no evidence that it’s inherited.

The condition can lead to inflamed, narrowed blood vessels and harmful inflammatory tissue masses (granulomas). Granulomas can destroy normal tissue, and narrowed blood vessels reduce the amount of blood and oxygen that reaches your body’s tissues and organs.

Risk factors

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis can occur at any age. It most often affects people between the ages of 40 and 65.

Complications

Besides affecting your nose, sinuses, throat, lungs and kidneys, granulomatosis with polyangiitis can affect your skin, eyes, ears, heart and other organs. Complications might include:

• Hearing loss
• Skin scarring
• Kidney damage
• A loss of height in the bridge of the nose (saddling) caused by weakened cartilage
• A blood clot forming in one or more deep veins, usually in your leg

Whipple disease is a rare bacterial infection that most often affects your joints and digestive system. Whipple disease interferes with normal digestion by impairing the breakdown of foods, and hampering your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, such as fats and carbohydrates.

Whipple disease can also infect other organs, including your brain, heart and eyes.

Without proper treatment, Whipple disease can be serious or fatal. However, a course of antibiotics can treat Whipple disease.

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms

Digestive signs and symptoms are common in Whipple disease and may include:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramping and pain, which may worsen after meals
• Weight loss, associated with the malabsorption of nutrients

Other frequent signs and symptoms associated with Whipple disease include:

• Inflamed joints, particularly the ankles, knees and wrists
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Anemia

Less common signs and symptoms

In some cases, signs and symptoms of Whipple disease may include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Skin darkening in areas exposed to the sun and in scars
• Chest pain

Brain and nervous system (neurological) signs and symptoms may include:

• Difficulty walking
• Vision problems, including lack of control of eye movements
• Confusion
• Memory loss

Symptoms tend to develop slowly over many years in most people with this disease. In some people, symptoms such as joint pain and weight loss develop years before the digestive symptoms that lead to diagnosis.

When to see a doctor

Whipple disease is potentially life-threatening yet usually treatable. Contact your doctor if you experience unusual signs or symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss or joint pain. Your doctor can perform tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Even after the infection is diagnosed and you’re receiving treatment, let your doctor know if your symptoms don’t improve. Sometimes antibiotic therapy isn’t effective because the bacteria are resistant to the particular drug you’re taking. The disease can recur, so it’s important to watch for symptoms that reappear.

Causes

Whipple disease is caused by a type of bacterium called Tropheryma whipplei. The bacteria affect the mucosal lining of your small intestine first, forming small sores (lesions) within the wall of the intestine. The bacteria also damage the fine, hairlike projections (villi) that line the small intestine.

Not much is known about the bacteria. Although they seem readily present in the environment, scientists don’t know where they come from or how they’re spread to humans. Not everyone who carries the bacteria develops the disease. Some researchers believe that people with the disease may have a genetic defect in their immune system response that makes them more likely to become sick when exposed to the bacteria.

Whipple disease is extremely uncommon, affecting fewer than 1 in 1 million people.

Risk factors

Because so little is known about the bacteria that cause Whipple disease, risk factors for the disease haven’t been clearly identified. Based on available reports, it appears more likely to affect:

• Men ages 40 to 60
• White people in North America and Europe
• Farmers and other people who work outdoors and have frequent contact with sewage and wastewater

Complications

The lining of your small intestine has fine, hairlike projections (villi) that help your body absorb nutrients. Whipple disease damages the villi, impairing nutrient absorption. Nutritional deficiencies are common in people with Whipple disease and can lead to fatigue, weakness, weight loss and joint pain.

Whipple disease is a progressive and potentially fatal disease. Although the infection is rare, associated deaths continue to be reported. This is due in large part to late diagnoses and delayed treatment. Death often is caused by the spread of the infection to the central nervous system, which can cause irreversible damage.

Your Care Instructions

Gastritis is a sore and upset stomach. It happens when something irritates the stomach lining. Many things can cause it. These include an infection such as the flu or something you ate or drank. Medicines or a sore on the lining of the stomach (ulcer) also can cause it. Your belly may bloat and ache. You may belch, vomit, and feel sick to your stomach.

You should be able to relieve the problem by taking medicine. And it may help to change your diet. If gastritis lasts, your doctor may prescribe medicine.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It’s also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Be safe with medicines. If your doctor prescribed medicine to decrease stomach acid, take it as directed. Call your doctor or nurse call line if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• Do not take any other medicine, including over-the-counter pain relievers, without talking to your doctor first.
• If your doctor recommends over-the-counter medicine to reduce stomach acid, such as Pepcid AC (famotidine), Prilosec (omeprazole), or Tagamet HB (cimetidine), follow the directions on the label.
• Drink plenty of fluids (enough so that your urine is light yellow or clear like water) to prevent dehydration. Choose water and other caffeine-free clear liquids. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink.
• Avoid coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate, and other foods with caffeine. They increase stomach acid.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds.
• You pass maroon or very bloody stools.

Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You start breathing fast and have not produced urine in the last 8 hours.
• You cannot keep fluids down.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:

• You do not get better as expected.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Epididymo-orchitis is a condition where there is inflammation of your epididymis and testicle. The epididymis is a bundle of very small tubes found next to each testicle. The epididymis is where sperm from each testicle passes before it goes out of the penis. Epididymo-orchitis usually affects the epididymis and testicle on one side of the scrotum, but it may affect both sides.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given if epididymo-orchitis was caused by a bacterial infection. Take them as directed.
• NSAIDs: These medicines decrease swelling, pain, and fever. NSAIDs are available without a doctor’s order. Ask which medicine is right for you and how much to take. Take as directed. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems if not taken correctly.
• Pain medicine: You may be given a prescription medicine to decrease pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take this medicine.
• Take your medicine as directed. Call your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider or urologist as directed:

You may need to return for blood tests or other testing after you are done with treatment. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Self-care:

• Ice: Ice helps decrease swelling and pain. Ice may also help prevent tissue damage. Use an ice pack or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel and place it on your swollen testicle or scrotum for 15 to 20 minutes every hour as directed.
• Rest: Rest or decreased activity may help decrease your pain. It may also help you heal faster. Return to normal activities as directed.
• Safe sex: Use a latex condom during oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Do not have sex with someone who has a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If you have an infection, let your sexual partner know so they can be checked for an STI and treated if needed. Do not have sex while you or your partner is being treated for an STI, or until your primary healthcare provider says that it is okay.
• Scrotal support: You may be told to put a pillow or rolled up towel under your scrotum to elevate your scrotum when you lie down or sit. This may help reduce your pain. An athletic supporter may make you more comfortable when you stand.

Contact your primary healthcare provider or urologist if:

• You have a fever.
• You have chills or feel weak and achy.
• Your pain is not relieved by bed rest, applying cold, or scrotal support.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You have an area of redness, swelling, and increased pain in your scrotum.
• You develop severe pain in your testicle.

Your Care Instructions

Sometimes small blood vessels in the white of the eye can break, causing a red spot or speck. This is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. The blood vessels may break when you sneeze, cough, vomit, strain, or bend over. Sometimes there is no clear cause.

The blood may look alarming, especially if the spot is large. If there is no pain or vision change, there is usually no reason to worry, and the blood slowly will go away on its own in 2 to 3 weeks.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It’s also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Watch for changes in your eye. It is normal for the red spot on your eyeball to change colour as it heals. Just like a bruise on your skin, it may change from red to brown to purple to yellow.
• Do not take aspirin or products that contain aspirin, which can increase bleeding. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you need pain relief for another problem.
• Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.

When should you call for help?

Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have signs of an eye infection, such as:
  • Pus or thick discharge coming from the eye.
  • Redness or swelling around the eye.
  • A fever.
• You see blood over the black part of your eye (pupil).
• You have any changes or problems in your vision.
• You have any pain in your eye.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:

• You do not get better as expected.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

An allergic reaction is your body’s response to an allergen. Allergens include medicines, food, insect stings, animal dander, mold, latex, chemicals, and dust mites. Pollen from trees, grass, and weeds can also cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction can range from mild to severe.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call 911 for signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis,

such as trouble breathing, swelling in your mouth or throat, or wheezing. You may also have itching, a rash, hives, or feel like you are going to faint.

Return to the emergency department if:

• You have a skin rash, hives, swelling, or itching that is starting to get worse.
• Your throat tightens, or your lips or tongue swell.
• You have trouble swallowing or speaking.
• You have worsening nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps, or you are vomiting.
• You have chest pain or tightness.

Contact your healthcare provider if:

• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• Medicines may be given to relieve certain allergy symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and swelling. You may take them as a pill or use drops in your nose or eyes. Topical treatments may be given to put directly on your skin to help decrease itching or swelling.
• Epinephrine may be prescribed if you are at risk for anaphylaxis. This is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will tell you if you need to keep epinephrine with you. You will be taught when and how to use it.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him of her if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Manage your symptoms:

• Avoid allergens. You may need to have allergy testing with your healthcare provider or a specialist to find your allergens.
• Use cold compresses on your skin or eyes. This will help soothe skin or eyes affected by the allergic reaction. You can make a cold compress by soaking a washcloth in cool water. Wring out the extra water before you apply the washcloth.
• Rinse your nasal passages with a saline solution. Daily rinsing may help clear allergens out of your nose. Use distilled water if possible. You can also boil tap water and then let it cool before you use it. Do not use tap water without boiling it first.
• Do not smoke. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can make an allergic reaction worse, and can also cause lung damage. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use these products.

If you are pregnant and are having abdominal pain with or without vaginal bleeding there is a chance that you are having a threatened miscarriage. Some pain or bleeding may occur in a NORMAL PREGNANCY. But pain may also be a sign of a MISCARRIAGE or an ECTOPIC PREGNANCY (baby growing in the Fallopian tube or other pelvic structures instead of the uterus). A miscarriage is the loss of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy. As many as 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Most of the miscarriages that occur in the first trimester of pregnancy are caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the baby.

You may be having a miscarriage.

Common signs of a miscarriage are pain and bleeding. A small amount of bleeding can be normal during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Often the pain and bleeding stop, and you have a normal pregnancy and baby. But heavy bleeding or severe cramping can be an early sign of miscarriage. A miscarriage means an unexpected loss of your pregnancy.

At this time, your healthcare provider doesn’t know whether you will have a miscarriage, or if things will clear up and your pregnancy will continue normally. This can be emotionally difficult. There is little that can be done to change the way you feel. But understand that miscarriages are common.

About 1 or 2 out of every 10 pregnancies end this way. Some even end before you know you are pregnant. This happens for a number of reasons, and usually the cause is never known. It’s important you know that it is not your fault. It didn’t happen because you did anything wrong.

Having sex or exercising does not cause a miscarriage. These activities are usually safe unless you have pain or bleeding or your healthcare provider tells you to stop. Even minor falls won’t cause a miscarriage. Miscarriages happen because things were not developing as they were supposed to. No medicine can prevent a miscarriage.

Again, understand that things are uncertain right now. You may still have some bleeding. This may be light spotting or like a period, and you may pass some tissue. You may have some cramping. This is why follow-up care is important.

Home care

To improve the chance of keeping your pregnancy, you should take these steps:

• Rest in bed until the pain and bleeding stop.
• Don’t have sex until your healthcare provider says it’s OK.
• Use sanitary napkins instead of tampons.
• Don’t douche.
• Don’t take aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
• Don’t have alcoholic or caffeinated beverages or smoke.

Follow-up care

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider within the next week, or as directed.

If you had an ultrasound, a radiologist will review it. You will be told of any new findings that may affect your care.

Call 911

Call 911 if you have:

• Severe pain and very heavy bleeding
• Severe lightheadedness, passing out, or fainting
• Rapid heart rate
• Trouble breathing
• Confusion or trouble waking up

When to seek medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Vaginal bleeding or pain that lasts for more than 3 days
• Heavy bleeding. This means soaking 1 new pad an hour over 3 hours.
• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider
• Pain in your lower belly (abdomen) that gets worse
• Weakness or dizziness
• Passage of anything that resembles tissue. This would be pink or grayish membrane or solid material. Save the tissue in a clean container and bring it to your provider.

What is diabetic ketoacidosis?

— Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious problem that happens to people with diabetes when chemicals called “ketones” build up in their blood. It can happen to people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, but it is more likely to affect people with type 1. That’s because people with type 1 make little or no insulin, a hormone that allows the body to use sugar as a source of energy. Normally, the body breaks down sugar as a source of energy. But in people with diabetes who do not make any insulin, the body is unable to use sugar. When the body can’t use sugar, it burns fat as a source of energy. But burning fat can cause the body to make too many ketones. When ketones build up in the blood, they can be toxic.

What causes diabetic ketoacidosis?

— People can get diabetic ketoacidosis for a few reasons: ●They are not getting treated for diabetes (possibly because they don’t know they have it) and so their body is breaking down fat. ●They have a major illness or health problem, such a heart attack or infection. ●They take certain medicines or illegal drugs. ●They don’t take their insulin as directed. ●Their insulin pump does not work correctly.

What are the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis?

— The symptoms can include: ●Feeling very thirsty and drinking a lot ●Urinating a lot, including at night ●Nausea or vomiting ●Belly pain ●Feeling tired or having trouble thinking clearly ●Having breath that smells sweet or fruity ●Weight loss

Should I see a doctor or nurse?

— See your doctor or nurse right away if you have the symptoms listed above. Also, see your doctor or nurse if your blood sugar levels keep being higher than they should be.

Is there a test for diabetic ketoacidosis?

— Yes. If the doctor or nurse thinks you have diabetic ketoacidosis, he or she will order several blood tests, including tests to check your blood sugar and ketone levels. He or she will also check your urine for ketones. These tests can show whether you have diabetic ketoacidosis. Because diabetic ketoacidosis can cause problems with the heart, you might also need an electrocardiogram. That is a test to measure the electrical activity in the heart.

How is diabetic ketoacidosis treated?

— Treatment is done at the hospital and can include: ●Fluids and electrolytes – When dealing with diabetic ketoacidosis, the body loses a lot of fluids. It also loses electrolytes, chemicals such as sodium and potassium, that keep cells working normally. As part of treatment for the condition, doctors must replace lost fluids and electrolytes. ●Insulin – When the body has enough insulin, it can use sugar as fuel and it does not need to break down fat.

Can diabetic ketoacidosis be prevented?

— You can reduce your chances of getting diabetic ketoacidosis by: ●Taking your insulin exactly as directed ●Measuring your blood sugar often to make sure it is not too high or too low

a patient education video by Dr. Carlo Oller – emergency physician about the ‘Acute Abdomen’.

What is an acute abdomen?

— Doctors use the term “acute abdomen” to describe an episode of belly pain that starts suddenly and lasts for a few hours or longer. Doctors use the word “acute” when something starts suddenly. The “abdomen,” or belly, is the part of the body between the chest and the genital area. When people have an acute abdomen, their pain is so severe that they have a hard time moving or breathing and it makes them want to go to the hospital or see their doctor or nurse right away. A true acute abdomen is a medical emergency. The pain symptoms are different for different people. The pain can feel sharp or crampy. People can feel the pain all over their belly, or only in one part. Some people feel better if they curl into a ball, while others need to lie flat and completely still. People often feel sick to their stomach and retch or vomit. Of course, not everyone with pain in the belly has an acute abdomen. When pain is less severe, it can be due to something like a virus or a stomach inflammation (called “gastritis”).

What causes an acute abdomen?

— An acute abdomen can have different causes. Most of the time, an acute abdomen happens when there’s a serious problem with one or more organs in the abdomen. Organs in the abdomen can be part of the digestive, urinary, or female reproductive systems. Conditions that affect organs in the chest or genital area can also cause an acute abdomen. Even though these organs aren’t in the belly, people might still have pain in their belly. Common causes of an acute abdomen in adults include: ●Appendicitis – Appendicitis is the term for when the appendix (a long, thin pouch that hangs down from the large intestine) gets infected and inflamed. ●Diverticulitis – Diverticulitis is an infection that develops in small pouches that can form in the intestine. This is common in older people. ●Gallstones – Gallstones are small stones that form inside an organ called the gallbladder, which stores bile, a fluid that helps the body break down fat. ●Abscess – An abscess is a collection of pus in the intestine. ●Bowel perforation – This is a hole in the bowel wall. ●Perforated ulcer – This is a hole in the wall of the stomach or intestine. ●Pancreatitis – This is the term for when the pancreas gets inflamed. ●Ruptured cyst in the ovary – Cysts in the ovary are fluid-filled sacs that can form in some women. They sometimes rupture, which means that they break open and spill out. ●Ectopic pregnancy – An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus.

Should I see a doctor or nurse?

— Yes. If you have symptoms of acute abdomen, see your doctor or nurse or go to the hospital right away. If you have a true acute abdomen, it is important that treatment begin without delay.

Will I need tests?

— Probably. The doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms, including where your pain is and what it feels like. He or she will ask about your current and past medical conditions, and do an exam. Your doctor might do repeat exams over time to follow your symptoms. Your doctor will decide which tests you should have based on your symptoms and individual situation. The tests might include: ●Blood tests ●Urine tests ●X-rays ●An ultrasound, CT scan, or other imaging test – Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body. How is an acute abdomen treated?

— Treatment depends on what’s causing the pain. It might include one or more of the following: ●Fluids given by IV ●Pain medicines ●Antibiotic medicines to treat an infection ●Other medicines to treat other medical conditions ●Surgery

What happens when you have a stomach ache?

— When you have a stomach ache, you have pain or discomfort in your belly. Sometimes that’s the only symptom you have. Other times, you can have other symptoms such as: ●Burning in your chest known as heartburn ●Burping ●Bloating (feeling as though your belly is filled with air) ●Feeling full too quickly when you start eating

Should I see a doctor or nurse about my stomach ache?

— Most people do not need to see a doctor or nurse for a stomach ache. But you should see your doctor or nurse if: ●You have bloody bowel movements, diarrhea, or vomiting ●Your pain is severe and lasts more than an hour or comes and goes for more than 24 hours ●You cannot eat or drink for hours ●You have a fever higher than 102°F (39°C) ●You lose a lot of weight without trying to, or lose interest in food

What causes stomach aches?

— In some cases, stomach aches are caused by a specific problem, such as a stomach ulcer (a sore on the inside of the stomach) or a condition called “diverticulitis,” in which small pouches in your large intestine get infected. But in some cases, doctors and nurses do not know what causes stomach aches or the other symptoms that happen with them. Even so, doctors and nurses can usually treat the symptoms of stomach ache.

What treatments help with stomach symptoms?

— If your symptoms are caused by a specific problem, such as an ulcer, treatments for that problem will likely relieve your symptoms. But if your doctor or nurse does not know what is causing your pain, he or she might recommend medicines that reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. These medicines often relieve stomach ache and the symptoms that come with it. Some of these medicines are available without a prescription.

Can I do anything on my own to prevent stomach ache?

— Yes, the foods you eat and the way you eat them can have a big effect on whether or not you feel pain. To lower your chances of getting a stomach ache: ●Avoid fatty foods, such as red meat, butter, fried foods, and cheese ●Eat a bunch of small meals each day, rather than two or three big meals ●Stay away from foods that seem to make your symptoms worse ●Avoid taking over-the-counter medicines that seem to make your symptoms worse – Examples include aspirin or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin). Some people – especially kids – sometimes get a stomach ache after drinking milk or eating cheese, ice cream, or other foods that have milk in them. They have a problem called “lactose intolerance,” which means that they cannot fully break down foods that have milk in them. People with lactose intolerance can avoid problems caused by milk if they take a medicine called lactase. Lactase (sample brand name: Lactaid), helps your body break down milk. Some foods come with it already added. If your stomach ache seems to be related to constipation, meaning that you do not have enough bowel movements, you might need more fiber or a medicine called a laxative. (Laxatives are medicines that increase the number of bowel movements you have.) Taking in a lot of fiber helps to increase the number of bowel movements you have. You can get more fiber by: ●Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains ●Taking fiber pills, powders, or wafers

Is a stomach ache the same for children as it is for adults?

— In general, yes. Children get stomach aches for the same reasons that adults do. As with adults, doctors and nurses often do not know what causes stomach pain in children. But in children, stomach pain is often triggered by stress or anxiety. For them, it’s especially important to pay attention to psychological or emotional problems that might be making pain worse.