Symptoms of Gastritis In Children and Its Home Remedies for Treatment

Gastritis in Children

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. It can occur in adults and children alike. It can be a painful condition and if it is left untreated, can lead to further gastrointestinal problems. Determining the underlying cause of the condition is necessary in figuring out a treatment plan for the condition.

There are a number of possible causes of gastritis in kids; these include:

• H. Pylori Bacteria. This is the most common cause of the condition in kids.
• Prolonged Pain Medication
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation Gastritis

Gastritis in Children Symptoms

• Upset stomach
• Tummy Ache. Kids may complain of pain before eating or after eating.
• Abdominal bloating
• Nausea and Vomiting. Parents need to look out for a coffee ground appearance to the vomit as it can signify bleeding in the stomach.
• Indigestion
• Appetite Loss
• Hiccups
• Trouble sleeping
• Waking up in the middle of the night from pain.
• Diarrhea
• Melena. This is black tarry stools and it can signify bleeding in the upper GI.

Gastritis Home Remedies

When gastritis is caused by the H Pylori bacteria, antibacterial medications are going to be the primary treatment option. Parents can also provide home care for their kids.

Common home remedies for gastritis include:

• Baking Soda with Honey. The honey helps to make the baking soda a lot more palatable with kids. This mixture can help to neutralize the gastric acids in the stomach giving kids relief from pain. Only use a small amount of baking soda.
• Smaller, More Frequent Meals. These help especially since uncomfortable fullness is one of the main signs of gastritis. Smaller meals with nutritious but easy to digest foods can get kids the nutrition that they need.
• Increased Fluid Intake. This is necessary as gastritis can lead to vomiting and diarrhea which can cause dehydration.
• Soothing Teas (Ginger and Chamomile). These help to soothe gastric spasms and it can help to relieve pain.

Dietary changes may also be implemented and kids may have to be given a low fiber, but well balanced diet for the duration of the illness.

Some foods to avoid include:

• High fiber food items
• Sugary Carbonated Beverages
• Fatty foods

Food items that the kid has developed intolerance for should also be avoided. Common problem foods that can aggravate gastric include:

• Dairy
• Wheat
• Gluten

When changing a kid’s diet for gastritis treatment, parents will need to consult with a nutritionist to develop a well-balanced plan. The BRAT (Banana, Rice, Apples Sauce, and Tea/Toast) Diet can be a base, but it has to be supplemented as it is not a well-balanced plan.