Chronic Abdominal Pain

Chronic abdominal pain affects an estimated 10 to 15 percent of children and adolescents at some point during their growing life. This problem causes significant life disruption for many children and can lead to missed school days, disruption in social activities, disturbed sleep patterns, and changes in emotional wellbeing. For some unfortunate children, chronic pain becomes the disturbing central focus of their lives, clouding other healthy function and enjoyment.

The cause of chronic abdominal pain is legion. Most children have functional ailments – meaning they are part of an altered, but non-disease functioning of normal organs especially the gastrointestinal system. Some children have organ disease such and ulcerative colitis, crohn’s disease, liver or kidney disease , etc. Chronic pain is often associated with other life problems such as disordered sleep patterns, anxiety, depression, school or social problems, and other altered physical or emotional states.

Pediatricians at Canyon View Pediatrics are in a unique position to evaluate and treat your child for chronic abdominal pain. As pediatric specialists we have done extensive training in all of the ailments which cause and contribute to this problem. We consider the whole child and general physical and emotional health in addition to life functioning when evaluating chronic abdominal pain.

Canyon View Pediatrics has in house lab, xray and ultrasound to assist us in making a diagnosis should these services be necessary. Most solutions to improve pain and restore healthy functioning are straightforward. Occasionally your child may need referral to a subspecialist for a more focused organ evaluation. We know the best personally and can guide you to a subspecialist should our thorough broad evaluation discover a disease process needing focused care.