Functional abdominal pain is when kids have belly pain because of sensitive nerves in the gastrointestinal tract. During digestion, food moves through the stomach and intestines and causes these areas to stretch and bloat (swell with fluid or gas). Tests don't show any cause for the pain. The pain usually goes away with time or by managing any symptoms your child may have. Your health care provider will suggest ways to help your child cope with the pain.

• Tell your child that many kids have belly pain, and that it usually gets better with time. 
• Help your child focus on other things: 
  • Avoid asking your child if there is pain. 
  • Focus on what's good about your child's health, and what your child is able to do. 
  • Young children may be able to be distracted by singing a song or listening to a story when they feel pain. 
  • For older kids or teens, sports, music, movies, and games can help keep their focus away from the pain. 
  • Encourage your child to think good thoughts during times of pain. 
• It may be helpful for you to keep a diary of your child's pain to see if you can find anything that makes the pain more likely, such as certain foods or lack of sleep. 
• Have your child continue normal activities and school routines. Being inactive can sometimes make the pain worse. 
• Stress also can make pain worse. Help your child manage and relieve stress. Relaxation techniques might be helpful for older kids and teens. 
• Art, music, or play therapy may help kids relax and communicate how they're feeling. 
• Providing a calm and supportive environment at home and at school can be helpful. 
• Help your child get a restful, full night's sleep. 
• Encourage your child to eat a well-balanced diet. If your child has constipation, increasing fiber in the diet may help.
• Talk to the health care provider about your child's diet to see if any changes should be made. Some kids find that foods with lactose (milk or milk products), greasy foods, spicy foods, caffeine, carbonated drinks, sugar-free gum or candy, or foods that produce gas (such as beans or cabbage) lead to pain. Pay attention to symptoms after your child eats different foods to see if any help with pain or make it worse. 
• Sometimes medicines may be helpful. Talk to the health care provider to see if medicine is right for your child. 

Your child:

• has pain that's worse or different from the way it usually feels
• has a fever or vomiting along with the pain
• is constipated
• is losing weight
• develops other new symptoms

Your child:

• has very bad belly pain or seems very ill
• has blood in the poop
• has a lot of diarrhea
• appears dehydrated; signs include dizziness, drowsiness, a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, crying with few or no tears, or peeing less often (or having fewer wet diapers)

Does functional abdominal pain need treatment? In most kids, functional abdominal pain improves on its own within a few months. Sometimes diet changes, medicines, or other methods may help ease pain. Talk to the health care provider about whether these things might help your child. Counseling and relaxation techniques can help kids cope and manage the pain.