How is chronic abdominal pain diagnosed?
• Your child’s caregiver will want to know your family history of abdominal pain or problems. You will be asked what medicines your child takes, and how he eats and sleeps. Tell your child’s caregiver about any other health problems he has. Tell your child’s caregiver if your child has missed activities because of his pain. Tell your child’s caregiver if your child has been more stressed or worried lately. • Your caregiver will examine your child, and may have your child rate his pain using a pain scale. • Your caregiver may do blood tests as well as any of the following tests: • Abdominal ultrasound: This is a test that is done to see inside your child’s abdomen. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your child’s abdomen on a TV-like screen. X-rays may also be done. These are pictures taken of the organs inside your child’s abdomen. Caregivers use these pictures to look for problems such as blocked intestines. • Colonoscopy: This is a test that is done to look at your child’s colon
