Every parent knows how frustrating a stomachache can be. Whether your child is old enough to point to her stomach or just cries inconsolably, you're probably worried and looking for some help on how to handle your little one's tummy troubles and when to head to the doctor. Here's a little expert guidance.

First of all, this is probably not your first – or last – episode of tummy troubles. In fact, abdominal pain in kids is one of the top reasons parents take their children into the emergency department. And that's where I see them. Maybe your child is fussy or hasn't eaten. Maybe he's vomiting or has had diarrhea. Maybe he hasn't pooped for a few days. Most likely, at this point he's just mad – at the pain, at you and most definitely at me, the doctor who wants to examine him.

By the time you get to the hospital and see a doctor, you may be nearly as upset as your child since you just can't figure out how to make his belly better. I can help, but I have to admit that abdominal pain can be just as challenging for the doctor as for the parents. Sometimes, we can cure the stomachache without ever finding out what caused it, though we will make sure it isn't something serious.

The truth is that belly pain can be caused by something trivial, like a little constipation, or by something that can turn ugly, like appendicitis. But it's not always easy to tell them apart. The good news is that most belly pain gets better quickly on its own. The hard part is knowing when you need to see a doctor. That's where I hope to point you in the right direction.

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