Children are known to complain about silly things, which can make it difficult to know what to take seriously.
But there are some symptoms that could indicate something serious.
Dr. Gayathri KapoorDO, a pediatrician based at Orlando Health in Florida, spoke to The Post about common issues that parents tend to overlook too quickly.
1. Extreme thirst or frequent urination
Feeling thirsty all the time and frequent trips to the bathroom may seem normal, especially in the summer heat. But Kapoor urges parents to monitor these habits, as they may be signs of a number of serious health problems.
Thirst that doesn’t go away and frequent urination are classic warning signs of diabetes, for both children and adults. In people with diabetes, excess sugar builds up in the bloodstream and the kidneys have to pull fluids from around the body to try to get rid of the sugar through urine.
Other signs of diabetes include rapid weight loss, tingling or numbness, and fatigue.
Constant thirst can also indicate problems such as anemia or kidney, liver, or heart problems. Frequent urination may be the cause of an infection such as a urinary tract infection.
2. Constant snoring
Occasional snoring can be normal, and is often the result of allergies or the common cold. But snoring that doesn’t stop could be a sign of sleep apnea or enlarged tonsils that hinder breathing. This snoring can lead to poor sleep quality, which may affect behavior, learning, and development.
“Many parents think that snoring is normal if their child is a deep sleeper,” Kapoor said. “Some parents think this is normal because… they snore.”
If snoring becomes a problem, your child may be hyperactive during the day — or tired and having trouble concentrating. They may also gain weight or develop more slowly than other children over time.
Contact your doctor if your child does Gasping for air or pausing between breaths At night.
3. Frequent stomach pain
Stomach pain is invisible, and if your child exaggerates it often, you may be tempted to ignore it. But they may have a very real reaction (such as a food allergy or intolerance) to a particular food. Pain can also be related to an inflammatory response, constipation, or reflux.
Over time, constipation can cause stomach pain, poor appetite, urinary tract problems, and… unplanned accidents. Naturally, this can be really sad and uncomfortable for everyone involved.
Inflammatory bowel conditions such as celiac disease, where eating gluten triggers an immune response, and Crohn’s disease, which causes swelling in the digestive tract, can also begin to appear at an early age.
4. Withdrawal, anxiety, or mood changes
Children are moody. “It’s easy to attribute emotional changes to growing up,” Kapoor said.
Look for unusual and prolonged irritability and anxiety, which may lead to stomach pain. Stress and anxiety are among the biggest causes of digestive problems. Especially for children.
Also be on the lookout if they are trying to avoid school or withdraw from social activity.
Over time, a mental health problem left untreated can have an impact at home, at school, and with friends. “Early support can make a big difference,” Kapoor said.
5. Frequent headaches
“Headaches are often attributed to dehydration, screen time, or stress,” Kapoor said. But when these things keep happening, parents need to take action.
Frequent headaches can be a sign of vision problems. It is true that spending too much time in front of screens can cause headaches, or it may be a problem such as astigmatism or the need for corrective measures, such as glasses. These conditions cause the eye muscles to work harder than they should, leading to fatigue.
Children may also get headaches if they don’t sleep enough, don’t drink enough water, or if they have an illness such as the flu.
“Frequent headaches may sometimes indicate other medical conditions that deserve evaluation.”