Kids have been known to complain about silly things — which can make it hard to know what to take seriously.
But there are a few symptoms that can signal something serious.
Dr. Gayathri Kapoor, DO, a pediatrician based at Orlando Health in Florida, spoke to The Post about common issues parents are prone to brush off too quickly.
1. Excessive thirst or frequent urination
Being thirsty all the time and frequent trips to the bathroom can seem normal, especially in the summer heat. But Kapoor urges parents to keep watch for these habits, as they could be signs of a number of serious health problems.
Thirst that won’t go away and constant peeing are classic warning signs for diabetes, for both kids and adults. In people with diabetes, excess sugar builds up in the blood stream and kidneys are forced 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 tiredness.
Lasting thirst could also point to problems like anemia, or issues with the kidneys, liver or heart. Frequent peeing could be a cause of an infection like a UTI.
2. Persistent snoring
Occasional snoring can be normal, often resulting from allergies or a cold. But snoring that won’t let up can be a sign of sleep apnea or enlarged tonsils getting in the way of breathing. And that snoring can lead to poor quality sleep, which can affect behavior, learning and growth.
“Many parents think snoring is normal if their child sleeps deeply,” Kapoor said. “Some parents think it’s normal because they snore.”
If snoring is becoming a problem, your child might be overactive during the day — or tired and have trouble concentrating. They may also put on weight or develop slower than other kids over time.
Get in touch with a doctor if your kid is gasping for air or pausing between breaths at night.
3. Recurrent stomach pain
Stomach pain is invisible, and if your kid exaggerates often, you may be inclined to dismiss it. But they may be having a very real reaction (like a food allergy or intolerance) to a certain food. The pain could also be related to inflammatory response, constipation or reflux.
Over time, constipation can cause stomach pain, poor appetite, urinary problems and … unplanned accidents. Of course, this can be really distressing and uncomfortable for everyone involved.
Inflammatory bowel conditions like celiac disease, where eating gluten triggers an immune response, and Crohn’s disease, which causes swelling in the digestive tract, can also start to appear at a young age.
4. Withdrawal, anxiety or changes in mood
Kids are temperamental. “It’s easy to attribute emotional changes to a developmental stage,” Kapoor said.
Look out for unusual and prolonged irritability and worry, which can result in stomach aches. Stress and anxiety is one of the biggest reasons for gastrointestinal issues, especially for kids.
Also, be on the lookout if they’re trying to avoid school or withdraw from social activity.
Over time, a mental health problem left untreated can have an impact at home, in school, and with friends. “Early support can make a huge difference,” Kapoor said.
5. Frequent headaches
“Headaches are often blamed on dehydration, screen time or stress,” Kapoor said. But when they keep happening, parents should take action.
Recurring headaches could be a sign of vision problems. It’s true that too much screen time can cause headaches, or it could be an issue like astigmatism or need for corrective measures, like glasses. These conditions cause the eye muscles to work harder than they should, straining them.
Children might also get headaches if they’re not sleeping enough, aren’t drinking enough water, or have an illness like the flu.
“Recurring headaches can sometimes point to other medical conditions that deserve evaluation.”
