Functional abdominal pain is a disorder of gut-brain interaction, meaning a condition where the brain and the nerves related to the gastrointenstinal system are not communicating effectively, which then results in uncomfortable physical symptoms. Pain is typically reported in the middle of abdominal area, around the belly button, and has been present for at least 2 months. A structural cause or problem is usually not identified during evaluation of the pain. However, it is known that functional abdominal pain is real, involuntary, and automatic. In addition to pain, some youth also report nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. It’s not “all in your head”. Between 10-15% of children and adolescents experience functional abdominal pain, with severity ranging from mild to debilitating. Youth may find it difficult to attend school, participate in their favorite activities, or maintain regular sleep and eating routines. Chronic pain can trigger symptoms of anxiety and depression which can maintain or worsen physical symptoms, and vice versa. A variety of factors contribute to the development of functional abdominal pain, and therefore, treatment often includes support from different types of professionals, including physicians, psychologists, dieticians, and sometimes occupational therapists or physical therapists.
