Intestinal cramps are one of the common causes of abdominal pain in pediatric patients. The cause of intestinal cramps may be related to abdominal cold, indigestion or food intolerance, and is functional abdominal pain. The abdominal pain caused by intestinal spasm often comes on suddenly, lasts for a short time, and can relieve itself. The pain is mainly around the umbilicus and can be mild or severe, but there are no obvious signs in the abdomen, no accompanying symptoms such as fever, vomiting or diarrhea, and can be recurrent, with similar symptoms in each episode. Small infants may experience unsettling crying, kicking, frequent exhaustion, distention of the abdomen, and generalized agitation.
When intestinal spasms occur, the cause should be identified first, considering whether the child has a history of cold food, abdominal cold or overeating. If it is caused by cold in the abdomen, use 60g of aromatic herbs, 6g of salt and 9g of ginger mixed with pounding and frying, wrap the cloth into 2 parts and iron the abdomen in turn, or apply a hot water bag to the abdomen. If the child has a history of overeating, pain in the abdomen and refuses to press, or is accompanied by vomiting and rancid vomitus, the child can be given the Great Hawthorn Pill or the Children’s Food Pill orally. Massage the abdomen clockwise to promote normal peristaltic movement of the stomach and intestines.