Ding Ding was a ten-year-old Chinese Boy. He often told his parents that his belly pained. At first, his parents thought it was his excuse to escape schooling and homework. Later, they took him to hospital and found that he did not pretend to be ill. Ding Ding was infected by bacteria and got gastritis. Doctors told his parents that such cases were common in children. The youngest stomach disease patient was only 22-month-old.

Many people it is impossible for children to have stomach diseases. Stomach problems seem to be a patent of white-collar workers and students because these people do not have meals regularly. But doctors tell us that children would also get stomach diseases. Doctors explain that children do not have the sense of stomachache. When they do not feel well, they often mistake it for bellyaches. As a result, their stomach diseases can not be found as soon as possible.

Most gastritis and gastric ulcer are because of infections caused by Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori transmit from saliva. And it would stay in the body for many years without any symptom.

Rubbish food is also one cause of stomach problems. Compared with ordinary meals, many children prefer to eat unhealthy food, such as fried food, cola and coffee. Though this kind of food is quite delicious, it will stimulate the production of gastric acid and pepsin. Food like hamburgers and fired chicken contains so much fat that it would load a heavy burden on stomach. Except for this unhealthy food, irregular dieting is a main cause of stomach diseases, too.

Another reason of stomach diseases is the bad condition of the oral cavity. When doctors check child patients who have bellyaches or stomachaches, they always find that the cheek teeth of these children are rather black. Doctors point out that if the sanitation of the oral cavity is not paid attention to, it would lead to stomach diseases. Teeth play an important role in digestion. If food is not entirely chewed in the mouth, it would be difficult for the stomach to dissolve. The work of stomach slows down. In the long run, the stomach will become unhealthy.

Stomach problems are not severe. But parents are not suggested to give children any medicine without the advice of doctors. Though some medicine can eliminate discomfort, it may hurt the mucous membranes of the stomach. For example, common antibiotics and antipyretics, such as penicillin, are safe for adults. But they would bring some damages to the stomach of children. Some parents even treat the little stomach as a lab. They change medicine for their children from time to time. Doctors suggest parents to choose medicine without many side effects. If parents can not make sure, please turn to doctors for help.