When children become ill, parents worry. Most parents schedule a visit to the pediatrician so that the child can be diagnosed and treated. The more information that a parent can provide, the sooner the physician can determine what is wrong.

Information About Symptoms

The first thing that the pediatrician must know is what's wrong and where does it hurt. If your child is too young - or too bashful - to speak up, tell the doctor. Describe the symptoms and when they began. Be sure to indicate anything that seemed to trigger the symptoms.

Did something seem to help the symptoms or did something else make things worse? If so, this is information that can help the pediatrician make a swift, correct determination.

If pain is one of the symptoms, make certain that the doctor knows where - exactly where - it hurts. Telling the doctor that your child's tummy hurts is vague but pinpointing the exact area of distress is not. What most call "tummy" stretches from the breastbone to the pubic region so be precise. Ask your child to describe the pain if possible. Nausea, cramping, or constant discomfort are all different and can indicate various conditions.