As a parent, there is nothing worse than seeing your kid in pain. And while there are countless remedies for colds, coughs and sore throats, when it comes to a tummy ache, we often times come up with the old standby of tea and toast and call it a day.
As any parent knows, stomach aches are a common childhood ailment. But for approximately 10-20% of school age kids, stomach aches are chronic and often affect their ability to participate in daily activities. This condition, termed Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP), isn’t caused by any disease or disorder. It is one of more than 60 types of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) which also include irritable bowel syndrome, infant colic, chronic nausea, etc.
Because it has no clearly identifiable cause, FAP is often subject to misconceptions within the medical community, making it difficult to manage. It can cause anxiety for parents and children alike, as well as frustration for healthcare professionals looking for a diagnosis and treatment options. Traditionally, recommended treatments have included avoidance of spicy foods, acid-suppressing medicines, and even antidepressants.
Now, a new study has found that one particular probiotic strain, Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis (L. reuteri Protectis), was clinically proven to have a significant impact on symptoms of FAP. In the study, 60 children, ages 6-16, who were classified as having FAP, received either L. reuteri Protectis or a placebo for four weeks. The children receiving the L. reuteri Protectis supplement reported significantly lower pain intensity compared to those receiving the placebo.
L. reuteri Protectis, developed by Swedish-based BioGaia, is easy to administer. Created with kids’ taste buds in mind, BioGaia Probiotic Chewable Tablets have a mild citrus flavor and come in packages of 30. They’re available nationally at leading online merchants as well as select retail pharmacies.
To find out more about the benefits of L. reuteri Protectis, visit BioGaia.
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