Stomachache is one of the commonest problems among children, and pinpointing the cause of a toddler's stomachache is often tricky. The key behind accurate detection isn't just focusing on where the pain is, but looking at the other symptoms the child is complaining of.

More often than not, simple tantrums are the culprit behind the sudden stomachaches. If your toddler complains of a stomachache when it's time for school, some stress could be the reason. If the stomachache shoots up just after a sumptuous supper and dessert, it may be nothing more than overeating.

But if the stomachache is accompanied with other symptoms like fever, diarrhea and vomiting, there’s more to watch out for. Here is a list of common causes of stomachache and their symptoms.

• Constipation:
Less frequent bowel movements (especially if none in two or three days); obvious discomfort while passing stool; dry, hard stools; pain may occur on left side of abdomen. Make sure your child gets enough fluids throughout the day. Feed him foods that produce looser stools (like apricots, pears, prunes, and peas) and cut back on those that tend to cause firmer stools (like bananas, apples and applesauce, carrots, rice, and squash). Encourage regular exercising and activity.

• Indigestion:
In children, indigestion can come across as vomiting and diarrhea. Though, this can at times be related to eating certain foods or drinking too much juice, but if accompanied with high grade fever, it points towards stomach flu.

Doctors use the term gastroenteritis or stomach flu to describe any inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Make sure your child is taking enough liquids and watch out for signs of possible dehydration. Contact doctor.

• Intussusception:
Seemingly fine one minute and then writhing in pain the next; vomiting; lethargic; passing stools tinged with blood and mucus. Intussusception is a serious intestinal condition in which a section of the bowel telescopes into the section next to it. This leads to inflammation and swelling that may eventually block or tear the intestine.

• Appendicitis:
Appendicitis is the inflammation and infection of the appendix — a small, hollow, finger-shaped organ that sits at the beginning of the large intestine. Symptoms include: Severe pain in lower right quadrant or middle of abdomen. Loss of appetite, low-grade fever, possible vomiting.

• Milk allergy or lactose intolerance
As a child switches from formula or breast milk to whole cow's milk and begins eating other dairy products such as ice cream and cheese, tummy troubles can be a common problem.

Lactose intolerance happens when a child’s body isn't producing the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the primary sugar in milk. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and rashes.