Children also face constipation, and the causes can be different as in the case of adults. Parents should be careful when their little ones face this problem and know how they can help them.
Fortunately, most cases of constipation in children they are temporary. Encouraging your child to make simple dietary changes—such as eating more fiber-rich fruits and vegetables and drinking more water—can go a long way in alleviating constipation.
What symptoms occur
Signs and symptoms of constipation in children may include: fewer than 3 stools per week, hard, dry, hard-to-pass stools, stomach pain, traces of liquid or pasty stool in the child’s underwear (a sign that the stool is lodged in the rectum), blood on the surface of the hard seat.
When is it serious?
Constipation in children is usually not serious. However, chronic constipation can lead to complications or signal the presence of a disease. The child should be taken to the doctor if the constipation lasts more than 2 weeks or is accompanied by: fever, blood in the stool, swelling of the abdomen, weight loss, pain during bowel movements, part of the intestine coming out of the anus (rectal prolapse) .
Why does it appear?
Constipation occurs when stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract, causing it to become hard and dry. Many factors can contribute to constipation.
– The child may ignore the need to have a bowel movement because he is afraid of the toilet or does not want to take a break from playing. Some children retain the chair if they are away from home because they do not feel comfortable using public or hotel toilets on vacation.
– Painful bowel movements caused by large, hard stools can also lead to retention. If it hurts, the child may try to avoid repeating the experience that causes him discomfort.
– Not eating enough fiber-rich fruits and vegetables or drinking enough fluids.
– Changes in routine. Any changes in the child’s routine, such as travel, hot weather or stress, can affect bowel function. Children are also more prone to constipation when they first start kindergarten.
– Certain medications can contribute to constipation, as can cow’s milk allergy.
– Rarely, constipation in children indicates an anatomical malformation, a problem of the metabolic or digestive system or another condition.
What to do
A high-fiber diet can help your child’s body form a soft, bulky stool. The child needs more fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, cereals and wholemeal bread. If he’s not used to a high-fiber diet, start by adding just a few grams of fiber a day to prevent gas and bloating. The recommended dietary fiber intake is 14 g for every 1,000 calories in the child’s diet.
The child needs to drink plenty of fluids for a soft stool, and water is often the best option. Regular physical activity also helps to stimulate normal bowel function, as does a toilet routine.
If the child is taking a drug that causes constipation, the doctor should offer other options.
See also: Are bananas constipating or not? Here’s what you need to know!
2024-02-11 05:02:59
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