Constipation in children
Constipation is a common problem in children At such a time, the child has longer defecation intervals and hardened, dry stools
Various factors are responsible for the development of constipation The most common causes are early habituation to the toilet and changes in diet Fortunately, periods of constipation in children are mostly temporary
Adding fiber-rich fruits and vegetables or more fluids to your child's diet may be enough to help with constipation. If your child's doctor agrees, sometimes constipation is also treated with stool thinners
Constipation most often occurs when stool moves too slowly through the digestive system, making it hard and dry.
Many factors contribute to the development of constipation in children:
- Self-restraint A child may ignore the urge to defecate because he is afraid of the process or does not want to stop playing. Some children stay away from home because they don't want to use communal toilets Painful defecation is caused by large, hardened stools, which can also cause retention If the child is in pain during defecation, he will try to avoid this stressful moment
- Premature habituation to the toilet If you start the habit of going to the toilet on your own too soon, the child may hold the stool in protest. At such times, a conscious decision to hold back may turn into an involuntary act, and the child may have difficulty defecating.
- Changes in the diet Not enough fiber-rich fruits and vegetables or liquids can cause constipation Constipation often starts when you switch your baby from a solid diet to solid food
- Routine changes Changes in a child's daily routine, such as travel, weather or stress, affect bowel function Children are often constipated when they first go to school or leave home
- Medications Certain antidepressants and other drugs cause constipation
- Allergy to cow's milk An allergy to cow's milk or consuming too much dairy products sometimes causes constipation
Family history Children whose family members suffer from the problem of constipation are more likely to face the same problem This may be due to shared genetic or environmental factors
Other diseases Rarely, constipation in children indicates an anatomical malformation, a metabolic or digestive problem, or some other disease.
Signs and symptoms of constipation in children include:
- Less than 3 bowel movements per week
- Hard, dry stools, difficult defecation
- Pain during defecation
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling nauseous
- Fluid or clay-like spots in the baby You may notice that the child crosses his legs, stretches his buttocks, changes his body position or makes certain facial expressions.
When to consult a doctor Constipation in children is mostly harmless, however, chronic constipation can become complicated or be a sign of another disease. Take your child to the doctor if constipation lasts more than 2 weeks or is accompanied by:
- fever
- vomiting
- bloody stools
- abdominal bloating
- weight loss
- painful lesions around the anus
