Causes of Constipation in Children<\/p>\n
\tThere are many different causes of constipation in children. It can be difficult to find just one obvious reason.
\n \tMost children have what\\’s known as functional constipation. This means that there\\’s no underlying physical cause. Their bowel should work properly, but for some reason they\u2019ve become constipated.
\n \tWhen children don\u2019t drink enough or have a well-balanced diet their poo can become hard to pass.
\n \tAn illness such as a stomach bug can cause dehydration and some medications can be constipating.
\n \tChildren with additional needs such as autism or a learning disability are more likely to have tummy problems and become constipated.
\n \tA change in routine such as starting potty training, starting school or feeling worried about something. When children feel anxious it can be hard for them to relax on the potty or toilet.<\/p>\n
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Symptoms of Constipation<\/p>\n
\tDoing fewer than 4 poos in a week. Ideally, children should pass some soft poo every day, or at least every other day.
\n \tPooing more than 3 times a day. This can show that their bowel is full, and poo is leaking out a bit at a time\u00a0(soiling).\u00a0It might be hard bits of poo, soft or even liquid poo called overflow.
\n \tPoo that looks like little pellets or rabbit droppings.
\n \tBig poos, or lots of poo all at once.
\n \tPain when they poo and needing to strain. There may even be some bleeding when they poo or afterwards. Hard, large poos can cause an\u00a0\u2018anal fissure\u2019\u00a0or small tear in the bottom.
\n \tHaving a swollen, painful tummy. They might not feel like eating, or even feel sick.
\n \tSmelly poo, wind, and bad breath.
\n \tBladder problems such as doing lots of small wees, needing to wee urgently, bedwetting and urinary tract infections.
\n \tDifficulty with potty training including children\u00a0who refuse to poo unless they are wearing a nappy.<\/p>\n
How to Treat Constipation<\/p>\n
\tThe best way to get rid of constipation is to treat it as early as possible. The longer it\\’s left, the harder it will be to treat.
\n \tUse a\u00a0poo diary to keep track of their bowel habits for a few days.\u00a0 Record what their poo looks like using the Poo Checker, how often they\\’re going and if they\\’re in any pain.
\n \tBook an appointment for your child to be seen by your GP. Take the poo diary with you.
\n \tThe doctor should\u00a0examine your child and check to make sure the constipation hasn\u2019t been caused by an underlying condition.
\n \tIf your GP diagnoses your child with constipation, they prescribe medicine ( laxatives)
\n \tConstipation is not a problem that can be helped by a change in diet only, or waiting for your child to \u2018grow out of it.\u2019<\/p>\n
Using Laxatives to Treat Constipation<\/p>\n
\tLaxatives are the recommended treatment for constipation relief in children.
\n \tMedication like Movicol, Laxido or CosmoCol should be prescribed to soften their poo and help move it along.
\n \tThese laxatives need to be given correctly for them to work properly.
\n \tOverflow soiling may get worse before it gets better. There is no magic wand for treating\u00a0 constipation. It takes patience and hard work.
\n \tMost children start with disimpaction \u2013 this means having increasing amounts of laxatives to clear out the backlog of poo.
\n \tYounger children and babies can also be treated with laxatives if your doctor thinks they are needed.
\n \tSome children may need to take laxatives for a long time to keep their poo soft and regular. You might feel worried about this, but you needn\u2019t be. Undertreating constipation does more harm to the bowel in the long term.<\/p>\n
How can I prevent my Child from becoming Constipated?<\/p>\n
\tMake sure they have at least 6-8 water based drinks every day
\n \tInclude fruit and vegetables in their diet
\n \tEncourage them to follow a regular toilet routine: sitting on the toilet or potty after every meal and using a footstool to support their feet
\n \tGive them plenty of opportunities to exercise and move around
\n \tDon\u2019t stop giving laxatives too early<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"