Treatment FAQ

what is best treatment for pediatric constipation

by Carolanne Hettinger Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Depending on the circumstances, your child's doctor may recommend: Over-the-counter fiber supplements or stool softeners. If your child doesn't get a lot of fiber in his or her diet, adding an over-the-counter fiber supplement, such as Metamucil or Citrucel, might help.Sep 18, 2021

Top10homeremedies.com

1. Lemons...the flavonoids present in lemon oil stimulate the digestive system...

2. Figs...are very high in fiber...

3. Castor oil...stimulates the small and large intestines...

4. Honey...acts as a mild laxative...

5. Flaxseeds...

6. Prunes...

7. Magnesium...

8. Spinach...

Learn More...

Medicalnewstoday.com

1. Drink More Water...

2. Eat more fiber, especially soluble, non-fermentable fiber...

3. Exercise more...

4. Drink coffee, especially caffeinated coffee...

5. Take Senna, an herbal laxative...

6. Eat probiotic food...

7. Over the counter or prescription laxatives...

Learn More...

Healthline.com

1. Take a fiber supplement...

2. Eat a serving of high-fiber food...

3. Drink a glass of water...

4. Take a laxative stimulant...

5. Take an osmotic...

6. Try a lubricant laxative...

7. Use a stool softener...

8. Try an enema...

Learn More...

What is the best way to help your child with constipation?

Foods Helpful for Toddler Constipation Drink more water (no sugary beverages) Coconut Oil (use the code STEWARDSHIP to get 10% off) l (add 1-2 tsp. ... Eat real fruits and vegetables (pears, peaches, blueberries, kiwi, dandelion greens, chickweed, real sourdough, kefir, pineapple) More items...

What to do if your child is constipated?

What to Do If Your Child Is Constipated

  • Know the Signs. Your child attempts to hold in their stool -- signs include making faces, crossing their legs, or twisting their body.
  • Causes. There are many things that can cause your child to become constipated. ...
  • Remedies to Try at Home. Make sure your child is getting enough fluids. ...
  • When to See the Doctor. ...

What is the best remedy for constipation in babies?

  • Water. If your baby is over 6 months old ( the age from when it’s OK for him to drink water ), offer him a little water in a sippy ...
  • Fruit juice. A few ounces of 100 percent fruit juice such as apple, pear, or prune juice can also help your baby. ...
  • Certain fruits and vegetables. ...
  • Infant cereals. ...

When to worry about constipation in children?

Constipation in children is a common problem. A constipated child has infrequent bowel movements or hard, dry stools. Common causes include early toilet training and changes in diet. Fortunately, most cases of constipation in children are temporary. Encouraging your child to make simple dietary changes — such as eating more fiber-rich fruits ...

image

How to help a child with constipation?

In addition to changes in diet and routine, various alternative approaches may help relieve constipation in children: Massage. Gently massaging your child's abdomen may relax the muscles that support the bladder and intestines, helping to promote bowel activity. Acupuncture.

What to do if your child is constipated?

There are several things you can do that might help relieve your child's constipation before your doctor's appointment, for example: Give your child prune juice. Prune juice can be mixed with other juices (such as apple juice) if your child doesn't like the taste.

What to do if your child doesn't get enough fiber?

If your child doesn't get a lot of fiber in his or her diet, adding an over-the-counter fiber supplement, such as Metamucil or Citrucel, might help.

How long does constipation last in children?

If your child's constipation lasts longer than two weeks, you'll likely first seek medical care from your child's doctor. If necessary, your child may be referred to a specialist in digestive disorders (gastroenterologist).

What test is used to check for constipation in a child?

More-extensive testing is usually reserved for only the most severe cases of constipation. If necessary, these tests may include: Abdominal X-ray. This standard X-ray test allows your child's doctor to see if there are any blockages in your child's abdomen.

How much water should a child drink to take glycerin?

However, your child needs to drink at least 32 ounces (about 1 liter) of water daily for these products to work well. Check with your child's doctor to find out the right dose for your child's age and weight. Glycerin suppositories can be used to soften the stool in children who can't swallow pills.

What to ask a child's doctor about their health?

Your child's doctor will: Gather a complete medical history. Your child's doctor will ask you about your child's past illnesses. He or she will also likely ask you about your child's diet and physical activity patterns. Conduct a physical exam. Your child's physical exam will likely include placing a gloved finger into your child's anus ...

How to treat constipation?

The treatment of chronic constipation involves clearing the bowel of the large amount of hard stool, preventing the return of constipation, and teaching normal bowel habits. This may involve medications in addition to changes in diet and toileting behavior. Click here to begin.

Why does my child's bowel feel stretched out?

When a child has not pooped for several days, stool collects in the lower bowel (rectum). This causes the bowel wall to become stretched out. This feeling of the bowel being stretched is what normally makes us realize we have to go to the bathroom.

What is it called when you have a hard bowel movement?

Sometimes it can also lead to soiling of the underwear, something called encopresis.

Can a child have constipation?

So if there isn't a clear explanation for your child's constipation, if your child is having other symptoms such as frequent abdominal pain, fever, low energy, or vomiting -- or if the constipation has been going on for a long period of time ...

How to treat constipation in children?

There are three primary treatments for most cases of constipation, and they usually work hand-in-hand. A high-fiber diet with plenty of fluids. This means loading your child’s plate with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, high-fiber cereals, whole grain breads (look for at least 3-5 grams of fiber per serving), ...

Why does my child poop when he is constipated?

When a child is constipated, they have less frequent bowel movements, and when they do “go,” their stool is dry, hard, and painful to pass. There are many possible causes for constipation, including: Withholding stool.

What are some good foods for kids to eat?

Two good sources of fiber that kids are often happy to eat are trail mix (let them make their own) and popcorn with minimal salt or butter. Foods containing probiotics, like yogurt, can also promote good digestive health. While focusing on fiber, don't forget fluids.

Is it safe to give a child a stool softener?

A stool softener to clear the bowels. These are typically safe in children. Two common mistakes that parents make when giving their child a stool softener for constipation is not using a large enough dose, or stopping it too soon.

How to help a child with constipation?

Having your child get more exercise can also help with constipation. Exercise helps with digestion. It helps the normal movements the intestines make to push food forward as it is digested. People who don’t move around much are often constipated. Have your child go outside and play rather than watch TV or do other indoor activities.

What is constipation in children?

What is constipation? Constipation is when a child has very hard stools, and has fewer bowel movements than he or she normally does. It is a very common GI (gastrointestinal) problem. Signs that a child has constipation include: Having fewer bowel movements than normal. Constipation is often defined as having fewer than 3 bowel movements a week.

Why does stool get hard?

Stool gets hard and dry when the large intestine (colon) takes in (absorbs) too much water. Normally, as food moves through the colon, the colon absorbs water while it makes stool. Muscle movements (contractions) push the stool toward the rectum. When the stool gets to the rectum, most of the water has been soaked up.

How many bowel movements does a child have in a week?

Constipation is often defined as having fewer than 3 bowel movements a week. The number of bowel movements may be different for each child. But a change in what is normal for your child may mean there is a problem. Passing stool that is hard and sometimes large. Having bowel movements that are difficult or painful to push out.

Why do kids forget to go to the bathroom?

Busy children. Some children don’t pay attention to signals that their body gives them to have a bowel movement. This can happen when children are too busy playing. They forget to go to the bathroom. Constipation can also be a problem when starting a new school year.

Why do toddlers hold in their bowel movements?

Children may then hold in their bowel movements, causing constipation. Going through toilet training. This can be a difficult time for many toddlers. Having power struggles with parents. Toddlers may hold in their bowel movements on purpose. Feeling stressed because of school, friends, or family.

Why does my child's stool move through the colon?

The stool is now solid. If your child has constipation, the colon's muscle movements are too slow. This makes the stool move through the colon too slowly. The colon absorbs too much water.

How to treat a child with bowel pain?

Establish regular bowel movements. Eliminate the pain associated with passing bowel movements. Early on, constipation can often be treated by changing a child’s diet. But once the constipation becomes chronic, laxatives are usually needed to re-establish regular bowel movements and eliminate the pain associated with passing bowel movements.

What is the best suppositories for diarrhea?

Commonly used suppositories include: Glycerine. Dulcolax®. BabyLax®. Powerful Laxatives “flush out” the lower intestine. This generally keeps lots of water in the intestine, softening any stool there, and causing diarrhea. Laxatives commonly used to flush out the intestine include: Magnesium citrate. Golytely® or Colyte®.

Why do pediatricians use biofeedback?

Some pediatric centers offer biofeedback therapy as a way to improve the muscle coordination associated with passing bowel movements. Remember, many children with chronic constipation have become quite incoordinated and use muscles against one another when they try to pass bowel movements.

How long should a child sit on the toilet?

Establish regular “bathroom times”. Children who are toilet trained should get in the habit of sitting on the toilet for 5-10 minutes after breakfast and again after supper. Many families have very busy schedules and their children are not in the habit of “making time” to pass bowel movements.

How long does laxative therapy last?

In general, we must treat younger children for longer periods of time than older children. Children 5-6 years of age and older: 3-4 months of continuous laxative therapy is usually sufficient to reverse many of the problems described above.

Does soap help with enema?

The soap is mildly irritating and stimulates the lower intestine to secrete water and salt. Milk and Molasses: contain milk sugars and proteins as well as molasses. None of these are absorbed in the lower intestine and thus keep the water from the enema in the intestine.

Can prunes be used as laxatives?

But it is often difficult to eat or drink enough of these foods day-in and day-out to be an effective long-term treatment. Many people are familiar with using prunes as laxatives.

How to manage constipation?

To manage constipation, daily cleaning of the colon with an enema is used . If the rectosigmoid has been preserved, as is the case with a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP), the patient often experiences varying degrees of constipation and the inability to empty the colon completely in a single bowel movement.

What is the protocol of treatment for functional constipation?

Trial of medical management. The protocol of treatment in patients with severe forms of functional constipation includes a trial of medical management (stimulant laxatives). If patients do not respond to this treatment, then a specific type of operation may be needed.

How many enemas per day for disimpaction?

Disimpaction. When patients come for consultation, they are usually impacted. Treatment includes the administration of three enemas per day to disimpact (see the images below) or, sometimes, a bowel preparation with a balanced electrolyte solution; in some cases, both are required.

What is colonic manometry?

Colonic manometry, along with an assessment of the patient's clinical condition, is used to determine surgical treatment. In patients with failure to thrive, usually seen with diffuse colonic dysmotility, a temporizing ileostomy may be of benefit.

How long should a child sit on the toilet?

The child sits on the toilet for 30-45 minutes, usually in the evening. Saline enemas are used with the addition of glycerin or soap (which are colonic stimulants). An enema that is correctly administered on a daily basis should result in a bowel movement followed by a period of 24 hours of complete cleanliness.

What are the two procedures for bowel management?

The two procedures described for bowel management are colonic resection and access for antegrade enemas. Before surgery is considered, a full motility evaluation is indicated (colonic and anorectal manometry) in patients with functional constipation who have failed medical management.

Why does my rectosigmoid have loose stool?

If the rectosigmoid was resected, as it would have been in an abdominoperineal procedure or an endorectal dissection (a procedure some surgeons in the past used to repair imperforate anus), the patient has loose stool (ie, fast motility) as a consequence of the loss of the section of the colon most responsible for water absorption, and thus continuously passes stool. These patients are also very sensitive to foods that provoke liquid stools.

image

Diagnosis

  • Your child's doctor will: 1. Gather a complete medical history.Your child's doctor will ask you about your child's past illnesses. He or she will also likely ask you about your child's diet and physical activity patterns. 2. Conduct a physical exam.Your child's physical exam will likely include placing a gloved finger into your child's anus to check for abnormalities or the presence of impacted sto…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Treatment

  • Depending on the circumstances, your child's doctor may recommend: 1. Over-the-counter fiber supplements or stool softeners. If your child doesn't get a lot of fiber in his or her diet, adding an over-the-counter fiber supplement, such as Metamucil or Citrucel, might help. However, your child needs to drink at least 32 ounces (about 1 liter) of water daily for these products to work well. C…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Alternative Medicine

  • In addition to changes in diet and routine, various alternative approaches may help relieve constipation in children: 1. Massage.Gently massaging your child's abdomen may relax the muscles that support the bladder and intestines, helping to promote bowel activity. 2. Acupuncture.This traditional Chinese medicine involves the insertion and manipulat...
See more on mayoclinic.org

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • If your child's constipation lasts longer than two weeks, you'll likely first seek medical care from your child's doctor. If necessary, your child may be referred to a specialist in digestive disorders (gastroenterologist). Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get rea…
See more on mayoclinic.org

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9