A person who is unable to clear the bowels properly is said to be suffering from constipation. This is common among the adults as well as the children. Constipation in children is quite serious as the child suffers a lot due to constipation. Sometimes constipation is related to diarrhoea. When a child suffers from constipation he/she finds it difficult to pass the faeces as it becomes too hard. The child experiences a lot of pain while passing the faeces and might often be reluctant to pass the faeces.
Constipation in children is a cause of concern among the parents. While passing the hard stool the lining of the anal canal might develop rupture. Along with the faeces sometimes blood also passes. The passing of blood indicates tearing of the anal canal. Many children suffer from diarrhoea after constipation.
Children are unable to control their bowel as they full of faeces due to constipation. Sometimes they lose control over the bowel and unintentionally pass the stools. This uncontrollable passing of faeces is known as diarrhoea. No one knows the exact reason behind constipation. Parents should keep a check on the bowel habits of the children to prevent this malaise.
There are many children who do not experience uneasiness in their stomach even after failing to pass the faeces for more that two days. This is when the parents should notice whether the child is suffering from constipation. Any change in the bowel habits can lead to constipation in children. There are many children who do not experience uneasiness even after not passing faeces for more than two days. However their body system might be quiet adjusted to it and it may not be a case of constipation.
Causes of Constipation In Children
There are many causes that generally might lead to constipation. Dehydration often leads to constipation in children. The rupture in the anal canal develops fear in the mind of the child and therefore he/she refuses to pass faeces. The rupture causes immense pain and loss of blood. It causes mental stress in the mind of the child and sometimes the child is frightened of opening the bowels.
Due to severe infection constipation leads to diarrhoea. Improper food habits also lead to constipation. Though constipation is quite a common problem people tend to take the case of constipation very lightly. But this ailment should not be treated lightly as the parent should realise that the child is undergoing a lot of physical discomfort due to this malaise.
Constipation In Children Symptoms
The children who suffer from constipation do not have the habit of passing of stool. This irregularity often leads to constipation. Sometimes the stool is so hard that apart from tearing the skin of the anal canal it clogs the toilet. People face difficulty in movement of the bowel. After every meal they have a feeling that their stomach is bloated. General discomfort is felt regularly.
The child often refuses to go to the toilet in fear of pain. They mostly hold back the stool, which only aggravates the condition. Poor appetite, cramps, vomiting is the common symptoms of constipation. Children suffering from constipation have the tendency of bed-wetting. It can also lead to the infection of the urinary tract. The normal flow of the urine is also affected in children who suffer from constipation and they might often not be willing to urinate.
Treatments of Constipation In Children
If the constipation in children is of a mild level then it can be treated with home remedies. The daily dose of fibre and fluid should be increased. Regular diet should consist of enough dose of fibre so that the child does not suffer from constipation.
Older children can be given a carbohydrate rich dietHowever if changing the diet does not prove very helpful then the advice of the doctor should be taken without delay. In cases of infants consulting the doctor is a must. If the child suffers from constipation and diarrhoea regularly it indicates presence of some other illness and one needs to refer to a gastroenterologists.