Constipation in Children

Constipation in children is quite a challenge to deal with, unlike in case of adults. This is due to the fact that often, kids are not able to express what they are going through, and this very fact might make the problem worse. When a child contracts constipation, he/she would have infrequent bowel movements which may also mean going without a bowel movement for four or more days, passing hard stools or experiencing strain during bowel movements. Also passing fewer than three stools a week, also indicates the onset of this digestive problem. There could be several reasons behind your child being afflicted by this condition. These may include a diet low in fiber, drinking too much milk, poor intake of water or delaying the need to go to the bathroom. Other causes which may be common in children and in adults as well include lack of physical activity, vomiting, diarrhea, medical conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), stroke, diabetes, thyroid disease, etc.

Treatment Options for Constipation in Children

Bringing about some changes in the diet, is probably the best remedy for constipation in children; considering the fact that using any over-the-counter laxative may be too harsh on their bodies. So, to start off with the remedy, the first step to be taken by parents is to take a note of all the junk foods their children are into. Such foods are highly processed and lack nutrition, including fiber. So, what you have to do is to cut down the intake, as soon as possible. Then comes the point where parents must replace their children's diet with fiber rich foods like whole grains and bran, etc.

Children must be encouraged and also educated about the importance of eating fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, apricots, and vegetables such as carrots, peas, squash and green beans. This can also be one of the smartest ways of treating children suffering from a chronic case of constipation. In some cases, children might not enjoy munching on to the fruits. So, what can parents do is provide them with juices as an alternative. Know that diluted apple and prune juice are known to be the best constipation remedies.

As mentioned earlier, dehydration can also cause constipation in adults and children. So patients must be encouraged to drink plenty of water, not only when they are ailing, but all the time as well. Parents must keep a check on the urine color of their children, especially when they have constipation. If the color is yellow, then this is indicative of the fact that they aren't drinking enough water.

As kids, it is certain that they may ignore the signs of a bowel movement, and this might further aggravate the bowel problem. So what parents can do is to fix a schedule to the bathroom every couple of hours. This would prevent delaying the need of going to the bathroom thus, treating the condition and also preventing it as well.

As lack of activity has been specified as one of the contributing factors of severe constipation, dealing with this cause would also provide a great deal of help in the recovery. Let your children engage in outdoor activities for an extra 30 minutes or probably for an hour everyday. Sometime, you can also join them for a walk or a jog in the park or even a fun filled dance. Such activities would not only improve the digestive system, but prevent ailments such as constipation.

So, these are some measures that can be taken at home to manage the constipation symptoms in children. However, if the stool is bloody and there are other symptoms like vomiting, fever, along with the ones of constipation, then without further continuing with all these remedies, it is best to consult a pediatrician.