Constipation is a very common problem in children. Triggering factors like low fiber diet, change in regular diet, withholding the bowel movement, certain medications etc. cause constipation in children. Many of us still neglect children’s constipation with aperception that it does not cause any harm to the children. However, it is not true. If we neglect this condition frequently, then it will occur as a chronic constipation, resulting in other health issues.
A proper care is necessary if you find your child is suffering from constipation. You might have found your child coming out of the bathroom in tears, saying, “Mommy, it hurts when I poop.”A child finds it difficult to deal with constipation problem. It affects his day-to-day life and should be treated with urgency. To treat constipation, it is important to find out the underlying causes of constipation.
Let’s have a look at the following underlying causes of constipation in Children.
Constipation in Children: Causes and Management
1. Low fiber diet :
Fiber softens the stool and helps in its smooth movement through the intestine. Less fiber in diet cause constipation in children. Fiber along with sufficient water intake is necessary for the kids to maintain a regular bowel movement. A child’s diet should be healthy, containing fruits, water, fiber-rich food etc.
2. Controlling the urge to pass stool :
This means the child controls the urge to pass stool, trying to ignore the desire to empty the bowels. This is very common. You may see your child doing some awkward things to resist the feeling of bathroom. It may lead to constipation altering the regular bowel movement.
3. Emotional problems :
Due to change in surroundings or routine and family situations, Constipation problems becomes worse in stressful situation. Fears and phobias are another underlying reasons to cause constipation in children. Try to manage their emotions if you want to relieve from their constipation problem.
4. Irritable bowel syndrome :
In Children, irritable bowel syndrome causes constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome may display symptoms which also indicate other GI tract disorders. Although everyone enjoys the taste of healthy food during childhood, some sugary candies and dairy products, sweets kids more than any other food. Frequent intake of such types of food cause constipation in many children.
5. Dietary habits :
Dietary habits play an important role in body metabolism. A change in regular diet may also trigger constipation as the body needs to adjust to the new foods that it gets. Children like sugar and sugary candies very much. Eating enough sugar can cause constipation.
Simple Tips to Prevent Constipation in Children
1. Healthy bowel habits :
Maintaining a regular toilet time can help to prevent constipation in children. This will also work. If your child is already constipated, this will work. Maintenance of a regular routine is not only helpful for study, a daily routine for healthy habits is also helpful to enjoy a disease-free life.
2. Exercise :
Doing exercise helps to keep the body moving and loosen the tight muscles in the abdomen. Therefore, help your child to develop a habit of doing regular exercise to keep him healthy. Therefore, exercise is also important along with good food.
3. Water intake :
A common habit of children is to skip drinking and eating in between play is the common habits of every child. As a result, they become dehydrated and various stomach related problem like constipation, abdominal pain occurs. That is why sufficient water intake is necessary for the children.
4. Fiber-rich food :
Ensure that your child eats fruits and vegetables that have high fiber content. Try to replace chips and other unhealthy snacks with raisins or dried fruit. Prepare food for them which contain lots of vegetable. Switching to some habit like eating fruit salad, veggies instead of fried and unhealthy snacks help them to get relief from constipation.
These tips will really help your child to reduce constipation problem. Once your child has regular, soft, formed stools, he or she will confident enough that he or she can have a bowel movement without pain. Children constipation is not an easy matter. Our ignorance may cause a serious health condition. Therefore, we all should aware of it to make our child happy and healthy. Some healthy habits can change everyone’s life.
“Kids deserve to be Happy, Healthy & Safe”
Hope you liked this blog. If you have any suggestion and opinion regarding the management of constipation in children, you can share it in our comment section below.
