There are a few tell-tale signs that a child is suffering from constipation.
Unfinished Business on the Toilet
Apart from the obvious discomfort, they will have problems moving their bowels on a regular basis. They will struggle to pass a stool when they go to the toilet, and after going to the toilet they may have a sensation of incomplete evacuation. Call it unfinished business.
Underlying Cause or Functional Constipation?
When there is no underlying pathology, like a parasite infection or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or a structural problem such as a narrowing of the bowel, this is what we call ‘functional constipation’.
Apart from the signs listed above, kids will often provide you with some excellent clues that they are constipated.
It is common to hear children mention their symptoms:
- They have recurring tummy pains, intestinal bloating and excessive wind or flatulence
- They will often avoid going to the toilet because it hurts too much to pass a stool
- In some cases, there can be faecal leakage and soiling of their underwear
Long-term problems can get relief
Some kids experience long-running problems with constipation which may have begun when they were babies, while others are prone to sluggish bowels when they are not eating their usual diet.
Whatever the situation you are contending with, the good news is that there are lots of effective ways to tackle constipation in children.
Read about 10 possible natural health cures for constipation here…
Susan Hunter, B.HSc (Naturopathy), BA (Psych)
Susan Hunter is a clinical naturopath practising in the bayside suburb of Hampton in Melbourne. Susan’s special interest area in clinical practice is kids, digestive and mental health. She has contributed chapters for textbooks, written research papers for academic journals and been published in the national mainstream media.
REFERENCES
Mearin, F., Ciriza, C., Mínguez, M., Rey, E., Mascort, J.J., Peña, E., Cañones, P. and Júdez, J., 2017. Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and functional constipation in adults: Treatment (Part 2 of 2). Semergen.
Mearin, F., Ciriza, C., Mínguez, M., Rey, E., Mascort, J.J., Peña, E., Cañones, P. and Júdez, J., 2017. Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and functional constipation in adults: Treatment (Part 2 of 2). Semergen.
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Dimidi, E., Christodoulides, S., Fragkos, K.C., Scott, S.M. and Whelan, K., 2014. The effect of probiotics on functional constipation in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 100(4), pp.1075-1084.
Simmen, U., Kelber, O., Okpanyi, S.N., Jaeggi, R., Bueter, B. and Weiser, D., 2006. Binding of STW 5 (Iberogast®) and its components to intestinal 5-HT, muscarinic M 3, and opioid receptors. Phytomedicine, 13, pp.51-55.
