Constipation usually means difficulty passing stool; decreased frequency in opening the intestines or passing hard, dry stools. Constipation is a common childhood problem.
Signs that a child may have constipation include:
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bread and effort when going to the bathroom. A hard stool can tear the lining of the anus, causing more pain and bleeding.
- diarrhea or dirt. When the intestine is obstructed, as in constipation, the body attempts to evacuate the intestine by running a runny nose and running around the blocked area. The child may have marks on the underwear or get dirty when doing physical exercise. Constipation can also lead to a lack of sensitivity in the muscle of the anus itself, so that the sensation of needing to go to the bathroom is lost.
- stomach or abdominal aches and pains.
- other problems such as headaches, skin problems, lack of concentration, muscle aches, bad breath and tiredness. All of them are associated with the reabsorption of toxins from the intestine and their permanence in the general circulation.
What are the causes of constipation?
The most common cause of constipation is a diet high in processed foods and low in fiber. However, these are not the only causes. Other causes include the following.
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Not drinking enough fluids.
- Allergies or food intolerances. Allergies are often associated with grains and dairy products.
- Eating too many wheat-based products, such as bread and pasta.
- An imbalance in gastrointestinal bacteria. A recent course of antibiotics or a diet with a lot of processed foods and sugars can lead to an imbalance of the intestinal flora.
- Children who are too involved in what they are doing sometimes ignore the urge to go to the bathroom and allow the movement to become dry and difficult to pass.
- Iron sulfate is added to some foods like rice cereals, formulas, and drinks like Milo. In children who are sensitive to this, it can lead to constipation.
- Stress and anxiety. Like adults, children’s digestive tracts contract during stress. This can cause your bowel movement to pass too quickly (causing diarrhea) or too slowly, causing too much fluid to be absorbed, leading to constipation.
- Insufficient exercise. Exercise is needed to activate the muscles of the digestive tract and move waste material through the intestines.
What can you do with constipation?
You need to treat the existing problem, that is, clear the intestine of hard bowel movements, and then work to prevent the situation from reoccurring. What you can do:
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Massage to stimulate movement through the large intestine. Have the child lie on his back with his knees raised. With warm hands, apply gentle pressure. Start from the lower right side of the abdomen, work your way up to the ribcage, then across the stomach and down the left side. This is roughly the direction of the bowel and is useful for stimulating the muscles to move hard stools.
- Use juices to help the intestines. Juices can include plum, apple, and lemon. Spinach, watercress, and dandelion leaves can be added to smoother juices like carrot, cucumber, beetroot, and celery. These can be used in small amounts or diluted.
- Increase the consumption of foods rich in fiber. These include vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds and at the same time reduce the intake of sweets, chocolate, cakes, bread and white rice. Don’t overdo the nuts though, as this can cause constipation.
- Eat at a regular time so that the bowel can get into the habit of moving at certain times.
- Increase the amount of water your child drinks. Children need to drink 6 to 8 glasses a day. Using milk, soda, and soft drinks can cause more problems, so use filtered water and fresh natural juices as much as possible.
- Encourage lots of physical activity.
- Increase the number of friendly bacteria in the bowl by using probiotics.
- Remind children to go to the bathroom.
- Change the child’s position when going to the bathroom. Place a small stool in front of the toilet so they can have their feet on it and this will raise their knees and change the angle of their hips. This will put the child in a position that requires less pushing. The squatting position is the ideal position for all humans when defecating.
- Eat plenty of magnesium-rich foods. Magnesium is important for muscle contraction and a magnesium deficiency can cause constipation. Foods rich in magnesium include nuts, whole grains, and beans.
- Add some psyllium seeds to the diet. For children who are prone to constipation, a daily supply of psyllium seeds can help. This is a fiber that helps regulate the activity of the intestine. When mixed with water or diluted juices, they can create larger, softer stools. In order to work effectively, the seeds need to absorb water, so the child should drink plenty of fluids. The dose for children from 3 years is 1 teaspoon twice a day added to the diluted juice.
- Talk to your child about any problems or stresses they may be having. Expressing concerns and receiving reassurance can greatly reduce the stress that can cause or contribute to constipation.
You will need to see a health professional if the constipation is difficult to relieve, if it is associated with a lot of pain or blood, or if the child is doing all the right things and the problem persists. Your healthcare professional will consider the possibility of allergic problems and should explore this further.
References
Brewin, L. 2002, Natural Health for Children. ABC books.
Hoffmann, D. 2000, The new holistic herbal. Publication Element.
Romm, A. 2000, Naturally healthy babies and children. floor books.
Smith, L., Walker, L., and Brown, E. 2002, Pharmacy of nature for children. three rivers press