Coping With Constipation
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Health Tip of the Week Constipation happens to all of us at some time or another. And it can be a frustrating and painful experience for kids and their caretakers.
Unpleasant as it can be, there are ways to get through an episode of constipation, says Prasanna Kapavarapu, MD, an attending physician with the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Citing evidence-based data, Dr. Kapavarapu answers some common questions about constipation, as well as tips for treating it.
Going a day or two without a bowel movement is usually normal and not cause for alarm, but your child may be constipated if:
While constipation is rarely caused by a major medical issue, kids become constipated for all sorts of reasons. Your child may become constipated if they:
Constipation can also have an emotional cause. For example, stressful transitions or changes in routines — such as starting a new school or issues at home or with friends — can bring on constipation.
You can usually treat constipation at home with high-fiber foods and lots of fluids. Do not use any suppositories, laxatives or enemas without first consulting your child’s doctor or nurse practitioner.
But when deciding on a home treatment for constipation, the child’s age should always be considered.
For children younger than 4 months old, Dr. Kapavarapu suggests this mixture:
For children 4 months to 1 year:
For children 1 year or older:
While home treatments work most of the time, Dr. Kapavarapu says if the situation lingers, contact your child’s physician or nurse practitioner to consider alternatives.
At the same time, be aware of issues that require immediate medical attention. Those emergency situations include when a child:
Contributed by: Prasanna K. Kapavarapu, MD