When a child suffers from constipation it can be a miserable experience. Not only will it hurt the child with the pain he or she is experiencing but it will hurt you just seeing them in pain.
What is constipation? It is a condition in which there is an improper movement of the bowels. When a child is able to pass a movement, the stool is typically dry and hard. In a normal movement is generally soft and there is no pain when taking a poop.
When a child is having constipation, they find it not only difficult to go but feel the urge and still cannot relieve him or herself once at the potty.
From when the food is eaten and to when it becomes a product of waste, your digestive system is in charge. When you eat food or drink any fluids all this gets to the stomach thanks to your food pipe. Once the stomach acid takes care of the food, it is then passed on to the smaller intestines and then on to the large intestine... these are known as bowels.
In the last stage of the digestive system, the food which is now considered waste will sufficiently be passed through the anus.
While the digestive process is going on, the nutrients and water will be absorbed by the body and what ever is leftover is considered waste.
Do not believe it when people tell you that not going to the restroom to pass poop everyday is considered constipation. Everyone is different and so are their habits. Should you be concerned about a person's bowel movements, make sure you know about that individual.
For children suffering from constipation, they often feel full and usually a bit uncomfortable. Their belly may seem stretched. When the child makes the effort to pass the stool, the experience can be a painful one. Once able to pass the poop, they often time feel like they need to do it several more times.
When hard poop is passed, it often times cause little tears around the anus and can have blood on the toilet paper. Children should tell their parents about the blood immediately so there can be a remedy at once.
Some kids can suffer from a worse condition that when the hard stool is passed, there is also a watery stool much like diarrhea. Mucus is also passed with hard stool in this condition.
Why Does Constipation Happen?
Constipation is becoming more prevalent due to inadequate diets that many people are following. Fast food, fattening foods, starches and sugars are all leading to constipation. This type of lifestyle leaves little room for the fiber people need. Parents need to reinforce healthy eating habits such as leafy green vegetables and fruits. Not only these but also whole grains and plenty of water or fluid intake. No sugary drinks.
The fluids allow for the stool to soften and be easier to pass. Not enough of this can lead to constipation. Getting an a fair amount of fiber ensures a person is able to pass stools regularly.
Why Are Children More Prone to Constipation?
With the technological age, children are constantly less active. They are playing video games and eating junk food more often than going outside to play and eating right. Children, who are ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are also prescribed medications that can cause constipation. These are not the only culprits but these children are more at risk to getting constipated.
One more culprit to constipation: Stress. This should be avoided whenever possible.
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