Constipation is a condition of improper bowel movement. Usually, the child experiences pain and has a hard time passing dry and hard stool. In normal conditions, there is no pain while passing the stool and it has a soft texture. The bowel movement is also regular. A child having constipation not only finds it difficult to pass stool but at times will feel the urge to pass and when he goes to the toilet, he cannot relive himself.
The digestive system is responsible for the intake of food to the smooth passage of waste. The food or fluids are consumed from the mouth, which heads towards the stomach via the food pipe. After the stomach treats the food with acid, it passes on to the small intestines and then to the large intestines, also known as bowels. The final stage of food digestion is the outlet of the waste through the anus and rectum. During the whole process, the body parts absorb nutrients and water from the food supplied to them. The leftover matter comes out as waste.
It is a myth among some people who say that an individual is constipated if he or she doesn’t pass stool on a daily basis. But the truth is that the bathroom habit differs from one individual to other. So if constipation is to be checked the regular pattern of bathroom habits of that particular individual must be checked and the comparisons must not be made with the other.
Other than not passing stool regularly, the child feels full most of the time and is a little uncomfortable. The belly can also feel stretched because of the full feeling. The child makes a great effort to pass and the experience is very painful. Even after passing, the child may feel the urge of passing more stools. Because of the hard stool, it causes small tears in the anus skin and there will be little blood on the toilet paper. The child should immediately tell his parents, who can take care of the situation immediately. Some kids who have a worse condition will pass watery stool, something similar to diarrhea, and mucus along with the hard stool.
Constipation is becoming more and more widespread because of the unhealthy diet pattern followed by most of us today. With the trend of fast food, and other fatty, starchy and sugary foods, children aren’t getting the required amount of fiber, which in turn slows down the bowels. It is the responsibility of the parents to make their children eat fiber-enriched foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Along with eating food rich in fiber, it is also a must to drink enough fluids. Water is the best fluid for this condition. Fluids help to soften the stool and allow smooth passage within the intestine. Insufficient intake of fluids makes the stool dry and hard. Children are becoming more stagnant because of video games, the internet, and television, which are leaving them with little or no time for physical exercise. Exercise helps the food to move through the digestive system. Lesser active playtime and physical activity is also major cause of constipation. Medicines should be avoided and should be taken only when a doctor recommends them.
Stress and anxiety can play havoc on the digestive system. School-going kids are usually stressed out because of the homework, assignments, and exams. An adult can talk the kid out of the stress. Children, who have irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, worsen their condition because of stress. Spicy and fatty foods can also act as triggers, along with stress. Kids having this syndrome might even experience gas and belly pain. Sometimes children avoid going to the bathroom when they feel the need. Usually, unclean restrooms keep children away. But when nature’s call is neglected, it becomes harder to go at a later time. In very rare cases, medical conditions such as lupus, diabetes, and thyroid gland malfunctioning can also lead to constipation.
