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Constipation in children Do not wait too long!
The stool works only in pain and becomes a tormenting procedure: Five percent of all children between the age of 1 and 5 years suffer from chronic constipation (constipation). The Society for Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Nutrition is a common problem that is underestimated too often. It has been a perennial favorite in every German specialist practice for years. Parents go too late to the specialist and put out of ignorance only on more exercise and drink. "Only an early treatment is successful and prevents a chronification in adulthood with a restriction of the quality of life," Stephan Buderus, chief physician paediatrics at the Marien-Hospital in Bonn and Dr. med. Axel Enninger, Medical Director of the Center for Pediatric, Adolescent and Women's Medicine at the Klinikum Stuttgart.
The two members of the professional society answer the important questions:
What symptoms stand for chronic constipation?
The child sits on the potty or the toilet several times a week in pain and rarely or not at all can defecate. The chair is hard and big. This procedure is associated with abdominal pain and flatulence. Loss of appetite and fatigue are other ads parents should look out for. Of course, if the child can only do the big business in pain, it will of course try to avoid it. It deliberately holds back, holds the anus with his hand and taps it back and forth tense. The symptoms are complex and not always clear. Constant Einkoten and an involuntary defecation may be signs of a paradoxical diarrhea in constipation.
Do not wait too long for blockages. (Image: Ramona Heim / fotolia.com) Can be a dangerous disease cause?
The good news: 95 percent of all children have no organic disease. There are many reasons for a hard bowel movement, because a overcome gastrointestinal infection can be as trigger as stressful situations in the everyday life of the child. This may be the loss of a familiar environment, pressure at school, separation of parents, the death of a loved one, and unfamiliar events that badly digests the child in the truest sense of the word. A genetic predisposition can also be the cause.
When should parents with their child to the specialist?
Constipation is a torturous process for every child. The parents are unsure and often do not know what their child is missing. They increase the amount of drink out of ignorance or rely on more exercise. That alone is not enough. Therefore, at the first sign of abdominal pain, cramps, and especially problems with the big business, quickly seek out a specialist in gastrointestinal diseases. He explains professionally and ensures an effective treatment that matters now. Waiting can lead to a chronification into adulthood. This means a massive reduction in the quality of life with difficulties in social and intimate contacts. This is a vicious circle that can only be broken by early treatment. Parents need help from a specialist because they are justifiably worried and are seeing daily how their child suffers. This toilet stress for children and parents must be avoided.
What is the right treatment??
During the examination, the anus is scanned very carefully. Although this is unpleasant for the child - but only so organic causes can be excluded. The child then receives medication that must be taken orally. They ensure complete emptying of the intestine. For every child who has been constipated for weeks, it is an incredible relief. Finally, the bowel movement does not hurt anymore. The medication must, however, especially with chronic constipation take place over several weeks. Laxatives such as Macrogolulver ensure that the stool increasingly mixes with water and remains soft. The aim of the treatment is complete emptying of the intestine. In difficult cases, we recommend a "separation consultation" in which a multi-professional team is involved. The success rates are with correct treatment at almost 100 percent!
How useful is a chair training?
In addition to medication, stool training is a valuable aid in dealing with problems with the big business in the long term. The Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition recommends parents to put their child on potty or toilet regularly after each meal. This training in a quiet environment must be carried out consistently, because it is a kind of bridge back to normal. Also important is a reward program for the child in a successful business - of course not with cookies or chocolate. Because a chair training is also a challenge for the child: It can take months for the digestive system to function normally again. Parents need a long breath and have to be patient. Stressful situations can again cause problems with digestion. Therefore always remember that it does not work because the child can not, but likes to.
What role does nutrition play??
For a fiten intestinal fiber such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes are recommended. This information is provided to parents when they search the Internet for help, engage in chats, or receive supposedly good advice from friends. There is a bewildering amount of good advice. However, our practical experience shows that the effectiveness of dietary fiber is often overestimated. Besides, they are often not accepted by children. We recommend a normal mixed diet and adequate physical activity. The amount of drink is overestimated. Therefore prefer to seek professional support from a child gastroenterologist. In the case of early constipation, the exclusion of cow's milk allergy by dieting is always included. In addition, parents should critically review how many clogging foods such as banana, cocoa and fast food are included in the nutrition plan.