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What Causes Pain During Defecation In Children?
Question: I have an 8-year-old daughter who had suddenly become fearful about pooping. This has happened in cycles over the past month, and each time been worse, with the last cycle lasting a week and ending with her in serious pain, missing school, crying all day, and finally going because of tons of Miralax (which she had been taking all week) and a glycerin suppository that she finally let me give her. She said she finally realized that she felt so much better when she let herself go, that it didn't hurt, and seemed on track for nine days... until this cycle, where we are in day 4. Crying, won't go, stomach cramps, won't take a suppository or enema, won't sit on the potty for more than 2 seconds. I'm so stressed out, and have talked to her in a million different ways about all the experience she has in pooping and how she can let the wise and experienced part of her brain talk to the fearful part of her brain about not having to be scared, but nothing I say or do matters. Help - I'm totally stressed!
Brief Answer:
Constipation seems to be the cause.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Health Care Magic.
I have gone very carefully through your query. The fearfulness in your daughter is likely to be the result of constipation. Incidentally, constipation in children has become a very frequently encountered problem these days. The primary reason for the same is lack of adequate play as well as the lack of adequate amounts of fiber containing foods in diet.
Going through the following link should help:
http://patient.info/health/constipation-in-children-leaflet
The mainstay of treatment would be to increase the total dietary fiber consumption. Dietary fiber supplements can be given safely. Wheat, corn, and rice XXXXXXX are high in insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation. XXXXXXX can be sprinkled into her favorite foods, from hot cereal and pancakes to muffins and cookies. Many popular high-fiber cereals and bars are also packed with XXXXXXX Beans really are the magical fruit. Isabgol (psyllium husk) or senna can also be given as fiber supplements. Miralax contains polyethylene glycol (PEG) which is an osmotic laxative and can be continued.
Make sure that she drinks plenty of water and goes to pass stool at a regular time every day (irrespective of whether she feels an urge to pass). This will demote stool holding habits and would promote regular bowel habits.
It might still be a good idea to visit a doctor and get her clinically evaluated.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Constipation seems to be the cause.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Health Care Magic.
I have gone very carefully through your query. The fearfulness in your daughter is likely to be the result of constipation. Incidentally, constipation in children has become a very frequently encountered problem these days. The primary reason for the same is lack of adequate play as well as the lack of adequate amounts of fiber containing foods in diet.
Going through the following link should help:
http://patient.info/health/constipation-in-children-leaflet
The mainstay of treatment would be to increase the total dietary fiber consumption. Dietary fiber supplements can be given safely. Wheat, corn, and rice XXXXXXX are high in insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation. XXXXXXX can be sprinkled into her favorite foods, from hot cereal and pancakes to muffins and cookies. Many popular high-fiber cereals and bars are also packed with XXXXXXX Beans really are the magical fruit. Isabgol (psyllium husk) or senna can also be given as fiber supplements. Miralax contains polyethylene glycol (PEG) which is an osmotic laxative and can be continued.
Make sure that she drinks plenty of water and goes to pass stool at a regular time every day (irrespective of whether she feels an urge to pass). This will demote stool holding habits and would promote regular bowel habits.
It might still be a good idea to visit a doctor and get her clinically evaluated.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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