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My Grandson Is Five Years Old. Several Months Ago He
Question: my grandson is five years old. Several months ago he started having diarrhea. He had diarrhea for a month before his parents took him to his Dr. About two weeks before he was seen by his Dr. He started complaining of his belly hurting. His belly hurt all the time, through out the day and daily. He can only eat a little bit until his belly starts to hurt worse then he says”im full” His Dr has him on a dairy free diet for
three months and is going to evaluate him
at the end of the three months. We are in month two. A couple weeks ago he started complaining of having cold feet at times and I believe he was also trying to explain to me that his feet tingle. Today he told me hos legs are tired.
three months and is going to evaluate him
at the end of the three months. We are in month two. A couple weeks ago he started complaining of having cold feet at times and I believe he was also trying to explain to me that his feet tingle. Today he told me hos legs are tired.
Brief Answer:
Kidnly give few more details
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Welcome to Ask A Doctor service
I have gone through your query and understand your concern
For getting a more clear picture, I would like to get few more details:
1. His present body weight; if possible, also mention his weight 2-3 months back
2. Is the diarrhea settled now, or still going on? If persisting: how many times a day; does the stool contain mucus or blood? Does it contain a lot of air/flatus?; was the diarrhea associated with fever/vomiting?
3. Where exactly is the abdominal pain- around umbilicus, in epigastrium(upper most part of abdomen), or towards one side(right/left) of the abdomen?
4. Is the pain sever enough to make him cry?
5. Any urinary disturbance like frequent urge to urinate or pain on passing urine?
6. Is he otherwise active and playful?
7. Please upload reports of any blood/stool/urine tests or ultrasound scanning done so far
8. Kindly mention details of treatment received so far
Kindly get back with details, so that I can guide you better . Sorry for asking too many things, but since the issue started moths back, we need these details to sort this out
Regards, Dr Aslam
Kidnly give few more details
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Welcome to Ask A Doctor service
I have gone through your query and understand your concern
For getting a more clear picture, I would like to get few more details:
1. His present body weight; if possible, also mention his weight 2-3 months back
2. Is the diarrhea settled now, or still going on? If persisting: how many times a day; does the stool contain mucus or blood? Does it contain a lot of air/flatus?; was the diarrhea associated with fever/vomiting?
3. Where exactly is the abdominal pain- around umbilicus, in epigastrium(upper most part of abdomen), or towards one side(right/left) of the abdomen?
4. Is the pain sever enough to make him cry?
5. Any urinary disturbance like frequent urge to urinate or pain on passing urine?
6. Is he otherwise active and playful?
7. Please upload reports of any blood/stool/urine tests or ultrasound scanning done so far
8. Kindly mention details of treatment received so far
Kindly get back with details, so that I can guide you better . Sorry for asking too many things, but since the issue started moths back, we need these details to sort this out
Regards, Dr Aslam
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
He weighs approximately 35 pounds. He has weighed 35 pounds for quite some time, couple of years. He poops three to six times per day from very loose stool to watery and once or twice during the day his stool will be formed. Never any blood but, I see.mucus on occasion. Never any fever or vomiting. There is air when he poops, He plays normally but, he get tired and at times he will just be blank staring for several seconds until I call his name and he snaps out of it. The abdominal pain is middle. The pain never makes him cry and doesnt stop him from playing.before the diarrhea started he was going to pee every five minutes, literally and with urgency. He would pass urine every time in different amounts. He still pees frequently but, not as frequently as he was and without the urgency. Last couple of weeks he has been complaining, at times of his feet being very cold and at other times of his legs feeling tired.
Not received any treatment. Dr put him on a three month cleansing of dairy. And gave him Miri lax for constipation because at the very beginning when he was peeing every five minutes and before the diarrhea started he had some constipation. Dr. Said could be dairy intolerance and put him on a three month diet of no dairy and gave him Miri lax for the constipation.
Brief Answer:
Need not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the details given
Let me summarise the case: 5 year old boy, started with urinary urgency and frequency, along with constipation > Started on laxatives > Then started having diarrhea, followed by belly pain > put on dairy free diet now > now also complaints of cold feet & legs feeling tired
Now I will share my view on this:
The diarrhea is probably laxative induced, and should respond if we decrease the dose of laxative- We can taper the dose to maintain 1-2 soft stools daily. This is better done after discussing with your doctor. Also, cut down fruit juices, candies and carbonated beverages- all these will help to restore his bowel back to normal
The belly pain, in my opinion, is not something to be worried about; it is common for children of this age to have some dull aching type of pain around umbilicus, especially after food and usually disappear its own in few minutes. This is called functional abdominal pain, and is a benign condition that children will gradually overgrow. Avoiding caffeinated items(tea/coffee/chocolates) will help this, as is a diet rich in fibre. Occasional pain will respond to Acetaminophen
Given the history poor weight gain for last couple of years, poor appetite and tiered feeling, I would like to get his Hemoglobin levels done to rule out anemia. Along with this, it would be fine if we can get his thyroid function also done, although not a must.
The transient staring looks while playing, I am not able to make out, but catching these episodes in a video and uploading the same might throw some more light on this.
I hope this answer will help
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help
Regards, Dr Aslam
Need not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the details given
Let me summarise the case: 5 year old boy, started with urinary urgency and frequency, along with constipation > Started on laxatives > Then started having diarrhea, followed by belly pain > put on dairy free diet now > now also complaints of cold feet & legs feeling tired
Now I will share my view on this:
The diarrhea is probably laxative induced, and should respond if we decrease the dose of laxative- We can taper the dose to maintain 1-2 soft stools daily. This is better done after discussing with your doctor. Also, cut down fruit juices, candies and carbonated beverages- all these will help to restore his bowel back to normal
The belly pain, in my opinion, is not something to be worried about; it is common for children of this age to have some dull aching type of pain around umbilicus, especially after food and usually disappear its own in few minutes. This is called functional abdominal pain, and is a benign condition that children will gradually overgrow. Avoiding caffeinated items(tea/coffee/chocolates) will help this, as is a diet rich in fibre. Occasional pain will respond to Acetaminophen
Given the history poor weight gain for last couple of years, poor appetite and tiered feeling, I would like to get his Hemoglobin levels done to rule out anemia. Along with this, it would be fine if we can get his thyroid function also done, although not a must.
The transient staring looks while playing, I am not able to make out, but catching these episodes in a video and uploading the same might throw some more light on this.
I hope this answer will help
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help
Regards, Dr Aslam
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sorry, my mistake. I didnt advise you that he does not take to laxative regularly and hasnt had it for some time. Only takes it if constipated but, hasn't been constipated due to the frequency and the loose and sometimes watery stool. Does this information change your opinion? Or do you still have the same opinion?
Brief Answer:
No much change
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thank you the information
There is no much change in my opinion, but if the loose stools continue to happen even after 7-10 days of stopping laxative, we can not attribute this to laxatives. In that case, adhere to the diet modification that I suggested before(avoid fruit juices, candies, and carbonated beverages. Also, I would recommend a probiotic preparation for 5-7 days. If this does not help in 2-4 weeks, we can evaluate further.
Also, instead of using once in a while/irregularly, it is better to continue laxative regularly in the lowest dose needed for few months, and then taper gradually and stop. By this way we can take him off laxative fully.
Abdominal pain, same as I said before.
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help; otherwise you can close the discussion and kindly rate the answer.
Regards, Dr Aslam
No much change
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thank you the information
There is no much change in my opinion, but if the loose stools continue to happen even after 7-10 days of stopping laxative, we can not attribute this to laxatives. In that case, adhere to the diet modification that I suggested before(avoid fruit juices, candies, and carbonated beverages. Also, I would recommend a probiotic preparation for 5-7 days. If this does not help in 2-4 weeks, we can evaluate further.
Also, instead of using once in a while/irregularly, it is better to continue laxative regularly in the lowest dose needed for few months, and then taper gradually and stop. By this way we can take him off laxative fully.
Abdominal pain, same as I said before.
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help; otherwise you can close the discussion and kindly rate the answer.
Regards, Dr Aslam
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My main worry is his his kidneys or Liver or any other organ.
Thank you
Thank you
I attached two screenshots of some test results, last bit of information I have. Please let me know your final thought on the matter.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Not at all related to kidney/liver
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand your concerns
But, you are too over-worried. The symptoms are not at all suggestive of liver/kidney or any other major organ dysfunction. If the symptoms persists beyond 1 month despite above said measures, I was planning to suggests few blood and stool tests. But, my mind says that will not be needed.
Among the attached reports, urine is absolutely normal, while blood reports are incomplete- only subjective comments and no values mentioned- hence difficult to interpret.
I hope this answer will help
Stay relaxed
Regards, Dr Aslam
Not at all related to kidney/liver
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand your concerns
But, you are too over-worried. The symptoms are not at all suggestive of liver/kidney or any other major organ dysfunction. If the symptoms persists beyond 1 month despite above said measures, I was planning to suggests few blood and stool tests. But, my mind says that will not be needed.
Among the attached reports, urine is absolutely normal, while blood reports are incomplete- only subjective comments and no values mentioned- hence difficult to interpret.
I hope this answer will help
Stay relaxed
Regards, Dr Aslam
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I hope you are relaxed now.
It was nice to have a conversation with you
I look forward to address any further concerns ahead
Wishing you and family healthy days ahead, stay blessed
Dr Aslam
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I hope you are relaxed now.
It was nice to have a conversation with you
I look forward to address any further concerns ahead
Wishing you and family healthy days ahead, stay blessed
Dr Aslam
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Not worried about disfunction, worried about whatever it is causing his symptoms in relation to his loose and sometimes watery stool also effecting his liver and or kidneys.
Brief Answer:
Very unlikley
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
As I mentioned before, the present symptoms does not suggest a significant systemic disease and it will not affect any other organs.
Kindly relax , be patient and we will reassess after 1 month. Then, depending on the situation, definitely we can do further investigations.
I do not have any problem in suggesting investigations to screen all organ functions and metabolic status now, but the child's present condition does not warrant this.
Signs that warrants rapid evaluation are: Fever, sever abdominal pain, bloody stools, a very dull/lethargic child- if these symptoms are not there, nothing to worry.
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help
Regards, Dr Aslam
Very unlikley
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
As I mentioned before, the present symptoms does not suggest a significant systemic disease and it will not affect any other organs.
Kindly relax , be patient and we will reassess after 1 month. Then, depending on the situation, definitely we can do further investigations.
I do not have any problem in suggesting investigations to screen all organ functions and metabolic status now, but the child's present condition does not warrant this.
Signs that warrants rapid evaluation are: Fever, sever abdominal pain, bloody stools, a very dull/lethargic child- if these symptoms are not there, nothing to worry.
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help
Regards, Dr Aslam
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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