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15 Year Old With Severe Constipation, Weight Gain, Thirsty And Tired. What Is Wrong?
Hi,
My 15 year Old daughter suffers from bad constipation. Regardless of whether she's eating normally or extremely healthily, cutting out all junk food and trying to flush out her system, the problem does not disappear. In the last few months she has gained 10lb in weight and her stomach is constantly swollen. I also believe that the intestines can be felt sticking through her stomach - if this is impossible then it is definitely something of the sort. She always feels sluggish and sick even despite doing regular exercise (she walks every morning for 1hr on a paper round and goes for regular runs) and eating very well (this week only limiting herself to bran flakes for breakfast, fruit and veg for lunch and a normal dinner with scarce sugary snacks). She drinks plenty of water but also does not see the effects of it, always feeling dehydrated and tired. I don't see where we're going wrong. What could you suggest she do? Are there certain foods she should avoid all together etc? Thank you. Beth
My 15 year Old daughter suffers from bad constipation. Regardless of whether she's eating normally or extremely healthily, cutting out all junk food and trying to flush out her system, the problem does not disappear. In the last few months she has gained 10lb in weight and her stomach is constantly swollen. I also believe that the intestines can be felt sticking through her stomach - if this is impossible then it is definitely something of the sort. She always feels sluggish and sick even despite doing regular exercise (she walks every morning for 1hr on a paper round and goes for regular runs) and eating very well (this week only limiting herself to bran flakes for breakfast, fruit and veg for lunch and a normal dinner with scarce sugary snacks). She drinks plenty of water but also does not see the effects of it, always feeling dehydrated and tired. I don't see where we're going wrong. What could you suggest she do? Are there certain foods she should avoid all together etc? Thank you. Beth
posted on
Mon, 29 Apr 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 30 Apr 2013
Answered on
Thu, 2 May 2013
Last reviewed on
Hi Beth,
Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic.
With the description of your daughter complaints of constipation, gain in the weight, swollen stomach, feeling of sluggishness and sick, and tiredness first I would like to rule out the hypo functioning of the thyroid gland.
In hypothyroidism usually the complaints are characteristic and it is a treatable condition by doing blood test for thyroid hormone levels.
There for I advise you to consult the Pediatrician for examination of the child and for physical examination followed by investigations with thyroid function tests.
Give more dietary fiber rich food and plenty of water to drink.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards.
Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic.
With the description of your daughter complaints of constipation, gain in the weight, swollen stomach, feeling of sluggishness and sick, and tiredness first I would like to rule out the hypo functioning of the thyroid gland.
In hypothyroidism usually the complaints are characteristic and it is a treatable condition by doing blood test for thyroid hormone levels.
There for I advise you to consult the Pediatrician for examination of the child and for physical examination followed by investigations with thyroid function tests.
Give more dietary fiber rich food and plenty of water to drink.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards.
I find this answer helpful
Hi,
Thanks for writing to health care magic.
If there is excessive weight gain with constipation and feeling of lethargy then your child should be investigated for hypothyroidism.
A thyroid profile done after physical examination by your doctor will identify if there is such problem.
Continue to ask further queries as required.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Thanks for writing to health care magic.
If there is excessive weight gain with constipation and feeling of lethargy then your child should be investigated for hypothyroidism.
A thyroid profile done after physical examination by your doctor will identify if there is such problem.
Continue to ask further queries as required.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
You should take your child to a doctor...an endocrinologist may be better
She need physical examination and some basic blood tests...
Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, Intestinal dysmotility and so on have to be excluded...
Weight is like bank account. The amount in account comes down when you withdraw more (physical work) and you deposit less (eat less). If the weight is picking up, it only means – the exercise is not enough or the food is more. See a good dietician - you have to reduce the quantity of your food and change the quality too. She needs regular exercise too.
Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
Welcome to Health Care Magic
You should take your child to a doctor...an endocrinologist may be better
She need physical examination and some basic blood tests...
Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, Intestinal dysmotility and so on have to be excluded...
Weight is like bank account. The amount in account comes down when you withdraw more (physical work) and you deposit less (eat less). If the weight is picking up, it only means – the exercise is not enough or the food is more. See a good dietician - you have to reduce the quantity of your food and change the quality too. She needs regular exercise too.
Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
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