The child is difficult and doesn't recover? this is what parents need to do

Difficulty defecating or constipation is one of the digestive disorders in children.

In the United States and Western Europe, constipation in children is still the most common complaint. This results in about 3 to 5 percent of children being referred to specialists and 25 to 30 percent of those admitted to subspecialty pediatric gastroenterologists.

Not only pain, constipation or difficulty defecating can have a big impact on your little one's daily activities.

This is because constipation is a disease that causes anxiety during bowel movements due to pain, recurring stomach pain, and decreased appetite.

If left unchecked, this decreased appetite can stunt the child's growth. Often, it is difficult to defecate due to disturbances in bodily functions, not because of physical problems or consumption of certain drugs.

What is constipation or constipation?

Constipation or constipation is a condition when your child has difficulty passing stools for two weeks or more. A child is said to be constipated when experiencing the following symptoms:

Children less than 4 years

In children less than 4 years old, he is said to be constipated if he defecates less than three times a week and is accompanied by pain.

In addition, children also have difficulty defecating when the stool, or better known as feces, feels like a blockage in the rectum.

This sensation arises because the stool does not come out all even though you have defecated three times a week or even more.

Children over 4 years

In children older than 4 years, difficult to defecate is usually characterized by symptoms such as:

• Defecate twice or less in a week without taking laxatives
• A sudden discharge, two or more times each week
• Have a history of fecal obstruction
• Have a history of pain during bowel movements
• Fese comes out in large quantities around 7 to 30 days
• Have a history of large stools that clog the toilet
• Feels like there is a build-up of mass in the stomach and rectum

These symptoms will usually continue to appear for two weeks. However, when the symptoms last up to 4 weeks or more, this is a sign that your child is experiencing chronic constipation.

Understand the process of defecating in children

Defecation is a process that begins with the pushing of feces through the colon or large intestine. This process is caused by intestinal contractions that occur several times a day.

In infants, contractions usually occur more frequently. While in adults, contractions only range from 2 to 4 times per day.

This intestinal contraction then increases bowel movement (colon). When food enters the intestine, a reflex appears that pushes feces from the colon to the rectum.

This reflex is called the gastrocolic reflex, which is a stimulus to defecate when the intestines are full of feces or feces.

The baby's stool that has reached the rectum will not be passed immediately. Stool will be stored while waiting for the correct time to be issued.

What causes a child to have difficulty defecating?

The cause of having difficulty defecating in children is divided into two, namely organic (physical) and functional (bodily functions).

About 95 percent of difficulty defecating in children is caused by functional problems. The remaining 5 percent is caused by physical abnormalities such as anatomical, nerve and muscle, metabolic, endocrine, and other abnormalities.

In general, here are the various causes of difficult defecation in children:

1. Delaying CHAPTER

Playing or learning activities often make children delay defecating. This will make the stool harder and harder to pass. As a result, constipation cannot be avoided.

2. Stress

Children can have difficulty defecating when they experience excessive anxiety about something.

This emotional disturbance can affect bowel function because children tend to hold feces and do not want to defecate.

3. Lack of fluid intake

Lack of fluids, for example from drinking water, will make it more difficult for the intestines to work. The reason is, the stool becomes drier, making it difficult to pass.

4. Types of formula milk consumed

Formula milk has a different nutritional composition from breast milk. This makes formula milk more difficult to digest.

As a result, the stool becomes harder and your little one is reluctant to defecate.

5. New food

Food is often a factor that causes children to have difficulty defecating. This is especially true during the transition from liquid to solid foods or when babies start solids.

The reason is, the child's digestive system needs adjustments. That is why at the beginning of the transition period, children usually find it difficult to defecate.

6. Lack of fiber

Foods that are low in fiber can be triggers that make it difficult for children to defecate.

7. Food allergies

Difficulty defecating that doesn't go away can be a sign of milk intolerance or certain food allergies.

8. Certain medical conditions

Certain medical conditions can include physical disorders or problems, such as Hirschprung's disease, hypothyroidism, or anal fissures.

In addition, the use of drugs such as anti-seizure and anti-diarrheal drugs can also cause difficulty defecating in children.

How to deal with difficult defecation in children

Overcoming difficult children to defecate is not difficult, ma'am. Here are some ways you can do at home so that your child's defecation is smooth and not hard:

1. Get your child used to sitting on the toilet regularly

This method can be done about 3 to 5 minutes after eating. Even if your child doesn't want to have a bowel movement, still ask him or her to sit on the toilet every day.

Create a comfortable atmosphere every time you defecate so that your little one doesn't feel pressured.

2. Provide foods high in fiber

We recommend that you give children foods rich in fiber, for example, from vegetables and fruit every day.

So that your child's defecation is smooth and not hard, provide a different source of fiber every day, especially those that contain lots of water.

High-fiber foods for children to help facilitate the process of bowel movements and increase bowel movements to encourage stool to pass.

3. Limit formula feeding

If the child is over 18 months of age, you should not give formula milk more than 500 ml per day. The reason is, giving excessive milk actually causes children to have difficulty defecating.

4. Inadequate fluid needs

By drinking enough fluids, stool becomes softer. That way, the process of defecating can be easier and more regular and the cause of having difficulty defecating does not occur.

5. Encourage children to move actively when it is difficult to defecate

So that children no longer have difficulty defecating, encourage them to move actively, for example through playing. Give them 30 minutes to 1 hour of play time each day.

By staying active, the intestines will continue to move so that the digestive process of the child will be smooth.

6. Set a meal schedule for children who are having difficulty defecating

A regular eating schedule is able to stimulate the intestines so that the child will get used to defecating regularly. Get used to your little one breakfast early so that he is accustomed to defecating before leaving for school.

7. Give laxatives when the child has difficulty defecating

If the child's defecation is still not smooth, parents can provide laxatives for children that contain the active substance lactulose.

Lactulose can help soften stool so that it is easier to pass. In emergency cases, you can also give laxatives containing bisacodyl suppositories (rectally) to treat difficult bowel movements.

When to see a doctor?

If you have tried home remedies but your child is still constipated, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.

Usually will provide stool softeners and other treatments according to the condition of your little one.

In children, there are several symptoms of constipation that need to be checked by a doctor immediately, namely:

• Constipation occurs from birth, accompanied by symptoms of flatulence
• Difficulty defecating has been going on for more than two weeks
• Constipation symptoms do not improve with home remedies
• The child's weight decreases
• Bloody bowel movements

This information is expected to be a guide for parents when children have difficulty defecating.

Don't hesitate to ask a doctor for help so that constipation in your child can be resolved immediately.

x

Also Read: