Well-Being
CONSTIPATION CAUSES AND REMEDIES By Jo Ann B. Serota, DNP, RN, CPNP, FAANP, IBCLC
M
ost kids have an occasional bout of firm, hard and possibly painful stools or a change in their normal bowel movement pattern. Your healthcare provider will gener- ally reassure you, but you may still worry and wonder what causes these changes in bowel habits and stool consistency. The digestive system or gastrointestinal
(GI) tract begins at the mouth and ends at the anus. An important part of the tract is the intestine — a long, continuous tube from the stomach to the anus. Most absorption of nutrients and water happens in the intestine. The organs associated with the tract are
the liver, pancreas and gallbladder. Each plays an important role in digestion. Nerves, hormones, bacteria and blood in the tract are necessary for digesting the food and liquid consumed. Digestion breaks down food into nutrients (small molecules), which allows the body to absorb the carbohy- drates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals necessary to produce energy, to grow and to promote healing. The small intestine absorbs most of the
nutrients via the blood. Digestion produces waste products such as undigested food and other by-products. They move into the large intestine where intestinal muscle movements keep the flow of waste moving along the tract. The large intestine absorbs water and any remaining nutrients and
44 TROUBLE? Tummy
changes the waste from liquid into stool. The rectum stores and then pushes the stool out of the body during a bowel movement. What causes constipation? As food moves
through the intestine or colon, water is absorbed and the by-products of diges- tion become formed and dry. As the food reaches the rectum, most of the water in the forming stool has been absorbed, making the stool solid. If there is a change in the intestine’s motility, such as slowing down, more water is being absorbed, thus making the stool drier and harder. The main causes of constipation in kids
are a decrease in fluid intake and a low- fiber diet. Children who do not get enough exercise or who are toilet training may develop constipation. Other causes may be emotional, fear of pain when stooling, a busy schedule, medications or a physical problem. Your provider will determine if there may be an underlying medical cause and order the appropriate tests. Signs of constipation in kids include:
* Changes in normal stooling patterns, such as going less than twice a week.
* Trouble or pain during a bowel movement. * Stools large in diameter.
* A history of excessive stool retention — not wanting to have a bowel movement.
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* Red blood on the toilet paper or smeared on the stools.
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