Category: Abdominal Diseases
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Symptoms
Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. They may include: Not having a bowel movement for a few days Passing hard, dry stools Having belly (abdominal) bloating, cramps, or pain Not feeling hungry Showing signs of trying to hold stool in, such as clenching teeth, crossing legs, squeezing buttocks together, turning red in…
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Underlying physical problem
In rare cases, constipation can be caused by a larger physical problem. These physical issues can include: Problems of the intestinal tract, rectum, or anus Nervous system problems, such as cerebral palsy Endocrine problems, such as hypothyroidism Certain medicines, such as iron supplements, some antidepressants, and narcotics such as codeine
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Busy children
Some children don’t pay attention to signals that their body gives them to have a bowel movement. This can happen when children are too busy playing. They forget to go to the bathroom. Constipation can also be a problem when starting a new school year. Children can’t go to the bathroom whenever they feel the…
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Diet and Other
Eating too many foods that are high in fat and low in fiber. These include fast foods, junk foods, and soft drinks. Not drinking enough water and other fluids Having a change in diet. This includes when babies change from breastmilk to formula, or when they start eating solid foods. Lack of exercise Children who…
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Causes
Stool gets hard and dry when the large intestine (colon) takes in (absorbs) too much water. Normally, as food moves through the colon, the colon absorbs water while it makes stool. Muscle movements (contractions) push the stool toward the rectum. When the stool gets to the rectum, most of the water has been soaked up.…
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Constipation in Children
What is constipation? Constipation is when a child has very hard stools, and has fewer bowel movements than he or she normally does. It is a very common GI (gastrointestinal) problem. Signs that a child has constipation include: Having fewer bowel movements than normal. Constipation is often defined as having fewer than 3 bowel movements…
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How to talk to your child about ulcerative colitis
It’s important to help your child feel comfortable to share changes in symptoms, or when they’ve missed a medication dose. Here are some ways to help them cope with symptoms and to feel confident about opening up to you: Ask them for updates on how they feel both mentally and physically. Use language they can…
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Tips for parents and children
There are many ways children and their parents can work to cope with ulcerative colitis and live healthy and happy lives. Here are a few starting points: Educate loved ones, teachers, and close friends about the disease, nutritional needs, and medications. Seek the advice of a registered dietitian for meal planning to make sure your…
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Complications
In some cases, children with ulcerative colitis will need to be admitted to a hospital. Ulcerative colitis that begins in childhood is also more likely to affect a large portion of the colon. How much of the colon is affected is linked to how serious the disease is. Having a condition that causes chronic upset…
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Treatment
Treatment for ulcerative colitis can depend on how severe your child’s symptoms are, and how well their disease responds to treatment. Ulcerative colitis in adults is sometimes treated with a special kind of enema that has medication. However, children often can’t tolerate receiving the enema. If they can take medications, some treatments include: aminosalicylates, to reduce inflammation in…