Constipation In Children - What Should You Know?

Children more often than not suffer from bowel disorders such as constipation or diarrhoea. When it comes to the specific problem of constipation a child will experience infrequent bowel movements and in addition will experience discomfort due to the elimination of dry, hard stools.

Symptoms of Constipation in Children:

Symptoms of constipation in a child commonly includes:

• Few bowel movements in a week, example, lesser than three
• Stools that are so hard that they pass with difficulty and cause pain
• Large stools that cause obstruction in the toilet
• Pain experienced during a bowel movement
• Pain in the abdomen
• Traces of clay like stools in the child’s clothes. This is a sign that stool is still stuck in the rectum
• You notice blood in the stools or on the outer surface of it

Another sign which is more on the psychological side is the fear of passing bowels on the part of the child. This is because he or she previously experienced pain and therefore is resisting to go for one on the pretext that it will hurt again.

Although constipation isn’t a serious issue by itself there could be other associated or underlying illnesses that might prove to be serious in the long run. These issues include:

• Vomiting
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Blood found in the stool
• Swelling of the abdomen area
• Anal Fissures
• Rectal Prolapse

What are the Reasons that Lead Up to Constipation?

The problem of constipation arises when the stool or waste moves rather slowly. This slow movement makes the stools dry and hard.

Factors that cause constipation in children include:

• Improper Toilet Training - Sometimes when parents decide to impart toilet training teachings to children too early on they might rebel and hold the urge to poop. Over time this can lead to a habit of sorts.
• The Habit to Withhold - On other occasions some children might feel uncomfortable pooping in public toilets, thus leading to withholding. Another reason to withhold is the previous painful experience of trying to eliminate large hard stools.
• Sudden Changes in Diet - One of the primary causes of constipation in children is switching from a liquid diet to one where there is solid food. Sometimes when there is not enough fibrous food in the daily diet such as fruits and vegetables, can also lead to constipation.

Treating Constipation with Help of Ayurveda:

Using Ayurveda to treat constipation includes implementing certain lifestyle and dietary changes which are:

• Increasing the intake of fibre such as cooked veggies and fresh fruits.
• Consuming ripe yellow bananas regularly.
• Drink ample amount of water every day; lukewarm water during the winter season room temperature waters in other seasons.
• Engage in physical activities daily such as walk for at least 20-30 minutes.
• Consume nuts and grains.
• Avoid food items such as meat.
• Consume freshly-prepared, hot food.
• Consuming chilled food such as ice cream, kulfi or drinks slows down the digestive power and impacts the bowel movement.
• Make the child consume a tablespoon of castor oil every day during bedtime until the issue is resolved
• Consume figs that have been soaked overnight. Also drinking the water in which they were soaked is recommended.

On the whole, it is possible to treat constipation in children with the help of Ayurveda in case you want to avoid making your child take medications. However, you must keep in mind that these home remedies must be followed regularly.