Constipation is usually defined as having infrequent bowel movements that are hard and painfulTeatments for constipation usually includes stool softeners and changing the patient to a less constipating diet, with more fiber and fluids. Good choices of fluids include apple and prune juice.

Reading food labels can help you to find foods that are high in fiber. The fiber diets helps in a big way to relieve constipation. Some patient with severe constipation develops a blockage. Liquid stool sometimes leak. Unlike laxatives, stool softeners used in-patient is not usually addictive and can be given every day if necessary. A common mistake is for parents to stop stool softeners once a patient begins having soft bowel movements, only to have the patient soon develop constipation again. Stool softeners are often used for 4-6 months and then slowly decreased to prevent reoccurrences. Miralax is a prescription strength stool softener that is odorless and tasteless and well tolerated by most patients.

In addition to dietary changes and stool softeners, many patients with constipation need a 'clean out' regimen to help get backed up stool out. We should not have to frequently use enemas or laxatives to help your patient have a BM.While there are some medical causes of constipation, such as Hirschsprung's disease, cystic fibrosis and hypothyroidism, most patients who are constipated are normal. Warning signs that may indicate a more serious condition causing your patient to be constipated include vomiting, weight loss, poor weight gain, fever, abdominal distention or having a poor appetite. Patients who strain or groan when they have a bowel movement are not constipated if their stool is soft, even if they only have a bowel movement every two or three days. It is also important to remember that many breastfed infants only have a bowel movement once every week or two.

Dietary changes take time to become effective. Until they do, the child will need to be on a stool softener. These medications are often used long term as maintenance therapy and are considered to be safe, effective and non-habit forming .it is better to avoid chronic use of stimulant laxatives, such as Biscay, ExLax or castor oil. An osmotic type laxative that works by drawing extra fluid into the colon to soften the stool is usually safer for long-term use. Commonly used constipation medications include: Milk of magnesia: contains magnesium hydroxide. It is an osmotic laxative with a chalky tasting that is not tolerated by all children. It may be helpful to mix with 1-2 teaspoons of Tang.

We should mix into a milk shake. Mineral Oil: a lubricant that we can mix with orange juice. This May cause leakage and staining of underware. Docusate: available as Colace and Surfak. This is a lubricating laxative. It is also available with a stimulant laxative in the combination medicine Peri-Colace. Malt Soup Extract: or Maltsupex- it has an unpleasant odour.it is easily mixed with formula for younger infants. Senokot: a stimulant laxative. Bisacodyl: a stimulant laxative available as Correctol and Dulcolax.Other medications that are available by prescription include: Lactulose: an osmotic laxative. Miralax: a tasteless, osmotic laxative that contains polyethylene glycol and is usually used for two weeks or less at a time.

In addition to a stool softener, we may also give added fiber by mixing Metamucil or Citrucel with eight ounces of water or juice, or another bulk forming laxative or fiber supplements. To make the child to have a soft stool each day, the child may need to take his medication for a long period of time and often up to 4-6 months. One of the biggest mistakes the parents in general make in treating their children's constipation is stopping their medication once they begin having soft stools. If stopped too early, the child is likely to become constipated again.

Dried apple slices are also a good source of fiber. However, when the slices are dehydrated most nutrients are lost but fiber is retained. Sulfur dioxide is typically used to dry apple slices and this can cause allergic or asthmatic reactions in some people. I do not recommend using dried apple slices in place of fresh organic apples. Using baked apples also helps to clear constipation. Eat one baked apple at night, right before bedtime, and one just upon rising. Do this until you constipation is cleared.

 

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