Other names for Constipation (children)

Childhood Bowel Irregularity
Functional Constipation
Pediatric Constipation
Slow Bowel Movements in Children

Synopsis of Constipation (children)

Constipation in children is a common condition where bowel movements are infrequent, hard, or difficult to pass. It can cause pain, abdominal bloating, irritability, and in some cases, stool withholding behaviors where children avoid using the toilet because of previous painful experiences. While it often resolves with simple dietary and lifestyle changes, persistent constipation can lead to complications like fecal impaction, rectal bleeding, or encopresis (involuntary stool leakage).

Constipation in children is often functional (not caused by a disease) and triggered by low-fiber diets, poor hydration, fear of painful bowel movements, changes in routine (e.g., toilet training, school schedules), or emotional stress. Occasionally, it can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, which requires further evaluation.

Types of Constipation in Children:

• Functional Constipation: Most common; no identifiable medical cause.

• Organic Constipation: Caused by conditions like hypothyroidism, Hirschsprung's disease, or celiac disease (less common).

• Behavioral Stool Retention: Due to fear of painful defecation or toileting anxiety.

Common Causes:

• Low fiber intake (processed foods, picky eating habits)

• Inadequate fluid intake

• Sedentary behavior (screen time over physical activity)

• Stress or emotional changes (starting school, moving, family issues)

• Poor toilet habits (ignoring the urge to go)

• Illnesses leading to dehydration (fever, viral infections)

• Early or rushed toilet training

Severity Factors:

• Longer duration of constipation increases risk of fecal impaction.

• Chronic withholding can stretch the rectum, reducing natural signals to defecate.

• Severe cases may cause emotional distress, stomachaches, and poor appetite.

When to See a Doctor:

• Constipation lasting more than two weeks

• Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding

• Abdominal swelling, vomiting, or severe pain

• Weight loss or poor growth

• Fever associated with constipation

• Signs of fecal impaction (large, hard stool in rectum)

Natural remedies for Constipation (children)

Increase dietary fiber: Offer fruits (especially pears, prunes, apples), vegetables, and whole grains.

Hydration: Encourage water consumption throughout the day.

Regular toileting routine: Encourage sitting on the toilet after meals (using a footstool to support proper posture).

Positive reinforcement: Praise and encouragement without punishment or pressure.

Limit constipating foods: Such as excessive dairy, white bread, and processed snacks.

Physical activity: Encourage active play to stimulate gut motility.

Natural stool softeners: Like prune puree, apple juice, or a little flaxseed mixed into food (if tolerated).

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Constipation (children)

2'-Fucosyllactose
Agar
Alexandrian senna
Allium tuberosum
Almond fruit
Aloe vera
Aloin
alpinia galangal
Amomum
Amor seco
anise
anthraquinone
apple
Appleblossom Cassia
apricot
arabinoxylan
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
Bacillus
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
bamboo
basil
Bassia scoparia
bee products
beet
belleric myrobalan
Bidens pilosa
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black salt
black seed
blackberry
blackboard tree
blueberry
Bombax
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
Broussonetia
butternut
bасора
cabbage
cactus
cantaloupe
carrot
cascara sagrada
cascaroside
castor oil
Celosia
chamomile
Chenopodium
chicory
chirata
Chondrus
cinnamon
Citrus
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clostridium butyricum
coconut
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
Curcuma
currant
curry leaf
Cyclanthera pedata
Cynomorium
date
dianthrone
dioscorea
dodder
Eclipta
fennel
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fig
Frangula
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
Galangal
Glucofrangulin
grape
green banana
guar gum
Guava
honey
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Hydroxycellulose
Hygrophila
Indian bael
Indian kinotree
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
jujube
jungli-bean
karaya gum
Kefir
lactitol
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
lemon
ligustilides
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
Methylcellulose
Moringa
Mucilage
Mugwort
Myrobalan
Nettle
nut grass
Nutmeg
Nymphaea nouchali
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Ophiopogon
orange
Oryza sativa
Osmanthus
Palmyra
papaya
peach
pear
Phaeophyceae
phellodendron amurense
Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Plantago
plum fruit
Polygonum
polyphenols
polysaccharides
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
punarnava
Pyrrosia
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhizome
rhubarb
ricinoleic acid
root tuber
Rubiaceae
seaweed
senna
Sennosides
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Sicklepod
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
soursop
spinach
squawvine
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulfated polysaccharide
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tea
Triphala
turmeric
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
Watermelon
Wax Gourd
Wheat