Constipation (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:
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Functional Constipation: Most common; no identifiable medical cause.
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Organic Constipation: Caused by conditions like hypothyroidism, Hirschsprung's disease, or celiac disease (less common).
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Behavioral Stool Retention: Due to fear of painful defecation or toileting anxiety.
Common Causes:
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Low fiber intake (processed foods, picky eating habits)
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Inadequate fluid intake
-
Sedentary behavior (screen time over physical activity)
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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:
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Longer duration of constipation increases risk of fecal impaction.
-
Chronic withholding can stretch the rectum, reducing natural signals to defecate.
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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
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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
aloe vera
alpha-galactosidase
amylase
anthocyanins
apple
apricot
bacillus coagulans
bamboo
basil
beet
myrobalan
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
black currant
blackberry
blueberry
rice
bасора
capsaicinoids
carrot
cat's claw
cauliflower
chamomile
chicory
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
cinnamon
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coating
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
d-sorbitol
exo-peptidase
fennel
fiber blend (proprietary)
flavonols
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
greek mountain tea
green banana
onion
green tea
guar gum
cellulose
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
jujube
l-glycine
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus lactis
lactobacillus reuteri
lemon
lovage
mannitol
milk
moringa
natural flavor
nettle
orange
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
pancreatin
parsley
pear
peppermint oil
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
pineapple
plum fruit
pomegranate
potassium
potato starch
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
quercetin
raspberry
rhizome
rosemary
slippery elm bark
sorbitol
spinach
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
thyme
tomato
triphala
almond fruit
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
seaweed
wasabia japonica
watermelon
xylanase
yeast
zinc
squawvine
cascara sagrada
tangerine
gastrodia
atractylodes
papaya
mugwort
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
anise
punarnava
blackboard tree
boxthorne
lemongrass
root tuber
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
polyphenols
trace minerals
fulvic acid
senna
peach
hypothalamus
algae
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
soursop
16 carbon alkyl
2-Fucosyllactose
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
6-Methoxybenzoazolinone
Alcohol
Agar
Ash
Angelica archanglica
Apple fiber
Aroma
Aloe Polysaccharide
Actinidin
Alpinia
African Ginger
Artemisia Herba-Alba
Average Herb Strength
Aldimine
Ankaflavin
Anthraquinone
Aloe Polysaccharide
Aga
Amylase
Ardisia
acacia
Allium tuberosum Rottl.
Amaranth
Asian Psyllium
Arisaema amurense
Almond
Amomum
Antirrhinin
Activated Charcoal
Ajuga
Artemisia
Algae (unspecified)
Andrographolide
Aloe vera
Acacia fiber
Alexandrian senna
Asian Bayberry
Almond Oil
Arisaema cum bile
Alkaline (unspecified)
Aloin
Allium (unspecified)
Alpinia (unspecified)
Appleblossom Cassia
Asam gelugor
Apricot
Alkali (unspecified)
Alkyl (unspecified)
Anthocyanin
Agar
Algae
Ammonium salt (unspecified)
Abutua
Angostura
Axocopaque
Alkaloids
Amomum (unspecified)
Aresaema (unspecified)
Asteracea
Aloe
Allyl Sulfide
Arecoline Hydrobromide
Aromatic acid (unspecified)
Alpha Glucans
Apple
Apple
Atractylodes
Amino Acid Blend/Complex
Anthocyanins
Arabinogalactans
Alder Buckthorn
Acidophilus
Alpha Galactosidase
Arabinogalactan
Arabinoxylan
Ananain
Amaranthus tricolor
Allium tuberosum
Aloe macroclada
American Wormseed
Amor seco
Arisaema
Agar
Atractylone
Adsorbant
Barberry
Black Seed
Blend (Combination)
Bentonite
Bifidobacterium longum
Baker's Yeast
Belleric myrobalan
Bifidobacterium
Bee Pollen
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bamboo fiber
Bifidobacterium (various species)
Botanical Blend
Bengal Fig
Bergenia Pacumbis
Bulking Agent
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifobacterium (mixed)
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
benzenoid (unspecified)
Bile acid (unspecified)
Beta-Glucans
Bicarbonate
Bitter Principles
Bishop's Weed
Bifidobacterium animalis lactis
Bioflavonoid
Belleric myrobalan
Bioflavonoids (mixed)
Bifidobacterium (mixed)
Bran
Blend (Vitamin)
Bitter Grass
Blue-Green Algae
Brine
Beet Molasses
Bael
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Butternut
berry
Basil
Blend (Amino Acid/Protein)
Buttermilk
Bacillus (mixed)
Blue-Green Algae
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bicarbonate (mixed)
Blend (Dietary substance used by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake)
Buckthorn
Blend (Fatty Acid or Fat/Oil Supplement)
Bioflavonoids
Bifidobacterium breve
Beadlets
Bicarbonate (unspecified)
Brewer's Yeast
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bacillus (unspecified)
Bacteria (unspecified)
Bifidobacteria (unspecified)
Berries (unspecified)
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Brassica (unspecified)
Broom Corn
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Bacillus Coagulans
Bacteria Blend
banana
Bifidobacteria
Bovine (not specified)
Bacillus
Black Pepper and White Pepper
Black Pepper
Bassia scoparia
Balsam pear
Bottle gourd
Biogenic amine
bitartrate
Borneol
Blend (combination)
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Color
Coral
Cellulose Gel
Citrus fiber
Curry leaf
Cascaroside
Cream
Cucurbita moschata
Cinnamic aldehyde
Cellulose
Cycloamylose
Castor oil derivative (unspecified)
Cactus
Cascara Sagrada
Cynomorium
Citrus (unspecified)
Cream
Cayenne Pepper
Corn Bran
Cluster Fig
Citrus
Capsaicin
Cardamom
Cantaloupe
Cyclanthera pedata
Clivers
Caffeoylquinic acids (unspecified)
Calcium
Cellulose
Carrot fiber
Complex
Carboxy Methyl Starch
Cyperus rotundus
Citrus Bioflavonoids
Capsaicinoids
Calcium
Cabbage palm (not specifed)
Carrot
Cinnamaldehydes
Chenopodium
Cape gooseberry
Cassia (unspecified)
Cassia fistula
Cereal (unspecified)
Common madia
Curcuma
Capsaicinoid
Cellulose ethers
Colloid gum
Carbohydrate (mixed)
Carbohydrate (unspecified)
Caraway
Cabbage
Chirata
Clove
Chinese Rhubarb
Cellulose
Citrus nobilis
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Carotene (unspecified)
Clostridium butyricum
Chloroplast
Citrus (mixed)
Coconut
Cellulose
Carboxy Methyl Cellulose
Cellulose silica
Cellulose stearic acid
Clay
Ceylon Ginger
Carbohydrate
Cellulose ethers
Castor Oil
Cascara
Capsaisin
Cellulose magnesium stearate
Clam
citrus spp.
Celosia
Coffee senna
Cheese
Cambodium Cardamom
Chinese Cabbage
Color
Conehead Thyme
Currant
Calcium Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Cannabichromene
Carboxylic acid
Coconut fiber
Carboxy methylcellulose
Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Cellulose derivatives
Chondrus
Duodenum
Dihydrocapsaicin
Dahlian fiber
Dextrin White
Diatase
Duodenal Substance
Digestion resistant Maltodextrin
Dragonhead
Dianthrone
Dwarf lilyturf
Date
Dulse
Diterpenes
Docusate calcium
Docusate Sodium
Dwarf Bilberry
Digestion resistant Dextrin
Durum Wheat
Empresstree
Embelia ribes
Ethylcellulose
Eclipta
Ethocel
Ethyl Cellulose
Essential oil (unspecified)
European Buckthorn
esters
esters (unspecified)
Fig
Fiber Blend
Fruit & Vegetable Blend
Flax
Fruit (unspecified)
Fucoidan
Fiber
Flour (unspecified)
Flavonoid
Flour
Flavonoids
Frangula
Flavonoid glycosides
Filler
Fungus
Flavonoid (unspecified)
Flowering quince
Fatty Acid (unspecified)
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Finger Leaf Morning Glory
Flaxseed
Flavoglycosides
Fruit (unspecified)
Fiber (unspecified)
Fungus (unspecified)
Flour (unspecified,enriched)
Fruit acid (unspecified)
Flavonones
Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Fruit Blend
Fennel
Fish (including shell)
Fructan (unspecified)
Ghee
Glucoside (unspecified)
Guava
Gingerol
Galactomannan
Goldthread (unspecified)
gum (unspecified)
Gland (unspecified)
Glycyrrhiza (unspecified)
Glycoside (unspecified)
Glycerol microcrystalline cellulose
Guar
Greater galangal
Grain (unspecified)
Gallotannin (unspecified)
Glyceride (unspecified)
Galactooligosaccharides
Gum karaya
GTCP
Gum stabilizers
Gardenia
Gentianella alnorosea
Ginger oleoresin
Glucofrangulin
Guar Gum
Galangal
Glycoprotein (unspecified)
Galanga
Ginger
Ginger phenols (unspecified)
Hu Zhang
Himalayan Rhubarb
Honey Bee
Hydroxyanthracene derivative
Hydroxycellulose
Hedyotis (unspecified)
Hygrophila
Honey
Hedyotis
Hydroxyanthracene
Holarrhena (unspecified)
Hoenelen
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
HydroxypropylDistarch Phosphate
Hazelnut
Herbal Blend
Holy Basil
Hyacinth bean
Humic acid
High amylose polysaccharide
Hyproxypropyl cellulose
Himalaya Berry
Hydroxypropylcellulose
Hydroxyethoxypropyl Methylcellulose
Inulin growth factor
Irish Moss
Indian Madder
Indian Rhubarb (herb powder)
iridoids
Isothiocyanate
Indian Cassia
Indian Jalap
Ilex (unspecified)
Indian Long Pepper
Ignatius Bean
Indian Kinotree
Isomalto-oligosaccharide
Indian mallow
Indian Rhubarb
Japanese Apricot
Juice (unspecified)
Japanese Mint
Jalapa
Jalap
Jungli-bean
Jujube
Jalapa (unspecified)
Kukicha
Karaya Gum
Kombucha Tea
Kefir
Kefir
Kurtha zopfil
lemongrass
Lactitol
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Leek
Lactobacillus delbrueckii lactis
Laxosterone
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lebbek
Licorice (unspecified)
lettuce
Ligustilide
Lactobacillus (unspecified)
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus (various species)
Ligustilides
Luffa
Lipids (unspecified)
Lesser Galangal
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lodhtree
Lactobacillus (mixed)
Lingustilides
Lemon
Lactobacillus mixed)
Ligusticum
Lipids
Lactobacillus (unspepcified)
Lactitol
methylcellulose
Mannanoligosaccharides
Malt (unspecitied)
mineral (unspecified)
mango
Moringa
Magnesium ascorbate
Malt (Barley)
Manna
Mucilage
Magnesium Oligofructose
Morinda
Mandarin
Magnesium Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Marine Protein
Magnesium ascorbate
Magnesium citrate oxide
Monoterpenes
Morinda (unspecified)
Milk
maritime Pine
Molluscs
Mountain pepper (unspecified)
Mineral Oil
Methyl cellulose
Magnesium
Magnesium hydrogen sulfate
Marine colloids
Methylcarboxy methylcellulose
Mushroom (various)
Meadowsweet
Mushroom (unspecified)
milk
Maple (unspecified)
Magnesium
Nux Vomica
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg & Mace
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Orange (unspecified)
Oregon Barberry
onion
Oligosaccharide (unspecified)
Oat Fiber
Oligosaccharide (unspecified)
Oligosaccharide
Oligosaccharides
Olive Oil
organic acid (unspecified)
Orsa salt
Operculina turpethum
Osmanthus
Organic Greens
Oryza Sativa
orange pigment
Pear
phenyl alkyl ketones
Poria Mushrooms
Proprietary Blend (Fatty Acid or Fat/Oil supplement)
Purslane
Phyllanthus (unspecified)
Psyllium fiber
Polysaccharide
Proanthocyanidins (unspecified)
Prune
Peach
Psyllium (not specified)
Palmyra
Phenylpropanoids (unspecified)
Polymer (unspecified)
Phaeophyceae (unspecified)
Prebiotic (unspecified)
PEG (Polyethylene Glycol )
Polyethylene glycol
Pumpkin
Polysaccharides
Plantago
Polyphenols
Peptide (unspecified)
peanut butter
Phenolic Acid
Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. Shermanii
Potato
Polygonatum (unspecified)
Proanthocyanidins (unspecified)
Plum fiber
Polyethylene glycols
Polymer (unspecified)
Protein (vegetable)
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
Papaya
Phosphate Salt
Probiotics
Plum
Psyllium (unspecified)
Pollen
Pepper (unspecified)
Pansit-pansitan
Phthalide
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Polyphenols (unspecified)
Polygalacturonase
Plankton fossil
Piper nigrum
Pineapple
Pregelatinized starch
polyphenols (various)
Polypeptide (unspecified)
Probiotic (unspecified)
Plantain
Plantain (unspecifed)
Pretty Face
Peptide (unspecified)
Polygonum (unspecified)
Pungent compounds (unspecified)
Polyoxyl Castor Oil
Plantago (unspecified)
Peony (unspecified)
Pectin
phenolics (various)
Polyol (unspecified)
peach fiber
Qunice
Romaine Lettuce
Red Pineapple
Rhapontic rubarb
Rice
Rosemary antioxidant S-32
Radish
Raspberry
Red seaweed (unspecified)
Rhapontic rhubarb
Rasperries (mixed)
Rubiaceae (unspecified)
Rice Bran
Red Raspberry
Rosemary
Rhus coriaria
Rhamnus Nakaharai
Reed Herb
Red Sage
Rhubarb (unspecified)
Rhubarb
Ricinoleic acid
Sennosides
Sulfate
Schizonepeta
Southern Prickly Ash
Sicklepod
Sichuan Fritillary
Sesbania
Sugar cane
Senna (unspecified)
Sete sangrias
Solanaceae (unspecified)
Sennoside
Sesquiterpenes
Sea vegetation (unspecified)
sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
Sarsaparilla
Sweet Orange
Senna
Stomach
Sodium Bicarbonate
Stabilizers
Solanum indicum
Sea water
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Safflower
Serum
Silicated cellulose
Syrup
Saccharomyces cerevisiae peptides
Sweet Almond
scallion
Silicified microcrystalline cellulose
Salt (Himalayan)
Sage-leaf alangium
Sicilian Sumac
Slippery Elm
Sinigrin
Saccharomyces cerevisae
Sesame Oil
Streptococcus Thermophilus
Sorbitol
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Sodium Phosphate
Sodium Sulfate
Squash (unspecified)
Stomach
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sugar Cane Fiber
Sugarcance fiber
Stabilizer
Suspension matrix
Spinach Powder
Spinach
Sargassum
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
seaweed
Sickle Senna
Sedanenolide
Sorbitol ester
Terpenoids
Tea (unspecified)
Terpene
Tea (mixed)
Turnip
Thymoquinone
Taraxacin
Tamaricaceae (unspecified)
Tea (not specified)
triglyceride
Tayuya
Taraxacum mongolicum
Terminalia (unspecified)
Thatch screw-pine
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Torula Yeast
Trichosanthes
Tomato
Taka amylase
Tamarind
Tall Kale
Tree (unspecified)
Taraxol
Vegetable (unspecified)
vegetable gum (unspecified)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxamine)
Vegetarian Capsule
Vietnamese sophora
Vegetable Juice
Vitamin B
Vitamin B6 (not specified)
Violet (unspecified)
Vegetable Fiber (unspecified)
Water
Wheat Bran
White Tea
Wax Gourd
White Rice
White Pear
Wheat
White Sorghum syrup
White Rice
Wool
Wine (unspecified)
Xylooligosaccharides
Yerba buena
Yogurt
Yacon
Yogurt
Yam (unspecified)
Yeast
Zucchini
Zedoary
Zingerone
