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Suggest Remedies For Severe Constipation In A Child

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Posted on Sat, 17 Dec 2016
Question: My 5 year old came home from school yesterday and sat on the potty for approximately an hour and a half, saying he needed to have a bowel movement, but couldn't get anything out. I tried giving him a half of a fleet glycerin enema, and this did not help. He said his tummy hurt and went and lay down. He fell asleep around 7 and woke up around 7 this morning and tried to go to the potty again and was not able to. He is urinating ok. All day he was lethargic and lay around with not much energy, at three I gave him some milk of magnesia, which he vomited up about ten minutes later, then at 4 he tried to go potty again. This time I gave him a whole fleet glycerin enema. We sat there for an hour and he finally passed one small hard stool. He said he still felt like he had to go, but he wanted to go lay down because his tummy hurt. He has been asleep since 5 and it is now 8:37pm. Please advise. I did give him ibuprofen at 5 also. I have not noticed any fever.Also, he has been drinking small amounts of water throughout the day, but seems to get full fast and cannot drink much at a time. Also he has no appetite.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Fiber foods need to be increased

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone very carefully through your query. Incidentally, constipation in children has become a very frequently encountered problem these days. The primary reason for the same is lack of adequate play as well as the lack of adequate amounts of fiber containing foods in diet.

Going through the following link should help:
http://patient.info/health/constipation-in-children-leaflet

The mainstay of treatment would be to increase the total dietary fiber consumption. Glycerine enema or Milk of Magnesia can be given safely. Wheat, corn, and rice XXXXXXX are high in insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation. XXXXXXX can be sprinkled into his favorite foods, from hot cereal and pancakes to muffins and cookies. Many popular high-fiber cereals and bars are also packed with XXXXXXX Beans really are the magical fruit. Isabgol (psyllium husk) or senna can also be given as fiber supplements.

Make sure that he drinks plenty of water and goes to pass stool at a regular time every day (irrespective of whether he feels an urge to pass). This will demote stool holding habits and would promote regular bowel habits.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (12 minutes later)
So, i should not be concerned over how much he is sleeping? It seems excessive. Do constipated children usually experience lethargy to this extent? He is responsive when i speak to him, but does not open his eyes and seems to go right back to sleep after answering me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It might be a good idea to get him evaluated by a pediatrician.

Detailed Answer:
No, constipation and lethargy are seemingly unrelated. In that case it might be a good idea to get him evaluated by a pediatrician.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Suggest Remedies For Severe Constipation In A Child

Brief Answer: Fiber foods need to be increased Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone very carefully through your query. Incidentally, constipation in children has become a very frequently encountered problem these days. The primary reason for the same is lack of adequate play as well as the lack of adequate amounts of fiber containing foods in diet. Going through the following link should help: http://patient.info/health/constipation-in-children-leaflet The mainstay of treatment would be to increase the total dietary fiber consumption. Glycerine enema or Milk of Magnesia can be given safely. Wheat, corn, and rice XXXXXXX are high in insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation. XXXXXXX can be sprinkled into his favorite foods, from hot cereal and pancakes to muffins and cookies. Many popular high-fiber cereals and bars are also packed with XXXXXXX Beans really are the magical fruit. Isabgol (psyllium husk) or senna can also be given as fiber supplements. Make sure that he drinks plenty of water and goes to pass stool at a regular time every day (irrespective of whether he feels an urge to pass). This will demote stool holding habits and would promote regular bowel habits. Let me know if I could help further. Regards