What Causes Constipation?

Discussion Constipation generally is defined as infrequent or painful defecation. Constipation can be very disturbing to the patient and family who believe the stools are too infrequent, too hard or too difficult to pass. Most children develop constipation after the child begins to associate pain (e.g. a hard bowel movement) with defecation. The child then begins to withhold the stools trying to decrease the defecation discomfort. As stool withholding continues, the rectum dilates and gradually accommodates with the normal defecation urge disappearing. Passing large hard stools infrequently reinforces the defecation pain. The cycle continues. If the cycling is severe enough, worsening stool retention and more abnormal defecation dynamics occurs. Chronic rectal distension results in both loss of rectal sensitivity, and loss of urge to defecate, which can lead to encopresis. Treatment basics include: Evacuate the colon – a clean out by enemas or oral medication Stop painful defecation – by using laxatives in a maintenance regimen so patients have a soft stool daily Establish regular bowel habits – through toilet sitting A balanced diet is important and increasing dietary fiber may also help. Medications include osmotic laxatives, stimulant laxatives, stool softeners and lubricants. MiraLaxTM is polyethylene glycol, is an osmotic laxative, and pool research studies show that it may be superior to placebo, milk of magnesia or lactulose. It is usually used as a...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news