Constipation is a very common digestive problem in children which can lead to discomfort, irritation and even long-term issues if not managed properly. While occasional constipation is very much normal but chronic constipation is defined as infrequent or difficult bowel movement for several weeks or even more than that because it can affect the appetite, mood and quality of life of kids very adversely. Although medical intervention will be required in some of the intense cases but many cases of chronic constipation can be managed at home through dietary changes, lifestyle habits and the best suggestions of pediatric gastroenterologist Attapur.
Some common home remedies that you can go for:
- Increasing the fibre intake: Fibre will always be successful in adding bulk to the stool and further will be helpful in making sure that it will move easily through the digestive tract. Many children with constipation are not getting enough fibre in their diet and further to improve the fibre intake offering them more of the fruits like apples, bananas, berries and other options will be important. Including the vegetables like carrot, peas, broccoli and spinach into the diet of the kids will also be equally important and further serving them with whole grain items like oatmeal, brown rice and whole wheat bread will always be recommended to avoid any issue. You should always focus on aiming to give your child approximately 5g of fibre every day until the six years age of and after that 11g of fibre every day to avoid any such problems of constipation.
- Encouraging plenty of lower consumption: Dehydration will lead to a significant number of issues associated with constipation because it will make the stool passing very hard and difficult to pass. Encouraging your children to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day specifically water, warm fluids and fresh fruit juices will be important to avoid any problem. Further, you should focus on avoiding sugary sodas and caffeinated beverages because they will make the entire situation much worse in comparison to any other problem.
- It is important to establish a regular toilet routine: Children will usually ignore the urge to have a bowel movement especially whenever they are busy playing or are at school. This will be leading to chronic constipation over the time and to further make sure that you are getting the things done on the right track, encouraging your children to sit on the toilet for approximately 5-10 minutes after meals specifically the breakfast will be important and making the toilet time much more relaxed will be highly recommended. Using the footstool to support the feet and promoting the natural positions will be very important so that it becomes very easy to pass these tools. Creating such deals will always be successful in training the kids in the right direction and further will be able to regularly provide them with a good hold over the stool passing.
- Using the natural laxative foods: The paediatric gastroenterologists in Attapur very well recommend that the parents provide the kids with natural laxative food items including flaxseeds, Chia seeds and papaya. All such food items will contain the enzymes which help in improving digestion and also help in creating stools very softly. Also introducing the new foods gradually with age-appropriate portions will be very much recommended for people so that everything will be safe and secure and there will be no chance of any kind of problems. This will allow you to get the things done on the right track very easily and further there will be no scope of any kind of practical difficulty for anybody at any point in time.
- Promoting the overall physical activity: Another very important aspect that you have to take very seriously is to focus on promoting the physical activity because the physical movement will be helpful in stimulating the direction and will further be helpful in improving the functioning. Encouraging your kids to play outdoors, ride a bike, dance or engage in active games and walk or stretch regularly will be very important so that things are very well sorted out. Even 30-60 minutes of activity every day will make sure that there will be a noticeable difference in improving the bowel movement so that there is no chance of any kind of problem at any point in time.
- It is important to limit the consumption of processed and low fibre food items: Highly processed snacks like chips, white bread and fast food will slow down digestion and contribute to contribution towards constipation. So, focusing on limiting the consumption of processed and low fibre foods will be important and additionally, you can go for replacing them with healthier alternatives like fruit slices, yoghurt with seeds and whole grain crackers to avoid any problem. This will allow you to get the things done on the right track very easily and further you will be able to make sure that kids will be able to develop good eating habits right from the beginning.
- Promoting a very calm and composed environment: Eating in any kind of rushed or stressful environment will lead to a significant number of issues and the doctors at neurology hospital for kids very well recommend that the parents focus on creating a very calm and composed environment for eating in the cases of kids. Regular family meals without any distraction of smartphones or TV will be highly recommended because this will be helpful in promoting slow and mindful eating without any problem. Additionally focusing on the consumption of water with meals will be important to improve the direction and good eating habits in this case will be eventually successful in supporting the functioning with the reduction of digestive discomfort.
Conclusion: In addition to the home remedies if you are facing a significant number of issues then you should get in touch with the doctors as soon as possible because the symptoms of passing blood in stool, painful experiences and symptoms of severe abdominal pain will always require specialised treatment. Hence the chronic constipation in kids could be very much distressing but usually it is very easily manageable with simple home remedies by increasing the fibre and water intake along with other remedies as mentioned above. So, by being patient and consistent with the practices mentioned above you will be able to make your children feel much more comfortable, confident and healthy every day.