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Hi Keira,
I think I need more
info...are your children's stools hard and "clay-like"? Are your
children on well rounded meals that include fresh vegetables and fruits?
Or, is their diet predominantly meats and milk? Do they snack? If so,
what on? Also, what does your doctor think?
To answer your question...I
don't think that every constipation remedy will work on every child, but
try one or two, and see if they work. The prevention of constipation
revolves primarily around a good diet (that includes fiber), exercise,
and fluids.
You probably read this, but
I pulled a previous response about constipation below. If it doesn't
help you, please let me know.
"About 5-20% of the general
population has chronic constipation.
Some parents think their
child is constipated because he/she strains with bowel movement, but
that can be NORMAL. Straining with bowel movement is not necessarily a
sign of constipation if the stools are soft, brown and regular. Stools
of constipation are usually hard and sometimes "rock-like".
Constipation is generally a
result of our diet, but less common causes include hypothyroidism,
hypercalcemia, renal disease, and Hirschprung's disease.
High fiber foods such as
fruits and vegetables help keep us regular. "An apple a day keeps the
Doctor away".
Treatment for "true
constipation" includes malt supex, prune juice, mineral oil and/or milk
of magnesia. Successful treatment means your child has 1 - 3 bowel
movements a day. It is best to avoid long term use of castor oil, senna,
or Dulcolax, because the body begins to "need them" for every bowel
movement.
Thank you for your question.
Dr. Mike
This
article was reviewed
04/23/2010 07:24 AM
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