Constipation Is Very Common Under Age Of Five!!

Constipation is very common under age five

Constipation can be explained by infrequent, incomplete evacuation of hard, dried stools. It is a most common physical disorder of the intestine. A child is considered constipated when he or she has fewer than three bowel movement in a week also, the stool becomes hard , dry and enlarged , and also he or she faces problem while discharging the feces.

Cause of constipation:

1. Lack of fluid: heat and play activity cause profuse perspiration. This leaves a small quantity of hard, dry feces which doesn’t produce enough distension to initiates reflex evacuation.
2. Lack of roughage: irregular food habit, food containing unabsorbed cellulose in form of vegetable fiber.
3. Irregular habits: Sometimes in the hurry to reach morning school, or laziness can kill the regular habit of bowel evacuation.
4. Lack of potassium : Due to lack of intake of green leafy vegetable , fruit and fruit juices cause agony and constipation
5. Physical condition: Sometimes it is found that an anatomical problem with the intestine or rectum can cause constipation. Other nervous system disorders  and cerebral palsy can  affect a child’s motor movement which can prevent to go to the bathroom.

Prevalence of constipation in children

About 3 out of 5 children in the urban area are affected by constipation. In rural area 2 out of 5 are affected by constipation

Symptoms of constipation

1. Swollen abdomen and pain in abdomen
2. Hard , big or small fragmented stool
3. Trouble to pass the stool out of the body ( straining)
4. a sense that everything has not been excreted properly.
5. Bowel movement after long gap of days
6. Vomiting can be seen in some cases

Type of constipation

• Spastic constipation results from excessive tone of the colonic muscle
• Obstructive constipation is usually due to cancer or structure of colon

Complication of constipation

Distension of the bowel due to accumulated feces may produce malaise, headache, apathy. Straining during evacuation lead to fissures, piles, prolapses of rectum.

Management of constipation

Diet

Calorie and protein: fat stimulates flow of bile and also lubricate the bowel. Fried foof should be avoided

Carbohydrate: Bulk can be provided by unrefined cereal which contains bran. Bananas and dried food like prunes, figs, raisins, dates and apricots provide fibre and useful adjuncts.

Mineral:  Potassium in form of vegetable juice , green vegetable curry , fruit juice or potassium salt prevent constipation.

Fluid : 10 glasses of water , it can be in form of lassi , butter milk , juice , dal water can be given

Fibre: Fibre retains water increases bulk causes colonic distension and increases population with peristaltic waves.

Other measure

Exercise, abdominal message, hydrophilic colloids (ishapgul, china glass),lactose, lactulose, liquid paraffin, milk of magnesia are beneficial to treat constipation.

Healthy recipes that can be introduced to prevent constipation

1. Oats khichdi
2. Brown rich pulao
3. Mixed vegetable corn soup
4. Vegetable Frankie
5. Lapsi (wheat porridge )
6. Green papaya salad

Constipation in childhood below 5 years is more common due to junk food and bad lifestyle. If we make the children adapt healthy lifestyle it can cure constipation. colored salad with good dressing, homemade muesli, mixed fruit custard, whole meal homemade pasta which are the example of few dishes which may keep children happy and help to get rid of constipation .