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Can You Help a Child With Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Can you Help a Child with Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Most people think that it is only adults that suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. No one would ever dream of suspecting that their child would suffer from such a painful, uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing condition.
However, children can and do suffer from this uncomfortable digestive disorder that causes bloating, gas and abdominal pain. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is characterised as a functional disorder that is thought to be caused by a problem in the intestines. This problem is thought to be the major cause of the recurring abdominal pain suffered by children and adults alike.
The symptoms that the child would generally experience are abdominal pain and cramping which will usually be relived when the child has had a bowel movement. The child may also suffer from bouts of constipation and/or diarrhoea. Again, these symptoms are almost identical to those that would be suffered by an adult.
Obviously any of these symptoms will be very scary for a child. No-one wants to see their child in pain or discomfort and that is why it is very important to get a proper diagnosis from your Doctor in order to help your child with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Getting a Clear Diagnosis
Changing your Child’s diet may be recommended as the first course of action by your Doctor. Many sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome benefit from changing their diet to include more fibre and drinking more water along with eating more fruit and vegetables while also eating less fatty, greasy food.
Medications can be prescribed but as children are generally very susceptible to medications the first course of action should be the changes to their diet. Obviously these changes may take a little bit of time to incorporate into their daily routine. Everyone knows the many excuses children will come up with in order to avoid anything healthy!
However, even the smallest changes to their diet can have a huge effect. As an example changing from white bread to brown wholemeal, getting them to eat an extra piece of fruit a day, these changes although small can have a huge effect on their symptoms.
Making these changes can be easier when the child is a little older. When I first attempted to make these changes with my daughter, when she was very young, it was extremely difficult. She would stubbornly not try any new foods! However, as she has got older, she is now almost 6 years old, she is more aware of her situation and the effect eating certain foods can have on her symptoms.
Most Doctors do not know why children suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome and they generally think children will grow out of the condition. However, if you try making the changes to their diet and the symptoms do not improve, you need to follow up with your Doctor. There are medications available that can help and also some relaxation techniques that the Doctor can show you so you can help your child when they are suffering from an attack of certain symptoms.
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A Healthy Child And Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief
There are many conditions and illnesses that can effect the wellbeing of your child and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a particularly difficult one for them to cope with.
IBS is a common intestinal disorder that causes cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation in a child. Sometimes, it is also known as “nervous stomach” or a “spastic colon.”
In adults, the colon or large intestine is about 6 feet long. It connects the small intestine with the rectum and anus. The Colon performs the major function of absorbing water and salts from digestive products that enter from the small intestine.
The digestive products may remain in the large intestine for several days until most of the fluid and salts are absorbed into the body. The undigested part of the food is then passes through the colon by muscle contractions.
Nerves, hormones and electrical activity in the colon muscles control the colon motility (contraction of intestinal muscles and the movement of the contents).
Colon movements propel the contents slowly to the rectum. The material is then stored to the left side of the colon and remains there until a bowel movement occurs.
When having a normal bowel movement, the muscles of the colon and the rest of the body have to work in sync. When this process is interrupted, the undigested food particles of the colon don’t move through as intended resulting in either constipation or diarrhea.
Specific treatment of irritable bowel syndrome varies from child to child. The main objective of treatment is to restore normal daily bowel function as early as possible. It begins with the positive diagnosis of IBS, which gives the child reassurance that he or she does not have any life-threatening condition.
The physician based on child’s age, overall health, and extent of the problem determines the method of treatment for IBS. The physician may ask you about medical history of the child and the irritable bowel syndrome symptoms present, so it’s recommended that you make a note of their bowel habits in the run up to the visit to the doctor.
Often children with IBS can feel uncomfortable and embarrassed about their condition and don’t want their peer group to know. There can be some psychological impacts that need to be managed carefully. Ask your doctor about counseling if you think it would help them come to terms with their symptoms.
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While treating the condition, it is important to identify and relieve stresses surrounding the child. Parents and teachers are encouraged to support the child rather than concentrating on the pain. Usually if the child is helped to focus on something fun or pleasant during a painful episode it can help.
There have been various debates about the use of high fiber foods in children as they can caused bloating and gas, however they may be a good option if the child is suffering with constipation. It is best to introduce fiber slowly and build up over time, allowing the body to become used to it and therefore reducing the possibility of bloating and gas.
Medications may be recommended, although it is usually avoided whenever possible, and will depend on the severity of the symptoms. Also biofeedback and acupuncture have become part integral parts of the treatment strategy for some children.
Remember that the child is not defined by their condition. The child and irritable bowel syndrome are not linked at a psychological level, and managing the symptoms as a normal activity is important. IBS is something that needs to be managed, and if it is, a child can lead a normal functioning life.
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Posted in Bowel movements | 
Tags: Bowel, Child, Healthy, Irritable, Relief, Syndrome | 
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