Constipation Health Article

Constipation

Difficulty with producing a bowel movement, or infrequent bowel movements.

Constipation, a condition that can affect the human digestive system at any stage of life, is rarely serious or chronic. Because bowel functions vary from individual to individual, the individual's own normal pattern should be taken into consideration when constipation is suspected. For this reason, it is important for parents and caregivers to be familiar with the bowel patterns of their infants and young children. Although constipation may cause considerable discomfort, a return to normal bowel function is usually accomplished within a day or two.

Constipation is caused when the muscles at the end of the large intestine restrict the fecal material from passing through and out of the body. A tendency toward constipation seems to be hereditary. The longer the fecal material is "stalled" in the large intestine, the drier it becomes, making it more difficult and even painful to pass. For children, the discomfort associated with passing a dry stool may cause them to avoid the process, thereby exacerbating the problem.

Infants

With young infants, constipation is rare, and it is not typically experienced until the infant begins solid foods. In an infant whose diet includes solid foods, constipation may be suspected if at least one bowel movement is not produced each day, or if the stool seems unusually firm or dry. An infant experiencing repeated or chronic bouts of constipation should be seen by a pediatrician, who can assess whether a digestive disorder is the cause. Constipation in breastfed babies is uncommon and almost always related to something other than diet.

One possible cause of constipation in infants under the age of one year is the switch from formula to cow's milk. Cow's milk is more likely than formula to cause constipation, and temporarily switching back to formula may alleviate the constipation. If the infant has started solid foods, an increase in dietary fiber may relieve the infant. High-fiber foods suitable for infants include prunes, apricots, plums, peas, beans, and broccoli. Cutting back on bananas and rice, both of which contribute to constipation, may also help.