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12 Yr Experiences Bowel Incontinence And Constipation. Suggest Permanent Cure?
Posted on
Wed, 17 Jul 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 17 Jul 2013
Answered on
Tue, 20 Aug 2013
Last reviewed on
Question : 12 yr old grandson experience bowel incontinence plus constapation 3dr visits still happens so embarrassed he needs a proper diagnosis.
question about grandson .has been to 1 pediatric dr and 1 pediatric gastro dr. NO results he has constipation and then bowel incontinence. Mother has followed all dr directions this is been going on for 3 years?????/ What else can be done.?
question about grandson .has been to 1 pediatric dr and 1 pediatric gastro dr. NO results he has constipation and then bowel incontinence. Mother has followed all dr directions this is been going on for 3 years?????/ What else can be done.?
Hi
Thanks for asking.
Bowel incontinence and constipation is a troublesome symptom in children and it is not uncommon.Although it is not uncommon for young children to have occasional "accidents," there may be a problem if this behavior occurs repeatedly for longer than three months, particularly in children older than 5 years.
The most common cause of encopresis ( Bowel Incontinence) is chronic (long-term) constipation, the inability to release stools from the bowel. This may occur for several reasons, including stress, not drinking enough water (which makes the stools hard and difficult to pass) and pain caused by a sore in or near the anus.
Factors that may contribute to constipation include:
A diet low in fiber
Lack of exercise
Fear or reluctance to use unfamiliar bathrooms, such as public restrooms
Not taking the time to use the bathroom
Changes in bathroom routines; for example, scheduled bathroom breaks at school or camp.
or there may be structural problem with the bowel which needs to be assessed by appropriate investigations.
Hypothyroidism is also very important cause of chronic constipation in young children.
Please try to rule out the simple causes first, if still no response then he may need hormonal checking along with other tests to see the functions of the gut.
Thanks.
Please let me know if you need further information.
Thanks for asking.
Bowel incontinence and constipation is a troublesome symptom in children and it is not uncommon.Although it is not uncommon for young children to have occasional "accidents," there may be a problem if this behavior occurs repeatedly for longer than three months, particularly in children older than 5 years.
The most common cause of encopresis ( Bowel Incontinence) is chronic (long-term) constipation, the inability to release stools from the bowel. This may occur for several reasons, including stress, not drinking enough water (which makes the stools hard and difficult to pass) and pain caused by a sore in or near the anus.
Factors that may contribute to constipation include:
A diet low in fiber
Lack of exercise
Fear or reluctance to use unfamiliar bathrooms, such as public restrooms
Not taking the time to use the bathroom
Changes in bathroom routines; for example, scheduled bathroom breaks at school or camp.
or there may be structural problem with the bowel which needs to be assessed by appropriate investigations.
Hypothyroidism is also very important cause of chronic constipation in young children.
Please try to rule out the simple causes first, if still no response then he may need hormonal checking along with other tests to see the functions of the gut.
Thanks.
Please let me know if you need further information.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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