Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a medical condition which affects the bowel habits of many people young and old alike. There are many variations of IBS, but the most common are constipation and diarrhea which either occur on an alternating basis or with one being dominant over the other.
Straining
Children with constipation-dominant IBS often strain during bowel movements. The child feels the urge to have a bowel movement, but simply cannot have one when he sits on the toilet. While occasional straining during a bowel movement isn't cause for alarm, if your child suddenly and regularly begins straining to have a bowel movement this could be an indicator of irritable bowel syndrome.
Alternating Constipation and Diarrhea
Similar to adults with irritable bowel syndrome, children with the disease often alternate between episodes of diarrhea and constipation.
Fecal Soiling
If you notice fecal soiling (skid marks) in your child's underwear while doing laundry, this can indicate constipation because hardened fecal matter leaks from the rectum and into the child's underwear. If you notice soiling, be sure your child is cleaning properly after a bowel movement. If your child is cleaning p
Delaying Bowel Movements
Children with constipation often delay bowel movements because they associate bowel movements with pain. Delaying bowel movements will only worsen the constipation by making it both more severe and more difficult to treat. If your child suffers from frequent constipation, make sure that she sets aside a few minutes several times each day to use the bathroom.
Appearance of Stool
Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome produces watery and frequent stools. Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in children means that stools may be lumpy and hard, small and hard or dry. The color of stools associated with constipation in children is often dark brown. If your child alternates between diarrhea and constipation, irritable bowel syndrome may be the culprit.
Mucous in Stool
Stool which appears to have a wrapping similar to that of a caramel-chocolate candy bar is stool mixed in with rectal mucous. The mucous is caused by hardening of the stool during episodes of IBS with constipation.
Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children
Discuss your child's irritable bowel syndrome with a pediatrician. In tandem with your child and the pediatrician, you should develop a checklist of your child's bowel habits and a treatment regimen including dietary modifications, short term use of both laxatives and anti-diarrhea medications as needed to treat your child's IBS.
Tags: your child, bowel movement, bowel movements, with constipation, bowel syndrome