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Constipation is a common condition in young children, the cause can come from diet or disease. When children are constipated, parents should not be too worried, because now there are drugs to treat constipation for children. So what medicine do children with constipation take?
1. Levels and causes of constipation in children
Just like adults, children's constipation is caused by a few main reasons:
Nutrition: children do not drink enough water or eat enough fiber-rich foods, making the digestive system work. poor movement, from which it is difficult to expel stool. Holding urine: Because many children are busy playing, many children often hold their urine, if this happens often, it will be the cause of constipation in children. Because when children hold their stools, they will accumulate in the intestine more and more and become harder, it is very difficult to expel. Children sedentary: children sitting a lot, sedentary is the leading cause of constipation. The cause is determined that when the body is sedentary, the intestines will be less active, gradually leading to constipation. Medication use: some medications can lead to constipation, for example some cough medicines, anticonvulsants, antihistamines for allergies. Children are considered constipated if they have fewer than three bowel movements per week, and the stools are small, hard, or broken. Children with bowel movements have to push, have abdominal pain and have very little bowel movements.
Currently, the state of constipation in children is classified according to the following levels:
Level 1: Dry stools Level 2: Lot, small stools like goat droppings Level 3: Large molds, cracks Level 4 : Dry, lumpy stools Level 5: Big, hard, bloody In fact, constipation in children is usually not too serious and not all cases should be used by children. Before using the drug, children should be examined and prescribed by a specialist doctor to ensure its effectiveness in treating constipation.
2. Constipated baby should take what medicine?
Many parents when their children are constipated are often very worried and wonder what medicine children with constipation take? Currently, on the market, there are many drugs to treat constipation for children such as:
2.1 Constipation drugs to create mass : jelly, agar-agar, wheat bran, sterculia gum. The drug, when entering the body, will have the property of absorbing water and swelling, increasing the volume of stools, stimulating bowel movements, making stools soft to easily push out stools. Because the drug sucks a lot of water, during the use of the drug, parents need to remind their children to regularly drink enough water. When drinking enough water, the drug is necessary to treat constipation.
2 . 2 Drugs for constipation increase osmosis Drugs have the effect of reducing water absorption in the intestinal wall, increasing the amount of water in the intestinal lumen, making stools softer. Some drugs are sugar-based, such as lactulose (Duphalac), sorbitol (Sorbitol), or a polymer called a polymer called polyethylene glycol.
2.3 Stool softeners Usually administered rectally, ie pumped into the anus. The drug comes in the form of a pump containing glycerol (Rectiofar)) injected into the anus, which is quite suitable for children.
Basically, medicines for constipation for children all work on the basis of a mechanism to help soften stools to make stools easier to pass. In the process of taking medication, parents need to be very patient, because sometimes the drug will not bring about immediate effects, but it takes time. In addition, the use of drugs in children needs to be used in the right amount and in the right dose to ensure the best health for the child. In case of abuse, it can irritate the rectal mucosa and damage the mucosa.
3. How to take care of children with constipation?
Once you have the answer to the question, what medicine do children with constipation take? Parents should also pay attention to the issue of child care when the child is constipated. A healthy diet and activities combined with medication will bring better treatment results for children.
Give your baby a lot of water: Water can be filtered water, milk, fresh fruit. Children from 1-3 years old need to drink 500-600ml of water/day. Limit your child's intake of soft drinks and carbonated drinks. Add more green vegetables, ripe fruits: A high-fiber diet is the best choice for children with constipation. Vegetables that should be included in the child's diet include: sweet potato, spinach, sweet potato, papaya, banana, orange, grapefruit. During the time when the child is constipated, the mother should not let her child eat a lot of fried and processed foods, because this will make the condition worse. Rub your baby's tummy: Rubbing the belly is an effective way to relieve constipation. Parents should clockwise 3-4 times a day at the interval between two meals. Besides, encourage your child to participate in more physical activities to be good for the digestive system. Inulin, probiotics: In some cases, parents can add Inulin, probiotics with the aim of helping the digestive tract to soften stools and make stools easier to pass. In the event that the above methods have been fully applied, but the child's constipation does not improve, at this time, parents should take their child to a medical facility to be checked. Because sometimes constipation is also a warning sign of a certain disease in the child.
Pediatrics Department - Vinmec International General Hospital is the address chosen by many parents to examine and treat common diseases in children such as constipation, otitis media, infectious fever, pneumonia. in children,... With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, a team of leading specialists with rich professional experience will help with the visit. Examination is no longer a concern of parents.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
