Question: I have an 8−year−old daughter who has severe problems with constipation. This began around the time her father and I separated four months ago. My daughter tells me that she hates going to the bathroom because it hurts. I feel so bad and I’m not sure why this is happening to her. What do you recommend?
Answer: First contact your pediatrician and rule out any medical problems. I contacted Dr. Alan Alexander, a well known pediatrician in Palm Desert, who explained that events such as family stress, changes in a child’s routine or just plain forgetting are events that can trigger constipation and other related problems. When the child holds back stool for a few days, it naturally hurts when it finally passes. A child then holds back stools to avoid this pain and thus begins the vicious cycle of stool hoarding, bigger and bigger stools, more pain and more holding back. After weeks and months of this behavior the rectum (where stool is kept before being expelled) loses its ability to contract and propel the stool outward. To encourage daily bowel movements, enact an incentive program that’s meaningful to your daughter to help her move toward eliminating the problem. Your child must re−learn that pooping doesn’t have to hurt. Be patient. It may take as long for this for a healthier routine to happen as it did for the child to develop the problem in the first place.
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