If you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome , there is a higher chance your child may have it also. Symptoms of IBS do surface in children; in fact 33% of adult sufferers can trace their symptoms back to childhood.
Symptoms
If your child is always complaining of a belly-ache, a headache, and has runny poop or can’t go at all, your child may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Run through your child’s medical history, and see if he or she had any of the following disorders. Irritable Bowel Syndrome in children shows up in a variety of ways as they grow and develop.
- Infantile colic
Did your baby cry inconsolably? Did he or she pass wind, vomit, and act restless? If so, these symptoms may have been worse in the evening. Your doctor may or may not have been able to offer effective remedies, as it is notoriously difficult to treat.
- Gastroesophageal reflux
Acid in the esophagus can be painful and is associated with heartburn in adults. In children, symptoms include repeated vomiting, spitting up, coughing, and other respiratory problems. They may also have been inconsolable criers, didn’t gain adequate weight, refused food, had bad breath, and burped excessively. Most babies outgrow the symptoms and it ceases to be a problem. But the symptoms can also reappear at later developmental stages.
- Chronic non-specific diarrhea
This chronic diarrhea has no known cause, but it is one of the most common complaints brought to pediatricians.
- Constipation
With constipation your child’s stool is hard, they have to strain to defecate, or never quite feel that they have finished a bowel movement.
Diagnosis
There is no single test that can confirm or deny the presence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in your child, because it is not a structural or biochemical disorder. It is usually diagnosed primarily through the absence of other explanations. Before it can be effectively diagnosed, doctors and gastroenterologists rule out all other possible bowel problems. So if you think your child may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, see your doctor to be certain of the cause of their symptoms.
Treatment
Though in severe cases, medication may be prescribed, Irritable Bowel Syndrome in children is primarily treated through managing their lifestyle.
Certain foods can trigger symptoms of IBS. Generally, it is a good idea to prepare foods for your child that are free of spices, caffeine, meals heavy in fat content, raw fruits and vegetables (and all forms of broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage). Create an Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet for your entire family, to make it easier on the child. Encourage snacking and small meals to avoid over stimulating his or her bowel.
Ask your doctor about fiber supplementation. Whether your child suffers from diarrhea or constipation will determine how much fiber you should add (or subtract) in their diet. If your child has diarrhea, a diet low in fiber is best. If he or she has constipation, high fiber eating can ease symptoms. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully because high fiber supplementation can actually produce gas and bloating.
Because the colon is connected to the nervous system, stress can trigger symptoms. Stress can over stimulate the brain and the nerves in your bowel, creating painful bowel activity.
Keeping children with IBS calm is also important. An environment designed to minimize stress can treat Irritable Bowel symptoms.
Everyone has stressors in their lives, but if you can manage your child’s life to minimize them, their comfort and overall quality of life can improve. IBS children can be active, but should not overexert themselves. Insert times into their day when they can relax, unwind, and calm down. Make this time of relaxation as important as eating.
You also may want to learn skills you can teach your child for stress-management. Getting all worked up about something will not only cause emotional pain, it can also become physical. As they learn to manage their emotions, your child’s Irritable Bowel symptoms can ease up. Plus, they will have coping skills that can carry through the rest of their lives.
Help your child answer the question, what is irritable bowel ? Because it can be the cause of accidents and embarrassment, it is a good idea to consult a child psychologist for ways to help your child accept the syndrome.