Be careful with incontinence in children

About 1.5% of school-age children suffer from incontinence. The general symptom of this illness is that the child has little control over his or her bowel movements. As a result, children need treatment to avoid alienation from their peers and develop negative emotions.

You can see that the child's pants are stained with feces and you think that it is due to accident or that the child refuses to go to the toilet, causing the stools to come out. However, this can also be a sign that the child has incontinence. If you have never heard of this disease, please follow the below sharing of aFamilyToday Health  .

Incontinence in young children

Incontinence in young children is a disease that comes from persistent constipation . Constipation makes the stools harder and harder to pass out. This causes the rectum to swell, interfering with its ability to feel the presence of the stool and allowing it to leak out.

What causes incontinence in young children?

1. Constipation

This is the leading cause of this disease. Constipation in young children can be caused by:

Low-fiber diet

Avoid defecation due to fear

Drink some water

Drink too much cow's milk.

2. Emotional factors

Sometimes emotional factors can be the cause of incontinence in young children:

Children have to face with stressful circumstances such as divorce, death of a parent.

Children are going through sudden changes such as starting school, changing their diet ...

Stopping going to the toilet can cause analysis to build up in the colon. The function of the colon is to absorb and make waste molds into feces for excretion. If the stool accumulates in the colon for too long, the water will be absorbed much, making the stool dry, hard, and difficult to excrete. This condition, if prolonged, will weaken the nerves and muscles of the colon, making it difficult to keep stool in the body, leading to a condition where the stool leaks out without your child's knowledge.

Signs of incontinence in young children

Pay attention to the following symptoms to see if your child has this disease:

Children often pass loose stools

Your baby may have a stomachache

Children can develop a urinary tract infection

Children may have scratches in the area around the anus

Children often hide dirty clothes

Children tend to stay away from friends or family members

Children feel anorexia.

Which children are at high risk of having incontinence?

Children with chronic constipation are at an increased risk of developing it. However, according to research, this disease is more common in boys than girls. In addition, your child is at a higher risk of developing this disease if they:

Have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Have depression or anxiety

Have autism spectrum disorder

Are taking certain medications, which can cause constipation.

How is an incontinence disorder diagnosed in a young child?

If you suspect that your child has this problem, you should take him or her to the doctor immediately. Your doctor can diagnose it through:

Physical examination: The doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask about the child's diet, toilet habits and other issues.

Rectal Exam: The doctor can check the child's rectum by inserting a finger into the rectum to check the condition of the rectum.

Abdominal X-ray: Checks for stool in the intestinal tract.

Psychological support: If your child is experiencing some emotional problems like anxiety or depression, your doctor can advise you on how to resolve it.

What is the treatment for incontinence in young children?

Some of the following treatments are recommended by your doctor:

Prescribe medications to prevent stools in the intestinal tract

Prescribing a laxative makes it easier for your child to use the toilet

Lifestyle changes to limit constipation: change your diet, drink more water, exercise regularly ...

Changing children's behavior: This approach not only includes psychotherapy, but also requires effort from the parents.

What are the consequences of incontinence?

This disease not only affects the physical health but also affects the mental health of the child. Here are some of the complications that children face:

The colon is enlarged and weakened

Children may lose feeling around the anus

Children may feel shame, humiliation, and disappointment

Children can be teased at school

Children may feel depressed and lack confidence.

There are remedies for incontinence that you can try

Here are some ways to treat incontinence:

Add fluids and water to your child's daily diet to help soften stools.

A diet rich in fiber can help treat symptoms of this disease. Eat plenty of fresh fruits, green vegetables, whole grains, and other high-fiber foods.

Practice the habit of going to the toilet even when you don't want to. You should let your child sit on the toilet for 5 to 10 minutes at the same time each day.

Cow's milk can be the culprit causing constipation. If this is the case, you should not give this milk to your baby anymore. Ask your doctor about other calcium-rich dairy alternatives.

Try to make it comfortable to use the bathroom.

Always stay calm and maintain a positive attitude even when a child has incontinence. A parent's positive attitude can help children get through difficult situations with ease, while scolding can make the situation worse.

Incontinence is a complex problem that requires comprehensive treatment. The first thing you need to do is take your child to see a doctor because if it is not treated in time, the disease can become more complicated. Parents need to have a compassionate attitude and never make a child feel ashamed or guilty.

When a child has uncontrolled bowel movements, he or she may experience emotional disorders. So, you need to help your child understand that with effort and determination, everything will be fine. The illness can come back again and again and can take months to years to treat.

Help your child handle this disease while at school

Here are some tips to help your child deal with their symptoms at school:

You can prepare more for your child a pair of panties or shorts when going to school

You can contact the teacher and share your child's status

Encourage your child to go to the toilet often.

Prevent incontinence in young children

The most important precaution is to avoid constipation. Develop a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of water every day.

Regular exercise can help fight many diseases. So, please encourage your child to exercise.

Practice good toilet habits for children.

Uncontrolled bowel movements can cause many serious problems. Therefore, if you suspect that your child has this disease, take him or her to a doctor right away because if it is too long, the disease may become more complicated and it will take a long time to treat.