Constipation
Constipation In Toddlers: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Natural Home Remedies For Constipation In Adults & Kids
Constipation In Toddlers: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment….Natural Home Remedies For Constipation In Adults & Kids
Constipation is a common digestive problem and can affect adults as well as young children. In this article, we will look at some of the natural remedies for treating constipation in adults and kids at home.
Home remedies for constipation in toddlers
Constipation in toddlers is similar to that in adults; however, the condition may not be a symptom of some other medical condition. In toddlers, constipation might be simply a problem of dysfunction. Symptoms of constipation in children include pain in the abdomen, nausea, painful bowel movements, infrequent stooling, large and dry stools, and extra pressure when passing out stools.
Causes of constipation in toddlers
The major causes of constipation in toddlers are poor dieting, not drinking sufficient water, change in environment, holding in stools, and colds.
The following home remedies can be used for treating constipation in toddlers.
Giving them a massage
Gently massaging your child?s abdomen will help to improve things if they have constipation. Begin by rubbing down on the lower part of the abdomen in a gentle and circular manner. Continue massaging by moving to the upper part and then to the left. You should make sure that the pressure is not too much to avoid injuring your child.
Encouraging them to stool when they have to
Holding in stools is a cause of constipation. Encouraging your toddler to poop when he wants to is a good way of training him to prevent constipation. You can do this by getting a squatty potty stool for them.
Let the toddler be physically active
When your child has constipation, it is important for him/her to be active so as to stimulate bowel movement. Simply walking or jogging can achieve this.
Avoid foods that cause constipation
Foods such as cheese, yogurt, chocolate, and other processed foods are known to cause or aggravate constipation. It will be in the best interest of you and your toddler to avoid these foods if your child has constipation. At least for the period of constipation, these foods should not be eaten.
Let your child drink more water
Dehydration is a problem that leads to constipation and affects adults as well as children. Moreover, hard stools indicate that your child needs more water to soften them. Increasing the water intake of your child is a fast way of relieving constipation. You can also hydrate them by giving them flavored waters or diluted juice. The juice needs to be free of sugar though as adding sugar to juice is unhealthy.
Give the child foods high in fiber
Fruits such as apples, berries, prunes, and peaches contain enough fiber that can aid digestion. When giving the child such fruits, it is advised that they eat the skin of the fruit as well, as they are known to be high in fiber.
Let them eat more leafy vegetables
Just like fruits, vegetables contain high amounts of fiber and other essential nutrients. Leafy vegetables such as broccoli and spinach or other vegetables like carrots and cauliflower can help to soften the stools in toddlers, and consequently, alleviate constipation.
Whole grains
Whole grains such as corn, brown rice, and oats contain fiber. Feeding your child with whole grains is a good way to relieve their constipation problem. And just in case your toddler doesn?t like eating them as they are, you can ground the grains and add them to their foods.
Give them beans
Legumes like peas and beans are rich in fiber which is a great constipation reliever. Moreover, the other nutrients found in these legumes make them a healthy choice for children. You should be aware though, to ensure that they don?t eat more than required as beans can be a source of flatulence.
Nuts and seeds
Peanuts, walnuts, almonds, and groundnuts can also aid in relieving constipation. As you?ll be feeding them to children, it is advised that they are in ground form to reduce the risk of choking ? totally avoid nuts if the child is allergic to them. Seeds such as flaxseeds have also been known to have laxative properties thus, good at treating constipation.
Dates with milk
Feeding your toddler with dates in boiled milk before he goes to sleep is a natural way of reducing constipation. However, this should be done only when the child is more than a year old, as cow milk is not good for younger babies.
How to get rid of constipation fast at home (For adults)
Many methods can be used for treating constipation at home. Some of these remedies are:
Exercise
Exercising is a good way of reducing the symptoms of constipation. If you have constipation at home, simple exercises like walking or swimming will help to get rid of constipation. However, it is important to state that while exercising can be a good home remedy for some persons, it might not be as effective for others.
Drinking water
One of the probable causes of constipation is dehydration. When there isn?t enough water in the body, digestion becomes difficult which may lead to constipation. Getting rehydrated by drinking more water will help to remedy this situation. Drinking sparkling water has been shown [by research] to be a better way of treating constipation.
Prune juice
Eating prunes or drinking the juice is a natural way to get rid of constipation. Prunes contain fiber and a laxative, sorbitol, which helps to relieve constipation. Eating about 6 or 7 average-sized prunes two times a day can help constipation sufferers get relieved quickly. There is a caution though: people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) should not eat prunes due to the presence of sorbitol, which is a sugar alcohol ? can cause constipation.
Caffeinated coffee
If you are at home and you have constipation, drinking caffeinated coffee is an easy way of relieving yourself. Studies have proven that caffeinated coffee can help to improve intestinal flora and hence, relieve constipation.
Herbal tea
Herbal teas such as fennel tea, or senna tea, have been known to have soothing and laxative effects. Consumption of herbal teas should be done moderately and for short time periods so as not to cause another problem.
Eat foods rich in probiotic fibers
Probiotic fibers help to promote digestion. These fibers are needed by probiotic bacteria in the digestive walls which stimulate digestion. Examples of such foods with high prebiotic fibers are onions and garlic.
Eat foods rich in probiotics
While probiotic fibers are needed by probiotic bacteria, a shortage of these bacteria will affect digestion. To compensate for this deficiency, it is recommended that constipation patients eat enough of foods with high-probiotic content or probiotic supplements. Yogurt is an example of such food.
Magnesium citrate
Magnesium citrate is an over-the-counter medication that has laxative properties. Consuming moderate amounts of this supplement is a fast way of treating constipation at home.
How to get rid of severe constipation
If you or your child is suffering from severe constipation, the best remedy is to consult your doctor. While over-the-counter medications can bring quick relief, it is important to visit a physician to ascertain the cause of constipation.
There are several reasons why you or your child might be feeling constipated, first understanding the reason is a step to finding a solution to the problem. While the treatment methods here are not exhaustive ? there are other home remedies, seeking professional medical help when all the methods here fail is very important.
