Gastrointestinal Reflux in Children
Just like infants and adults can have gastrointestinal reflux, so can children. The cause is always the same, the stomach contents come back up into the esophagus creating a burning sensation and possibly vomiting. There can be a problems if the reflux is frequent, not only because is it painful, but also because inflammation can occur. There are several theories as to why gastrointestinal reflux occurs. It could be because the LES is not functioning properly or that the stomach empties too slowly. There are treatments and precautions that your gastroenterologist can talk to you about it your child complains of symptoms that sound similar to heartburn.

Constipation
This seems to be one of the most common complaints of children and occurs when there is difficulty passing stool. The frequency of bowel movements varies between children and their diets. There are several reasons your child could be experiencing constipation. They could be ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement, this is especially common is they have experienced what is called the “pain retention cycle.” This happens when they have experienced a hard, painful stool and then are trying to withhold future stool to avoid the pain. The longer the stool is retained in the rectum, the harder and drier it becomes causing the next bowel movement to be even more painful. This can create a cycle, making the goal of soft, regular stool more difficult to attain. The best treatment requires patience and time.

Children who have constipation or who soil their cloths (encopresis) do this because they have large amounts of stool in their colon. This must be evacuated before any stool softeners will work. The gastrointestinal specialists at the GI Associates Clinic will be glad to discuss the various options with you to help eliminate the problem.

Encopresis
Encopresis is when stool leaks out onto the clothing. It is also known as “soiling.” Usually the child is has no control over the leakage and is unaware of the soiling until it has already occurred. Most stool accidents are commonly mistaken as diarrhea. Encopresis is more commonly caused by prolonged and often unrecognized constipation. What happens is that a hard stool develops and if the child cannot pass this bowel movement, it gets stuck. Future stool leaks out and causes the soiling. The child usually loses normal sensation in the rectum because it is so stretched out from the constipation, which is why the child does not realize they are soiling themselves. Treatment is fairly simple and like regular constipation, it requires patience and time.

• The first step is to clean out the system. Your gastroenterologist will help you find the best options.
• After cleaning everything out you will need to use stool softeners. It is important that you use stool softeners and not laxatives because stool softeners can be used safely on a daily basis.
• Bowel retaining is the most important step. This is when your child learns the normal sensations of having a regular bowel movement and you can resume a regular schedule for bowel movements using positive feedback.
• The final step is to place the child on a high-fiber diet to ensure normal bowel function.

The gastrointestinal specialists at the GI Associates Clinic are well trained to work with children who have gastrointestinal problems. Call them today to make an appointment and to get your child back to a normal and healthy life.