The feces of a child can tell about the health of the intestines, and, perhaps, the whole organism. Its consistency, smell, color, frequency of bowel movements are valuable information that helps to diagnose (in case of development) many pathologies. The presence of sheep feces in children is a clear sign of a problem in the body. The causes and treatment of this condition in babies will be discussed in this article.
What is sheep feces in children
In babies, as in adults, the “sheep poop” is a solid, rounded, dry, small lump, similar to the stool of a sheep.
Such feces, as a rule, are the result of spastic constipation, that is, its appearance is associated with a spasm of some part of the intestine, because of which the feces simply can not move lower.
Physiological reasons
The etiology of spastic constipation and, therefore, sheep feces is diverse. So, the physiological and pathological causes of this condition are distinguished.
Among the physiological causes of sheep feces in a child are the following:
- When a baby eats dry food, and its menu does not contain hot liquid dishes and fiber, then constipation is a consequence of an unbalanced diet. In this case, it is very simple to eliminate the problem, it is enough to exclude sweets and sandwiches, replacing them with fruits, give soups for lunch and introduce more vegetables.
- In addition, constipation often occurs against a background of dehydration, and therefore parents should carefully monitor the drinking regime of the child, especially when it comes to children up to a year.
- Another non-pathological reason why a child has feces of sheep is physical inactivity, that is, constipation due to the lack of outdoor games and sitting around the TV or computer for days on end. To help the child in this case is quite simple, it is only necessary to optimize motor activity.
- Sheep feces can occur due to various stresses due to punishments, fear, problems at school and so on.
- Overdose of drugs, such as Imodium (slows intestinal motility), sorbents (activated charcoal, Smecta, and so on).
Pathological causes
Perhaps the most common problem leading to the appearance of a baby feces in a child is dysbiosis. Such a condition is a substitution of “good” intestinal bacteria with bad ones, as a result of which the digestion of food in the large intestine is disrupted, the immune system suffers, vitamins are not synthesized, and so on.
Can lead to dysbiosis:
- intestinal and other infections carried by the mother during pregnancy and the baby after birth;
- delivery by cesarean section;
- unsustainable feeding (lack of hepatitis B, improperly selected, introduced or unadapted milk mixture, incorrectly introduced complementary foods);
- unbalanced nutrition (for older children);
- antibiotic therapy;
- decreased immunity;
- bad ecology;
- helminthic infestations.
Among the pathological causes of changes in stool in the form of sheep feces are:
- stomach ulcer;
- meningitis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- hypothyroidism.
Parent Actions
Such changes in feces, as a rule, are preceded by problems with bowel movements. Observational parents will pay attention to the fact that the baby does not poop for several days.
At the same time, children can sit on the pot to no avail. The bowel movement itself is painful, the child is pushing, blushing and sometimes crying. After some time, solid, pea-like feces appear. In addition, mucus may be present, and in more severe cases, droplets of blood.
Parents are often interested if a child has sheep feces, what to do.
Before going to the pediatrician, parents should:
- review the baby’s diet, enriching it with fresh vegetables / fruits and dairy products, in addition, it is necessary to exclude snacks
- if the baby has a problem, keep the hepatitis B longer, introduce complementary foods on time, and if the baby is “artificial”, feed exclusively adapted mixtures;
- optimize drinking regimen. As a rule, a glass of ordinary water 30 minutes before a meal easily solves the problem;
- to occupy the child with more active games and maintain sufficient physical activity;
- create the most comfortable psychological atmosphere.
If as a result of the measures taken, the chair did not normalize for several days, then the trip to the pediatrician should not be postponed. Most likely, the doctor, after listening to the complaints of the patient or his parents, will prescribe additional diagnostic methods. Only a specialist is able to correctly determine the cause of the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Diagnostics
Before prescribing the appropriate treatment, the doctor, as a rule, directs the patient to undergo additional studies of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as according to indications: KLA, blood biochemistry, and so on.
The easiest diagnostic method is a study of dysbiosis and a coprogram, including the study of the physical properties of feces and microscopy.
Ultrasound diagnostics, a no less informative and painless research method, is carried out with the aim of studying the condition of internal organs.
Perhaps the most unpleasant for the baby FEGDS procedure. Before undergoing this study, the child must be mentally prepared for how this examination will be conducted.
Treatment of sheep feces in a child
Therapy for stool disorders is selected in accordance with the reasons that caused them, as well as data from additional studies.
So, if sheep feces are caused by errors in the diet, the doctor strongly recommends normalizing the baby’s nutrition. Children up to a year to continue breastfeeding, correctly introduce lures, and so on.
Older children should exclude muffins, rice, chocolate, dumplings, semolina, pasta and other “fortifying” foods. Preference should be given to products that restore microflora and have a laxative effect: plums, oatmeal, buckwheat, apricots, barley, kiwi, dairy products, pumpkin, etc. In addition, the patient is recommended to normalize the drinking regimen.
A gentle massage of the abdomen helps. Gently massage the tummy clockwise with gentle movements with gentle pressure.
If sheep feces are a consequence of stress, you will need to consult a psychologist and create a favorable atmosphere at home.
Drug treatment
Among the medications, the most effective are lactulose-based drugs, for example, Lactusan, Normase, which have a laxative effect and the ability to restore intestinal biocenosis, stimulate peristaltic movements and the activity of digestive enzymes, due to which the shape and consistency of bowel movements return to normal.
In addition, the doctor may prescribe antispasmodics Mebeverin or Duspatalin. These drugs have a laxative effect, they relax the smooth muscles of the intestinal wall.
Such drugs as Bifiform or Linex eliminate dysbiosis, colonize the intestines with “good” flora and heal it.
If sheep feces appear as a result of serious pathologies, self-medication is not acceptable. For example, with a gastric ulcer, a gastroenterologist prescribes therapy, meningitis is treated in neurological hospitals, and an endocrinologist is involved in the treatment of diabetes.
Folk recipes
It is possible to treat sheep feces in a child using folk methods, the use of which should nevertheless be previously agreed with the doctor.
The most effective of traditional medicine means are:
- A decoction of gooseberry berries. To do this, the fruits are boiled for 10 minutes, then cooled. This decoction is given to the child to drink a quarter cup a day.
- Rowan berries (alcohol tincture with added sugar). You need to take the drug by tsp. previously diluted with water, course up to 10 days.
- Lingonberry berries. They have laxative properties and stimulate intestinal motility.
- Sunflower or olive oil taken on an empty stomach in the morning in the amount of 1 tsp. - Great prevention of stool and stool retention.
Possible consequences
Sheep feces is a sign of constipation. In no case should such a condition be ignored, since the consequences of an ailment can be very sad. The chair should be regular. Otherwise, feces stagnate in the intestines, becoming a source of toxins. Toxins enter the bloodstream, causing general intoxication. The child at the same time suffers from headaches, becomes tearful and irritable, against this background, cracks in the anus, prolapse of the rectum, hemorrhoids can occur. Such children often lag behind in development. Ignoring this condition significantly increases the risk of intestinal tumors.