Problems such as enuresis and encopresis in children cannot occur without a cause and certainly are not the norm. This article will focus on the second of the diseases mentioned. Consider what encopresis in children is, the causes, treatment and symptoms of the disease.
What?
Encopresis is a disease during which fecal incontinence is observed.
For babies, this process is completely natural, as they are not yet able to control the intestines. But among children over four years old, this situation cannot be considered the norm, since it can indicate that the baby has problems not only at the physiological, but also psychological level.
Causes of the disease
Next, let's talk about why encopresis can occur in children. The causes of the disease, as mentioned above, can be on a physical or psychological level. The main ones can be considered:
- the presence of acute inflammatory processes in one or more parts of the intestine;
- chronic constipation;
- the presence of congenital pathologies, the appearance of which was provoked by a difficult pregnancy or complications during childbirth;
- disorders in psychomotor development;
- previous operations or injuries;
- early organic damage to the central nervous system;
- the child’s experience of frequent stressful situations in the family or team due to lack of friends, change of kindergarten or school, mismatch with the expectations of peers or relatives, negative influence of educators and teachers, lack of a comfortable day regimen and personal space for games and development, and so on;
- too persistent or aggressive behavior of parents during the training of the baby to the potty;
- poor material conditions in the family;
- the inability to get timely access to the toilet in the kindergarten, school and so on.
As you can see, the list of possible reasons is not so small. However, encopresis in children in most cases arises as a result of the influence of external factors, which have a significant impact on the psychological and emotional state of the child.
Features of the disease
Depending on age, the frequency of emptying in a child may vary. The fact that in some situations is considered the norm, in others indicates a problem. How then to determine encopresis in children? Expert advice says the following.
- If the baby is less than 6 months old. At this age, the normal number of stool discharge is up to 6 times a day. If this process occurs more often, it indicates diarrhea. In this case, there can be no talk of encopresis, since the baby is not yet able to control the situation.
- If the child is from 6 months to 1.5 years. During this period, the child’s muscles begin to strengthen, and emptying occurs already up to two times a day. At the same time, kids at this age do not understand what cleanliness and hygiene are, therefore they continue to dirty clothes.
- If the child is from 1.5 to 4 years old. During this period, the baby’s muscles are finally strengthened, and he is able to control the process of emptying. Up to 4 years, the child must learn to ask or to walk independently on the potty. Despite all this, the encopresis in children of this age is still within normal limits and it is too early to sound the alarm. The only exceptions are situations where the baby constantly went to the potty, and after suffering stress or as a result of other factors, suddenly stopped doing it.
- If the child is 4 to 8 years old. At this age, encopresis in children is no longer the norm. The disease indicates the presence of neurosis or other disorders, as well as physical health problems. In this situation, it is necessary to conduct a qualified examination and take all necessary measures.
Symptoms of the disease
The main symptom of an encopresis in a child is calo-anointing. If there is a problem, this symptom is repeated regularly, and is not periodic.
In addition to the main symptom of the disease, there is also a whole series of additional ones. They, in turn, may differ from each other, depending on the type of ailment: false or true encopresis. For greater convenience, it is worth considering each of them individually.
False Encopres
According to statistics, it is this type of disease that is diagnosed most often. The main reason for its occurrence is the presence of chronic constipation in a child. Therefore, the symptoms of the disease will be as follows:
- Kalomazanie. Parents regularly find in the child traces of feces on underwear.
- Difficulties in bowel movements.
- High density of feces or even the so-called "sheep feces."
- A specific odor is possible, similar to that observed during diarrhea.
- Feces accumulate in the colon.
- The stool becomes loose.
Most often, a false encopresis is observed in very shy children who consciously try to restrain the act of defecation.
True Encopres
This type of disease has very striking symptoms, so it cannot go unnoticed. The main signs of true encopresis include:
- Permanent calo-anointing and systematic bowel movements in underwear.
- The appearance of an unpleasant odor from a child, which is even noticed by others.
- The skin in the anus is very irritated, redness appears on it, which is accompanied by itching.
- The sphincter is in a half-open state.
- The anus is clogged with feces.
- Urinary incontinence may be observed at the same time.
Depending on the degree of neglect, the disease can be accompanied by several or all of the above symptoms. The causes of its occurrence are in most cases psychological in nature, and treatment takes a long time.
Disease treatment
Since the causes of the disease can be different, each of the cases requires a special approach to treatment. However, there are three main areas:
- psychological support and rehabilitation after a neurosis;
- the fight against constipation;
- re-training the child in the rules of the toilet.
In no case can not blame the baby for what happened. It is important to explain to him what exactly happens to his body. Particular attention should be paid to regular planting on the pot to enhance reflexes. This should be done every 15 minutes. But here there is an exception to the rule: in cases where the baby categorically refuses to sit on the pot, there is no need to force it. Otherwise, it threatens with another stress and worsening of the general situation.
Additionally, treatment includes taking medications, following a special diet, and even using folk remedies. Let us consider each of them.
Drug therapy
To begin, consider how to treat encopresis in children with medications.
It is important to note that this type of therapy is very effective. But they apply it in most cases only at the initial stages of the disease. As a rule, pediatricians recommend taking drugs such as Bisacodyl or Dufalac. They have a very mild effect on the children's body, but at the same time they have a rather strong effect. In this case, parents should listen to the doctor’s advice, not to self-medicate and not to replace the prescribed drugs. It is important to remember that many drugs are contraindicated in childhood or have too aggressive effects on the children's body.
The main therapy aimed at cleansing the intestines lasts about 1-2 weeks. At its end, it is necessary to consolidate the achieved effect. For these purposes, the baby’s intestines should be regularly cleaned for at least 6 months with the help of the Psilium preparation. Vaseline oil, which improves the emptying process, has a similar effect. It should be consumed in 2 tablespoons per day.
Diet for encopresis
So, we examined information about a disease such as encopresis in children (causes, treatment). Komarovsky (a well-known children's doctor) notes that a successful diet requires a special diet.
The diet of the baby should consist of easily digestible food. It can be various cereals, dairy products, light soups. All dishes must be steamed or boiled in water.
For better assimilation of coarse plant food, it must be served in crushed form. All kinds of vegetable or fruit purees are ideal.
Sweets are best replaced with prunes, raisins, honey.
Additionally, it is necessary to monitor the amount of fluid consumed. It should be enough so that the feces can soften and without any problems get out of the intestines.
Treatment of encopresis in children at home involves the exclusion of legumes, fatty fish and meat, muffins, spicy and fried foods, as well as fruits containing gelatin (apples, bananas) from the diet. It is necessary to limit the use of dairy products.
Encopresis in children: treatment with folk remedies
The key to successful disposal of the problem is the combination in the treatment of several types of therapy at the same time. That is why, along with medicines, some alternative methods can be used. They will be aimed at eliminating the psychological discomfort of the baby due to the calming effect on the body of medicinal herbs.
Tea with mint
Encopresis in children is often accompanied by insomnia and bouts of irritability. In such a situation, tea with mint leaves is an excellent sedative.
In order to prepare a healthy and tasty drink, you need to take a tablespoon of the plant and brew in a glass of hot water in a water bath for 15 minutes. Next, the tea must be cooled and filtered, after which add another glass of water.
The resulting home medicine should be given to the child 50 mg three times a day for about 15 minutes before eating.
Herb tea
This drink has a more effective and versatile effect, in comparison with the previous version. He fights well with symptoms of nervous tension, which in most cases is very necessary.
To prepare the broth, you need to take valerian root, hop cones and mint leaves in proportions of 2: 2: 3. In the same way as in the previous version, pour the mixture with a glass of hot water and cook in a water bath, then cool, strain and dilute with the same amount of water.
It is necessary to give the resulting broth to the child three times a day, 100 g each. The greatest effect can be achieved by combining this tea with medicines that eliminate neurotic encopresis.
Relaxing baths
Another way to help relieve nervous tension and calm the baby is a warm bath with herbs. Best in this case are:
- sage;
- succession;
- lavender;
- calendula;
- mint;
- pharmacy chamomile;
- valerian.
It is important to remember that only systematic therapy can bring a positive result. Therefore, such a bath must be taken every evening. In addition, it is advisable to regularly alternate different collections of herbs, not stopping on any one.
Enemas
Enema helps not only to empty the intestines, but also to develop the correct conditioned reflexes in the child.
To determine the correct time for the procedure, first of all, it is necessary to focus on the characteristics of the child's body. If he has incontinence during the day, an enema should be given in the morning. If the baby stains the laundry at night, the procedure should be carried out before bedtime.
As practice shows, usually less than 25 enemas are enough to get rid of the disease. The main thing in this business is regularity. The procedure must be carried out daily and at the same time, so that the child can form reflexes.
Encopresis in children: advice from a psychologist
We examined medical and folk methods of therapy. What else will help to overcome encopresis in children? Psychologist's advice on this subject says the following.
First of all, parents should provide their child with support and understanding. In no case should not be scolded and punished for incontinence. After all, the baby is not guilty of the occurrence of such a situation, and the lack of understanding from the side of the closest people can only aggravate everything.
Be healthy!