What should be done for an 11-year-old child with constipation?

Jun 14, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My son is 11 years old. He has been constipated these past couple of days, not having a bowel movement for several days. I would like to know what to do about a child's constipation.

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Jingxiang
When an 11-year-old child experiences constipation, the following measures can be taken to relieve it: 1. Dietary adjustment: Encourage the child to eat more fiber-rich foods such as sweet potatoes, corn, and pumpkin, along with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits like bananas, dragon fruit, and celery, to promote gastrointestinal motility and soften stools. Avoid excessive intake of spicy, greasy, and irritating foods. 2. Abdominal massage: Gently massage the child's abdomen in a clockwise direction to help stimulate intestinal movement and facilitate bowel movements. 3. Appropriate physical activity: Encourage the child to engage in suitable physical exercises such as jogging or swimming, which can enhance gastrointestinal motility and alleviate constipation. 4. Medication: If constipation is severe and the above measures are ineffective, medications such as lactulose oral solution or Bacillus subtilis bivalent live granules may be used under medical supervision. 5. Lifestyle habits: Help the child develop a routine for regular bowel movements and maintain good sleep patterns and emotional well-being, which also contribute to improving constipation. If symptoms persist without improvement, prompt medical consultation is recommended.