What is constipation?
Constipation is very common in children, but it is a condition that is overlooked by families. It is common to consult a physician with complaints of abdominal pain, loss of appetite, developmental delay, difficulty passing stool, painful defecation, hard stool, pain or bleeding in the butt.
In which period is constipation most common?
Constipation is common in babies during the transition from breast milk to complementary food and after toilet training between the ages of 2-4, but it is a chronic (long-lasting) process that can be seen in all age groups.
Can constipation and urination disorders occur together?
There is a close relationship between urination disorders and chronic functional constipation. When the complaints of patients who apply to pediatric surgeons with constipation are examined, it is seen that the condition is accompanied by urination disorders. In most constipated patients; The large intestine, which is constantly filled with stool, can put pressure on the bladder, disrupting the filling and emptying functions of the bladder. It is a condition that is clinically known to cause symptoms such as daytime dribbling incontinence, sudden need to urinate, and urinary tract infections in children.
What clinical situation do we encounter when constipation and urination disorders coexist?
Chronic functional constipation and urination disorders have a close relationship in each other's etiology (cause-cause). If the patient has two clinical complaints, a long treatment process is required. The presenting complaints in patients with urination disorders are daytime urinary incontinence, sudden feeling of urgency, frequent urination of small amounts, bedwetting and urinary tract infection. 90% of children with urination disorders are also accompanied by chronic functional constipation.
How is Constipation Diagnosed?
Anamnesis, physical examination, direct radiography. USG is sufficient for diagnosis.
If constipation is treated, will urination disorders improve?
There are studies in the literature showing that treatment of chronic functional constipation improves urination disorders.
For my child with constipation and urination disorders The doctor gave medication. Will this treatment be sufficient?
The medication given may temporarily relieve the complaints. Since the existing problems arise as a result of a mislearned behavioral disorder, nutritional problem, and are also a chronic (ongoing) process, the treatment and follow-up period varies between 3 months and 1 year. In addition to medication, the patient must be given proper toilet training. In children; The aim should be to ensure that they need to go to the toilet at least once a day in a painless manner without any difficulty.
Conclusion
If constipation in the childhood age group is not treated correctly, intestinal problems can last a lifetime. It is important to know that it can cause urinary problems. Therefore, for the health of the intestine and urinary system, our children should be ensured that they do not become constipated and go to the toilet regularly.
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