Differences of constipation in adults and children
In both adults and children, constipation is usually caused by poor nutrition or insufficient physical activity. In infants, constipation is often caused by a change from one diet to another (for example, from breast milk to a complete dietary supplement). In children, emotional stress and pain during bowel movements can also lead to constipation.
The pain leads to a fear of defecation which can result in constipation. The treatment of constipation is usually the same for adults and children (after infancy). A balanced diet rich in fiber, a sufficient amount to drink per day and daily exercise are required for this.
If all this does not show sufficient effect, household remedies can also be used for children. Acute constipation: In principle, acute constipation causes the same symptoms as chronic constipation (see below). In contrast to the chronic form, the symptoms occur suddenly and can be quickly eliminated by therapy or by resuming the old habits.
If an intestinal obstruction (ileus) is the cause of the acute constipation, severe abdominal pain, flatulence without wind (meteorism) and vomiting (first food, then stool) are added to the stool. When listening to the bowel, depending on the form of the ileus, either increased bowel activity or few to no bowel sounds are heard (“deathly silence”). The maximum of an intestinal obstruction is reached when a state of shock occurs.
Stroke symptoms depend on the location of the circulatory disorder in the brain. Depending on this, a person affected by constipation may experience paralysis, impaired vision, sensitivity, orientation or coordination. In the case of a slipped disc, the localization also determines the symptoms accompanying the constipation.
Possible symptoms are paralysis, sensitivity disorders, weakening of reflexes and pain. Chronic constipation: Chronic constipation is characterized by a disorder of bowel movement. The following symptoms may be possible (ROM III criteria): Less than three visits to the toilet per week Feeling of incomplete defecation Feeling of blockage Strong pressing to be able to defecate Hard stool Manual help with defecation Soft stool only when using laxatives Absence of irritable bowel syndrome (functional bowel disease) If, of these symptoms, at least two of these complaints occur in at least every fourth bowel movement in three months in a six-month period, this is referred to as constipation In the presence of a basic disease that causes constipation, typical symptoms of this disease also occur.
In the case of a herniated disc, the localization also determines the symptoms accompanying the constipation. Possible symptoms are paralysis, sensitivity disorders, weakening of reflexes and pain. Chronic constipation: Chronic constipation is characterized by a disorder of bowel movement.
The following symptoms may be possible (ROM III criteria): If at least two of these symptoms occur in at least every fourth bowel movement in three months in half a year, this is called constipation. If there is a basic disease that causes constipation, typical symptoms of this disease also occur.
- Less than three visits to the toilet per week
- Feeling of not being completely emptied
- Blockade feeling
- Strong pressing in order to be able to put down the chair
- Hard chair
- Manual help with defecation
- Soft stool only when using laxatives
- Absence of irritable bowel syndrome (functional bowel disease)
Chronic constipation increases the risk of developing further intestinal diseases: diverticulosis, diverticulitis and hemorrhoids.These are mucous membrane protuberances of the intestinal wall (diverticulosis), which can become inflamed (diverticulitis).
These protuberances are formed as a result of the strong pressure during defecation, which is often necessary in cases of constipation. Hemorrhoids are arteriovenous vascular dilatations in the area of the anus. Furthermore, an increased risk for the development of colorectal carcinoma (cancer in the area of the rectal anus) is discussed if chronic constipation is present. Furthermore, as a complication of constipation, so-called faecal matter (coproliths, skybala) can form. The use of the abdominal press during defecation as a consequence of constipation can lead to intestinal diverticula (see above), an inguinal hernia (inguinal hernia) or a testicular hernia (inguinal hernia) and over time, with additional loose connective tissue in the rectum or, in women, the uterus can deepen (rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse).
