IBS in Children
IBS can and does affect children and adolescents. In adults it tends to affect more women than men but in children it affects boys and girls equally. The physical symptoms are much the same as those of adults, namely:
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Varying between constipation and diarrhoea
- Bloating
- Mucous in the stools
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement
- Headaches and nausea
However, it must also be said that children can suffer from low self esteem, fear of going to school or going out socially with friends and can feel sad and isolated believing that no one understands what they are going through. Sometimes the child loses weight, particularly if he or she is cutting down on eating in order to avoid the associated pain.
What causes IBS in children?
The onset of IBS in children can occur after a stressful event such as problems at school or home, bullying, or a bout of illness such as gastroenteritis, or maybe for no identifiable reason at all. Although stress itself is not considered a cause of IBS, it can trigger the symptoms of IBS.
How IBS is diagnosed in children?
If you suspect that your child has IBS, speak to your doctor. Your doctor will ask detailed questions about the symptoms and your child’s health in general in order to rule out potentially more serious causes. IBS may be diagnosed if no other reason for the symptoms can be identified and the symptoms are based on the following:
- The pain associated with their symptoms is relieved after they have a bowel movement
- The start of the pain is associated with a change in the frequency of their bowel movements
- The start of the pain is associated with a change in the consistency and appearance of their bowel movements
These symptoms must have existed for a period of at least 12 weeks in the previous 12 months and there is no other obvious cause for these symptoms.
Treating IBS in children
The main way to treat IBS in children is by making changes to the diet rather than medication. For example, by increasing the amount of natural fibre in the diet, and reducing the amount of fat. It also helps to identify how the child is coping with stress and if there is something that the child is particularly worried about at school or at home so that these issues can be dealt with.
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