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Old 20th October 2014, 00:58   #2086
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fordday View Post
Hello Doctors,

My six year old kid suffers from constipation. His normal bowel movement is after 2-3 days.
Home remedy would be to increase fibre in the diet. Vegetables are a must. Fruits too. One or two bananas and one more seasonal fruit per day should do the trick.

If this doesn't work, maybe go see a paediatrician. If he complains of pain while passing motion, he needs to be examined. If all is well, some stool softeners should help regularise his bowel habits.

Last edited by Geo_Ipe : 20th October 2014 at 00:59.
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Old 20th October 2014, 12:27   #2087
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Quote:
fordday : My six year old kid suffers from constipation.
How much water does he drink in a day ?
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Old 20th October 2014, 14:43   #2088
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If he complains of pain while passing motion, he needs to be examined. If all is well, some stool softeners should help regularise his bowel habits.
He does not complain of pain. He needs to exert a lot which leaves him red in
in the face and ears.

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How much water does he drink in a day ?
His water intake may be two glasses a day.
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Old 20th October 2014, 15:55   #2089
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The following advises are applicable to both adults and children.
a) Water intake- For normal stool formation and ease of passage adequate water intake is absolutely essential. 70pc human body weight is constituted by water. For a healthy adult (unless contraindicated by renal abnormalities) 2-3L of water consumption per day is absolutely essential. For a 6 year old child about 1L is the bare minimum. This is baseline and should further increase during summer or humid months.
b) Fibre content - Food rich in fibre is absolutely essential to form bulk of the stool. This includes vegetables and fruits. Green leafy vegetables take priority. Avoid processed foods, refined sugar, polished rice. Atta has more fibre generally than rice and maida should be avoided as much as possible.
c) Habit formation - Make it a habit to attempt to pass stools daily. Encourage him, don't admonish him. A hot/ warm cup of milk or water will help in facilitating bowel movement in the morning. It's crucial that it forms a habit otherwise it may become difficult in later life. I'd also like to mention that passing stools once in 2-3 days is not abnormal in any sense.

These are the key things I can think of right now. In case something else comes to my mind I'll let you know. At this age I'd avoid prescribing laxatives and other forms of medication natural or medicines. But if lifestyle modifications fail to make any change do not hesitate to consult a paediatrician.

Thanks
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Old 20th October 2014, 23:21   #2090
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Originally Posted by fordday View Post
His water intake may be two glasses a day.
This would be the root cause of the problem, plus a few more. I wont be surprised if your son is cranky (at least a little more than normal ), and if he is not the most energetic / healthiest (in terms of growth)(as compared to his peers).

I would also suggest that you stop the potatoes (if required completely at least for now) and get him on to a full range of veggies.
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Old 20th October 2014, 23:44   #2091
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His vegetable intake is very less, mostly its potato. Other than that his eating habit is normal for his age and size.

What do you doctors suggest for him?
I am not a doctor but a father to an almost 4 year old.

My uncle once gave me valuable advice. No kid ever starved in a house where food is available.

What he meant was cook everything. Keep it. If the kid throws some attitude its ok. Let him stay hungry. When food is around and hunger grows, food wins.

Another point both my wife and I consciously take is that we all eat the same food.
There is NOTHING special cooked for anyone including my 1.5 year old son.
Every thing we cook is special for everyone.

Now while water is a good thing. I also feel that there are alternatives to water. Packaged juices are not. But fresh juice is an excellent source.

Especially fresh pomegranate, sweet limes and oranges.
Avoid adding sugar or water.

Having said that eating raw fruits is better as its also a great source of fiber.

All the best.

Tip: Take the kid shopping with you. Let him choose the vegetables. I find this makes it very easy for my daughter to relate to her food. I make up stories and we eat together.

Last edited by bblost : 20th October 2014 at 23:45.
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Old 21st October 2014, 07:10   #2092
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Excellent points, BB.
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Originally Posted by bblost View Post
Now while water is a good thing. I also feel that there are alternatives to water. Packaged juices are not. ..
Agreed about juices being a good alternative, but plain water is more easily available.

Quote:
Avoid adding sugar or water.
Did you mean to avoid adding sugar to water ? If you meant only fruits - is it about fiber content ?
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Old 21st October 2014, 18:01   #2093
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The following advises are applicable to both adults and children..

These are the key things I can think of right now. In case something else comes to my mind I'll let you know.
Thank you for your advices. Will keep these in mind.


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This would be the root cause of the problem, plus a few more. I wont be surprised if your son is cranky (at least a little more than normal ), and if he is not the most energetic / healthiest (in terms of growth)(as compared to his peers).
Yes Condor, you are right, his growth isn't in the same level compared to his peers. He is skinny.

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My uncle once gave me valuable advice. No kid ever starved in a house where food is available.


Another point both my wife and I consciously take is that we all eat the same food.

Having said that eating raw fruits is better as its also a great source of fiber.

Tip: Take the kid shopping with you. Let him choose the vegetables.
Very good quotes and tips from BB.

Will try to cover much of these if not all, to bring in a healthy lifestyle and improve upon his physique and overall health.


An observation from an old neighbour - this condition of irregular bowel movement is slowly getting into mostly urban kids because of our increasing adaptation to Western style commode. Her inference is that using Indian style 'pot' and sitting on ones haunches put additional pressure in our abdomen and in turn eased the process of passing stools.

Our generation benefited for being mostly trained on Indian pot, so we could overcome even when we are now placed in WC.

Can this be a factor? Anyone scientific studies or claims anywhere?
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Old 21st October 2014, 18:13   #2094
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Originally Posted by bblost View Post
Another point both my wife and I consciously take is that we all eat the same food.
There is NOTHING special cooked for anyone including my 1.5 year old son.
Every thing we cook is special for everyone.

Tip: Take the kid shopping with you. Let him choose the vegetables. I find this makes it very easy for my daughter to relate to her food. I make up stories and we eat together.
Excellent points bb.
That's how my wife & me try to go about as well, as far as our son's eating habits are concerned.

The only problem I've encountered with letting him choose his own veggies is that sometimes he likes biting chunks of the fruits / vegetables before putting them in the shopping basket - some shop owner's don't seem to like that very much.
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Old 21st October 2014, 18:17   #2095
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Originally Posted by fordday View Post
An observation from an old neighbour - this condition of irregular bowel movement is slowly getting into mostly urban kids because of our increasing adaptation to Western style commode.

Can this be a factor? Anyone scientific studies or claims anywhere?
Did read one article that the Indian style is actually better - but I dont remember it saying that bowel movements would be affected. Basically, either a preset schedule / sufficient pressure should help.
However, in your son's case, this would not be among the main factors.

Last edited by condor : 21st October 2014 at 18:47.
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Old 21st October 2014, 18:18   #2096
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Did you mean to avoid adding sugar to water ? If you meant only fruits - is it about fiber content ?
Kids get used to sugar sweet it will get tough to wean them away from it.
Also its best to let them enjoy food as close to natural state as possible.

Quote:
Originally Posted by fordday View Post
An observation from an old neighbour - this condition of irregular bowel movement is slowly getting into mostly urban kids because of our increasing adaptation to Western style commode. Her inference is that using Indian style 'pot' and sitting on ones haunches put additional pressure in our abdomen and in turn eased the process of passing stools.
Could also be due to higher amount of "bad" food in the diet.
Too many store or packaged biscuits and cakes.
Its much better to cook the same at home.

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Originally Posted by aah78 View Post
Excellent points bb.
That's how my wife & me try to go about as well, as far as our son's eating habits are concerned.

The only problem I've encountered with letting him choose his own veggies is that sometimes he likes biting chunks of the fruits / vegetables before putting them in the shopping basket - some shop owner's don't seem to like that very much.

Its the best years.
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Old 21st October 2014, 18:50   #2097
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Kids get used to sugar sweet it will get tough to wean them away from it.
Agreed.
The reason I asked is - your post said "Avoid adding sugar OR water"
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Old 21st October 2014, 19:16   #2098
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Hello Doctors,

My six year old kid suffers from constipation. His normal bowel movement is after 2-3 days.
What my wife does to increase vegetables in the diet is to mix them in a dal (pulse), or grate them and mix them in atta for roti, make colourful rice... The colouful vegetables also make them look very tempting. You can also celebrate colours in your meals (yellow day by mixing yellow capsicum, orange day by carrots, green day there are n number of options...) you just need to be creative. It's fun for us adults as well.
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Old 21st October 2014, 20:35   #2099
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Agreed.
The reason I asked is - your post said "Avoid adding sugar OR water"
I don't generally add Water to sweet lime, pomegranate etc as they are quite wet themselves.
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Old 22nd October 2014, 11:55   #2100
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EMERGENCY:

Yesterday night, my father (66 years) was bitten by a household dog on his hand (back side of left hand palm). The wound is 0.5 cm. I immediately took him to CMH hospital Bangalore. The wound was cleaned thouroughly. Administed Titinus shot & Rabis vaccine (VeroRab). Rest 4 shots pending which will be given in next 28 days.
The doctor suggested today that, this is class3 dog bite & my father should get 4 vial shots around the wound area with Inj. PlasmaRab / BeriRab - P (HRIG).
Could anyone please suggest immediately whether these vial shots are necessary?? My father is a bit nervous to get those.
Please comment
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