By admin Media Health Group helps to create clarity not confusion especially when it concerns the health of children. We are passionate about giving the most reliable, comprehensible health information that can help to enable parents when they are dealing with conditions like encopresis.
There are a lot of situations where parents experience frustration and surprise when their child, who has properly been trained to use the toilet, starts messing up the house again, especially with faeces.
There is absolutely no need to feel ashamed, angry or even frustrated because it happens to other parents.
Your child might be facing a condition called encopresis, which is a condition that causes severe constipation which then results in leaking of faeces, this happens mostly without the child knowing. You should note that it is not due to laziness or disobedience. And it isn’t due to the parent’s lack of oversight.
In this article, let’s discover 8 well studied facts about encopresis to enable you with answers to your issues. l
Encopresis can be known as the nonstop ejection of faeces into places that they shouldn’t be, for instance, passing stool into an underwear by a child that has been trained to use the toilet and is normally 4 years or more. In most cases, it isn’t done on purpose and might be connected to severe constipation, where strong faeces are trapped in the colon which then results in leakage around the obstruction.
We have two types of encopresis:
- Retentive Encopresis: This is the most popular type of encopresis and it is caused by constipation.
- Non-Retentive Encopresis: This is not that rampant, it is rare and mostly linked to emotional state or behavior.
Encopresis mostly happens in a percentage of 1 to 3 children who are mostly under 13, and boys are the bigger affected party than girls. It can begin due to things like:
- If there was a hurried toilet training that was equally exhausting
- When a child doesn’t want to pop because of painful bowel motion.
- Anxiety, emotional issues or even adjustments like adapting to divorce.
Encopresis is known to cause things like:
- Helplessness or guilt in parents
- Embarrassment in children
- Introvertedness, issues in school and bullying.
Note that it’s new for kids to lie about passing stool on themselves or try to conceal the soiled clothes. You should understand that they are probably experiencing embarrassment or are confused.
In a lot of situations, encopresis is caused by severe constipation. Here are most likely scenarios:
- There is a reduction in sensitivity for the nerves in the rectum.
- The child is in so much pain and is scared so they avoid pooping.
- There is a buildup of faeces and that causes the colon to expand.
- There is a leakage of faeces around the obstruction and the child is unaware.
Other factors that might cause it are:
- Deskbound activities
- Less intake of fluids like water
- Diet that is low in fiber
- Zero commitment to toilet training
Diagnosis of encopresis is done due to the following factors:
- Abdominal exams
- Monitoring of behaviors
- Medical history
- X-rays
Some questions that you may be asked are:
- If your child hates going to the toilet
- If there was a recent accident and what time, place and how did it happen
- History of any stress factors or adjustments
Note: Carrying out this diagnosis is not to look for a villain. Rather it is about knowing what might be causing this condition and how to manage it.
Though the treatment for encopresis is a gradual process that might span over months, it is very effective.
- Enemas or laxatives that are recommended by pediatricians are utilized to take out any leftover stool.
- Lots of water
- Faeces softeners everyday like polyethylene glycol
- More of active work
- Diets that are high in fiber like vegetables and fruits
- Don’t punish the child, instead reward and shower them with praises
- Planned toilet visits after eating
- Making them sit on the toilet seat for 5 to 10 minutes after each meal.
- Let the school be aware if they child has incidents in school
- Guidance counselling and therapy is important
- Let your child know that they are not lazy or disobedient.
- Avoid forcing your child to sit on the toilet for long hours
- Avoid punishing or quarrelling them because they passed stool on themselves
- Avoid putting too much expectation on your child for quick changes.
Rather than doing the above, you should try to make them trust you, create easy communication and say the following:
- Your body is going through some changes.
- Feeling frustrated is totally fine, I’m here to help you figure it out.
If you have a proper support and care system, your child can make a complete recovery from encopresis. It is better to check it early in order to get the best results. Some cases might require long term treatment of years while others might just need it for months.
What might really cause issues is when you stop getting your child treated early. As soon as there is normal movement of bowels, normal sensitivity for the colon might require time to rectify. It is important to maintain your schedules even after there is improvement to avoid reoccurrence.
Not in all cases. A lot of cases happen because of constipation. But if there is an occurrence of physical or emotional abuse, it has to be carefully checked by health specialists.
Yea, it is possible but a lot of children require strict treatment. If there is no treatment, the condition might deteriorate and keep occurring with time.
Yes. You have to talk to the nurse at school to help you and to conceal it. Making your child leave school might just add to their social anxiety and embarrassment.
A period of 3 months to a year, and it is based on how serious it is and the care needed.
Encopresis is something that can weigh down on even the strongest parents. But note that it is not a failure on the part of the parent but a normal medical issue. Children can get full recovery with the proper care plan.
You have to exercise patience, consistency and also be easy on yourself. Supporting your child will aid in faster recovery.