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Baby food that helps relieve constipation


6 Baby Foods to Help Relieve Constipation

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These 6 Baby Food Purees Will Help Relieve Baby’s Constipation with no fuss from your little one. You can serve these purees when your baby is backed up or 2-3 times a week to keep things moving on the regular. Great for babies 6-12 months.

How to Relieve Baby’s Constipation

When you first start introducing purees, or when you introduce a new food, to your baby it is completely normal for them to get a little bit backed up. Your baby’s delicate digestive tract needs a little time to process all the new nutrients, fiber, and probiotics that you are giving it.

This is completely normal, so you don’t have to do into panic mode.

While I love and completely trust the Constipation Cure Puree recipe below to do its’ job, let me warn you that this puree is not for the weak of heart. It will definitely get things going and while you will love me for that, you might also curse me when it’s time to change your baby’s diaper.

What all of the 6 purees below have in common, is that they all have produce that starts with the letter ‘P’ in them – prunes, peaches, peas, plums and pears. ‘P’ produce helps get things moving down there all while tasting delicious so your baby will eat them. If you want, you can also add in a pinch of fresh ginger to any of the recipes below. Ginger is great for helping aid in digestion, calming an upset stomach and easing discomfort associated with constipation.

Signs of Constipation in Baby
  • your baby’s stool is hard and dry
  • your baby cries when going poo
  • baby is unwilling to feed and is generally unhappy
  • your baby’s stomach is hard when you gently press down on it
  • your baby’s stool has blood in or on it

7 Easy Ways to Help Baby with Constipation
  1. Stop serving foods that can cause constipation (potatoes, cheese, bananas, rice cereal, pasta) and start serving purees loaded with fiber.
  2. Serve purees with produce starting with ‘P’ – prunes, peaches, pears, peas and plums. These P produce help relieve constipation in baby and aid in baby’s digestive tract (see recipes below).
  3. Start to re-introduce purees that are easy to digest, such as avocado and sweet potato purees.
  4. If baby is older then 9 months, you can sprinkle a small pinch of ground flaxseed into any puree or finger food.
  5. Make sure baby is getting enough water in during the day. Aim for 2-4 ounces in the morning and in the evening. This is in addition to the breast milk, formula or milk (for toddlers) you are already giving them.
  6. Give your little one a warm bath to help them relax their digestion organs.
  7. Start doing baby tummy exercises to get things moving. Place baby on their back and taking both legs in your hands, bend their legs towards their belly button and make a circle with their knees in a clockwise direction. You can also gently press on their tummies about 2 inches away from their belly button starting at the 9’oclock direction and moving to the 3’oclock direction. You will want to gently press down roughly 1 inch into their stomachs. Repeat both exercises around 10 times each.

This is the puree I would always turn to when my baby was constipated. It will definitely do the job, so don’t go too overboard when serving this, a little goes a long way. Just a warning;)

This is a great puree filled with fruits and veggies that will help relieve your baby’s constipation. If you want an even stronger constipation puree, you can substitute the fennel for two roughly chopped pears.

This puree is probably one of my all-time favorite purees because it just tastes so dang good and any baby will happily gobble it up. You can also substitute prunes for the dried dates, if you are so inclined.

This simple pear puree is great for mild cases of constipation. You can add in 1/4 – 1/2 tsp of fresh ginger to help ease digestion pain.

Pear Baby Puree (Stage One)

5 stars (22 ratings)

This smooth and creamy homemade Pear Baby Puree is a wonderful first puree for baby – easy on the taste buds and great for their growing bodies!

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You can use frozen chopped pumpkin if fresh is not an option or you can use organic canned pumpkin puree if neither is available.

Pumpkin, Yogurt + Prune Baby Food Puree

5 stars (6 ratings)

A fun seasonal baby food puree that takes only 15 minutes to make and is packed with vitamin A, beta carotene, potassium, protein and iron just from the pumpkin.

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This puree is loaded with so many nutrients that you should probably just serve this to your baby at least once a day anyway. Bonus, that it helps with constipation and digestive issues.

5-Minute Pear + Blueberry Baby Puree

4.89 stars (18 ratings)

This 5-Minute Pear + Blueberry Baby Food recipe is a simple and delicious baby food puree filled with fiber, antioxidants, folate and potassium for the win!

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More Purees to Relieve Constipation

Looking for even more purees to relieve your baby’s constipation, then check out these purees.

  • No-Cook Banana Peach Baby Food Puree (use spotted bananas)
  • Peach + Vanilla Baby Food
  • Banana, Pear + Ginger Baby Food Puree
  • Pea Baby Puree
Pears + Prums + Cloves Baby Food Puree
  • 2 pears, cored and roughly chopped
  • 4 dried prunes, pitted
  • 1 cup hot water
  • pinch cloves
Fennel, Peach + Pea Baby Food Puree
  • 1 fennel bulb
  • 2 cups peaches, fresh or frozen, pitted and sliced
  • 1 cup peas, fresh or frozen
Roasted Pear + Date Baby Food Puree
  • 3 pears, peeled, cored and roughly chopped
  • 5 dried dates, pitted
  • 1 orange, juiced
Pear Baby Food Puree
  • 6 pears
  • 1/8 tsp cardamon or fresh ginger (optional)
Pumpkin, Yogurt + Prune Baby Food Puree
  • 1/2 small pie pumpkin (roughly 3 cups), peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup full-fat plain yogurt
  • 3 dried prunes, pitted
5-Minute Pear + Blueberry Baby Puree
    • 2 cups pear, chopped (roughly 2 pears)
    • 1 cup blueberries
    Pears + Prums + Cloves Baby Food Puree

    • Fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water, and bring to a boil over medium heat.

      Place the pears in a steamer basket over the boiling water, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Let cool slightly. Reserve steamer water.

      Meanwhile, in a small bowl, place the prunes and hot water, and let sit for 10 minutes. Drain.

      Add the pears, prunes and cloves into blender or food processor and puree until smooth, adding reserved water in 1/4 cup increments, if needed.

    Fennel, Peach + Pea Baby Food Puree
    Roasted Pear + Date Baby Food Puree

    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. 

      Place pears on the baking sheet, put into the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes. Let cool slightly. 

      Meanwhile, place the dates in a small bowl and cover with hot water, let sit for 10 minutes. Drain. 

      Transfer the pears and dates to a blender or food processor. Add in the orange juice. For a Stage 2 Puree – puree for 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth, adding in water in tbsp increments if needed. For a Stage 3 Puree – pulse in 10-second increments until ingredients are completely mixed together yet still chunky. Serve warm for an extra special treat.

    Pear Baby Food Puree

    • Prep: peel and roughly chop the pears.

      Combine: place the pear chunks, spices (if using) and water into a medium saucepan, cover.

      Cook: heat on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes or until tender when pricked with a fork.

      Transfer: let cool slightly. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the pears out of the saucepan, leaving the excess water behind, and place in a blender or food processor.

      Blend: turn on the machine and blend for 1-2 minutes until you have your desired consistency. If your pear puree is too thick, add the leftover cooking water in 1/4 cup increments.

      Eat: serve to baby or freeze for another meal.

    Pumpkin, Yogurt + Prune Baby Food Puree

    • Bring 2 inches of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Place pumpkin into a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes, or when you can easily prick the pumpkin chunks with a fork. Let cool slightly. Reserve steamer water. 

      Meanwhile, place the prunes into a small bowl and cover with very hot water for 10 minutes. This will let them plump up and become tender. Drain.

      Place the pumpkin, yogurt and prunes into blender or food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes until smooth, adding reserved steamer water in 1/4 cup increments if needed.

    5-Minute Pear + Blueberry Baby Puree

    Age: 4 months and up

    Yield: roughly 12-25 ounces depending on recipe. 

    Storage: Fridge – store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Freezer – can be frozen for up to 4 months (this and this are my favorite freezer storage containers).

    Favorite Kitchen Tools: Get a list of my favorite kitchen tools to make the best baby food here!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @babyfoode on Instagram and hashtag it #babyfoode!

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    Please note that I am not a medical professional. If your little one has been constipated for longer than 10 days or has a severe case and nothing seems to be working, then please call your pediatrician right away. 

    Are There Baby Foods that Help with Constipation?

    While parenting brings many surprises, one of them is likely how much you’ll think about poop, or lack thereof, especially during that first year. But here you are worrying about your baby’s digestive tract and convinced that they’re constipated.

    If you’ve recently introduced your baby to solid food, then your worries may be on target: solid foods can put a strain on your baby’s developing digestive tract and cause constipation. But there are things you can do to help!

    Before you begin treating constipation you should determine if there is really an issue at all. So here’s the scoop on poop and how to tell if your worries are founded and your baby is constipated.

    Breastfed babies

    During the first few weeks, you’ll find yourself changing diapers with alarming regularity. Figure in every feed or so.

    But don’t despair, because by the time your baby reaches 6 weeks old, they may have a bowel movement only once or twice a day. On the other hand, they may have one only every 7–10 days. (Yep, the frequency really can vary that much.)

    The poop is yellow, soft, runny and sometimes lumpy and the smell isn’t unpleasant.

    Formula-fed babies

    A newborn, formula-fed baby typically poops up to five times a day. At about 6 to 8 weeks, this may decrease to around once a day.

    Formula-fed babies have poop that is a camel to brown color with a thicker consistency, more like paste. Most likely, the less-than-aromatic smell means you’ll hermetically seal soiled diapers before you toss them into the garbage.

    Signs that your baby is constipated

    You’ve noticed that your baby’s tummy isn’t following the schedule that you got used to. Could it be constipation? Here are the signs that could confirm your suspicions:

    • You notice that they cry or fuss while they’re trying to have a hard bowel movement.
    • The poop, when it does come, is like hard pellets.
    • You notice streaks of red blood in the hard poop.

    While it’s not easy for a baby on a liquid diet to become constipated, trouble can start when you start introducing your baby to solid foods at around 6 months. Here’s why:

    New food types

    Think of it as a learning curve: Your baby’s body is learning how to cope with a new kind of food to digest as they move away from their full liquid diet and you need to soften the learning curve. (Pardon the irresistible pun.)

    Changes to fluid intake

    Decreased fluids will make your baby’s poop harder and more difficult to push out. If they’ve started solids, they may need to up their fluid intake to offset the solid food. And if your baby is teething or feeling unwell, it can also lead to them taking in less fluid than usual.

    Lack of fiber

    Even though they’re just starting out, babies’ tummies work like ours. While initially the move to solids that have fiber (from breast milk or formula, which don’t) can cause temporary constipation, their tummies will adjust.

    Make sure to monitor your baby’s fiber intake and pair it with plenty of hydration for a smooth ride the same way that you monitor yours.

    OK, so you’ve confirmed that your baby is constipated. The next step is helping to alleviate the strain on their developing digestive system.

    Remember that you can keep offering these foods as your baby develops into a toddler and beyond. In fact, there is little research or evidence to support specific foods (including high fiber ones) in treating or preventing constipation in infants. Most of these recommendations are based on evidence for older adults and children.

    Keep in mind that good practice when introducing solids is to introduce foods as single ingredients. That way, if your baby is allergic to certain foods, you’ll be able to more easily trace the source.

    If your little one hasn’t tried these foods before, don’t rush the process. Test out one at a time and then introduce combinations once you’re confident they’re well tolerated.

    • Back to basics. Give your baby’s digestive tract a break by feeding them mashed avocado or sweet potato purée. These are easy to digest and may give your baby the kick start they need.
    • B vegetables. Think broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and beans. Purée these for a meal filled with fiber.
    • P fruits. Your grandmother was right — bring on the prunes for quick work. A purée that includes a mix of prunes plus pears, plums, or peaches should work magic. Try subbing the prunes with dates for a change.
    • Bring on the fiber. If your baby is over 8 months, you can offer them whole grains like oatmeal, fiber-rich cereals, whole wheat pasta, and brown rice.
    • Water intake. Until 6 months an exclusively breastfed or formula-fed baby doesn’t need to drink water. Above this age, you can introduce small amounts of water.

    Plums and pears with cinnamon

    Cut 2 or 3 pears and plums into small pieces. Place in a saucepan with a small amount of water and simmer until soft. Add in a sprinkle of cinnamon. Blend thoroughly.

    Sweet potato with apple and peach

    Cut half a sweet potato, one apple, and half a peach into small pieces. Place in steamer basket and cook until tender. Blend until smooth.

    Spinach and apple purée

    Chop two apples into small chunks and cook in saucepan with about 1/2 cup of water. When they’re tender, add about 1 cup of spinach and cook another 2 to 3 minutes. Purée until smooth. Can be seasoned with cinnamon and ginger.

    Some sources suggest prune, pear, and apple juices help to increase the water content in poop and can ease constipation.

    However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends steering clear of fruit juice for children younger than 1 year old. You can stick with these fruits as purées for similar effects.

    What is it about prune juice? The high levels of sorbitol and phenolic substances in prune juice and dried plums act as a laxative and diuretic properties. So if your child is over 1 year old, you can use small amounts of prune juice to encourage their system to run.

    Some studies show that constipation may affect as much as 30 percent of children. If your child is part of the unlucky statistic, here are some foods that you may want to give them smaller amounts of until it passes:

    • bananas
    • dairy products such as cheese and yogurt
    • low fiber foods like white rice, white bread, and white pasta

    If you’re like most parents, you’ll be up for whatever you can try to help your baby get comfortable fast. Here are a few tricks that you can use to ease your baby’s constipation:

    • Warm baths. These can relax those abdominal muscles and get them working.
    • Exercise. Lay your baby on their back and push their legs alternately as if they’re cycling a bike. Alternatively, hold their knees and feet together and push their feet towards their belly.
    • Massage. Use your fingertip to draw clockwise circles on your baby’s stomach.

    If you see that despite your home remedies, your baby still is having hard stools or hasn’t pooped after 2 or 3 days from their last hard stool, then contact your pediatrician. Especially if you consistently notice blood in their poop or your baby is extremely irritable and appears to be in pain.

    While dealing with your baby’s toilet issues may seem a tad unsavory, you’ll soon be so used to it, that you’ll find yourself sharing your insights over coffee with other parents. And don’t be shy about sharing the yummy food combinations you discover to keep things moving.

    Constipation in children. Prevention. Diet therapy

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    Sabitova Vasily Ilyasovna Gastroenterologist

    06/21/2019

    Constipation is widespread among both adults and children (5-30% depending on the diagnostic criteria). Symptoms become chronic in more than 30% of patients, not only cause discomfort and pain to the child himself, but also disrupt the quality of life of his family.

    CONSTIPATION - a condition manifested by an increase in the intervals between bowel movements (compared to the individual norm) or systematically slow, difficult and / or insufficient bowel movements. Constipation also includes stools with “gruel”, but after defecation was absent for up to 3 days.

    Constipation can be related to functional or organic causes (abnormalities, inflammation). In children, 90-95% of constipation is functional. The peak incidence of functional constipation falls on 2-4 years, when they begin to accustom the child to the potty / toilet.

    Main causes of functional constipation

    • Pain
    • Fever
    • Dehydration
    • Wrong diet of a nursing mother
    • Insufficient drinking regime of a child with artificial feeding
    • Insufficient drinking regimen of a breast-fed child with the introduction of complementary foods
    • Early transition of the child to artificial feeding
    • Fast transition of the baby from one mixture to another (less than 7 days)
    • Irrational nutrition of the child (for a long time the child receives food with a large amount of proteins, fats and insufficient dietary fiber, abuse of drinks containing a large amount of astringents - tea, coffee, cocoa)
    • Excessive use of baby hygiene products or the development of an allergic reaction of the skin of the perianal area
    • Consequences of perinatal injuries of the nervous system
    • Rickets, vitamin D deficiency
    • Anemia
    • Impaired thyroid function (deficiency - hypothyroidism)
    • Food allergy, especially cow's milk protein allergy
    • Forced potty training, period of adaptation to new conditions (nursery, kindergarten)
    • Physical inactivity - a sedentary lifestyle
    • Mental trauma or stress
    • Systematic suppression of the urge to empty the bowels, associated, for example, with the beginning of attending a kindergarten, school, etc.
    • Taking certain drugs
    • Constipation in family members

    Frequency of defecation in children of different ages

    Age Number of bowel movements per week Number of bowel movements per day
    0 – 3 months
    breastfeeding
    artificial feeding
    5 - 40
    5 - 20
    2.9
    2.0
    6 - 12 months 5 - 28 1.8
    1 - 3 years 4-21 1.4
    4 years and older 3 - 14 1.0

    In addition to the frequency of the chair, you should pay attention to its nature. For a more objective assessment, the “Bristol fecal shape scale” is convenient, since it is the shape of the feces, and not the frequency of the stool, that is more consistent with the time of intestinal transit.

    Bristol stool chart

    In accordance with this scale, 3 and 4 form of feces is regarded as normal, and 1 and 2 indicate delayed transit (constipation). Quite often, in practice, there are situations when a child has a bowel movement frequency within the normal range, but the stool is dense, fragmented, in a meager amount. These signs indicate incomplete emptying of the bowels and are considered as manifestations of constipation.

    The consistency of the stool in newborns and infants should be mushy. From 6 months to 1.5 - 2 years, feces can be both formalized and mushy. From the age of two, the chair must be decorated.

    Signs and symptoms of constipation

    • abdominal pain, often bursting, aching, sometimes colicky
    • bloating
    • change in the shape and consistency of the stool
    • excessive flatulence
    • unpleasant smell of flatus and stool
    • may have pain during bowel movements
    • straining during bowel movements
    • there may be blood in the stool - on the surface of the feces or in the form of traces on a napkin (indicates an anal fissure)
    If you do not eliminate constipation and do not establish bowel movements, then there is a risk of coprostasis (formation of fecal stones) and fecal intoxication:
    • loss of appetite
    • lack of energy
    • general malaise
    • depression, irritability
    • nausea, vomiting
    • skin symptoms - dryness, rash, peeling
    • fecal incontinence, stool spotting
    • urinary retention and incontinence due to pressure from a crowded bowel on the bladder
    • bleeding from fissures, hemorrhoids

    The treatment of constipation involves the following goals:

    1. Normalization of stool consistency (soft, painless stools)

    2. Regularity of bowel movements (prevention of re-accumulation of feces)

    The treatment of constipation is a sequential, complex, individual process and consists of several stages:
    • child and parent education
    • correction of nutrition and drinking regimen
    • elimination of existing coprostasis with the help of medications
    • maintenance therapy

    It is necessary to exclude factors that provoke and contribute to constipation (normalization of motor and nutritional regimen, discontinuation of medications that can cause constipation, identification of a food allergen, exclusion or confirmation of neuromuscular disease, celiac disease, etc.).

    Lifestyle normalization includes:

    • development of a conditioned reflex
    • active lifestyle
    • gymnastics
    • light abdominal massage training
    • for small children - laying out on the stomach, bending the legs to the stomach.

    Education is the first step in the treatment of functional constipation. It must be remembered that episodes of fecal smearing and encopresis (fecal incontinence) are not arbitrary and should not be blamed on the child, who may already be frightened and disoriented. In some cases, when the intra-family situation is difficult, the help of a family psychologist may be needed.

    It is important to understand that the treatment of functional constipation can be lengthy, based on trust, partnership and requires patience. Modern laxatives that are legal in children will not make the intestines “lazy”, will not cause “addiction”, they enter the bloodstream in minimal amounts or are not absorbed at all and are safe for long-term use.

    Correction of the behavior of a child with constipation is based on the development of a routine of visiting the toilet, in order to achieve regular defecation. Defecation should be every time at the same time. The urge to defecate is based on the gastrocecal reflex, which manifests itself in the morning 1 hour after eating. A child with constipation needs to spend 3-10 minutes in the toilet (depending on age). It is necessary to plant the child on a potty or offer to visit the toilet after each meal.

    A prerequisite for effective defecation is to provide a good support for the legs (a low bench on which the child can put his feet), which helps to increase intra-abdominal pressure.

    If the defecation is not successful, the child should never be punished and vice versa. The daily frequency of bowel movements can be noted in a diary, which can be analyzed at a scheduled visit to the doctor.

    Treatment of constipation should begin with lifestyle changes, which include dietary modification, drinking regimen and physical activity.

    Calculation of fluid volume for healthy children

    Children under the age of 1 year should drink at least 100 ml of water per day.

    For healthy children weighing 10 to 20 kg the water requirement is calculated using the formula:

    100 ml (volume of water for children under 1 year old) + 50 ml per kg for body weight over 10 kg.

    For example, with a mass of 12 kg: 100 ml + 2 x 50 ml = 200 ml.

    A child weighing 20 kg should drink water: 100 ml + 50 x 10 = 600 ml

    For children weighing over 20 kg the following formula is suggested for calculation:

    600 ml (volume of water for a child weighing 20 kg) + 20 ml for each kg over 20 kg.

    For children over 3-5 years old you can use the calculation of the amount of water: 30ml / kg of weight

    Principles of diet therapy for constipation:

    • satisfaction of physical needs for nutrients and energy
    • exclusion of excessive consumption of proteins and fats, which can inhibit intestinal motility
    • enrichment of the diet with dietary fiber
    • normalization of intestinal microflora with pro- and prebiotics

    If the child is breastfed, then the mother's nutrition is corrected (restriction of products that promote gas formation). With artificial feeding, special mixtures are shown. For constipation associated with an allergy to cow's milk protein, therapeutic mixtures are prescribed if the child is bottle-fed. If the child is breastfed, cow's milk and products based on it are completely excluded from the mother's diet.

    After the introduction of “thick” complementary foods, boiled water is necessary for all children, regardless of the type of feeding.

    For older children, it is recommended to eat foods rich in vegetable fibers. It is not recommended to “smear food”, puree, “snacks”, “eating on the go”. Food should be crumbly, meat / poultry / fish - “piece”. A “bulk” breakfast is required to stimulate the “gastrocecal reflex”.

    The main source of coarse-fiber vegetable fiber, containing a large amount of dietary fiber, is cereal bran, rye bread, as well as a number of vegetables and fruits. According to the principles of evidence-based medicine, a statistically significant increase in stool frequency and improvement in its consistency was demonstrated with the use of fiber compared with placebo.

    Bran, as the main source of vegetable fiber, is recommended to be added to the second and third courses, after pouring boiling water over it and settling for 20 minutes. Bran can also be used in between meals, drinking plenty of fluids. For school-age children, the total amount of fluid when taking bran should be at least 1.5-2 liters per day, otherwise they mainly act as sorbents, absorbing fluid from the intestines, thereby increasing constipation. The dose is selected individually, it is recommended to start with 1 teaspoon 2-3 times a day, with a gradual increase to 40 g per day. When the effect is achieved, the dose is reduced and limited to one dose.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (2009) recommends a fiber intake of 0.5 g/kg/day (maximum 35 g/day) for all children. Fiber intake below the minimum recommended value has been shown to be a risk factor for chronic constipation in children.

    However, long-term intake of a large amount of plant fibers due to fermentation by intestinal microflora is naturally accompanied by bloating and flatulence.

    Children with constipation are shown to take cool liquids on an empty stomach (drinking and mineral water, juice, compotes, kvass), to enhance the laxative effect, it is possible to add honey, xylitol or sorbitol. It is very beneficial for bowel function to increase the intake of juices containing sorbitol/sorbitol, such as juice from plums, pears, apricots, peaches and apples,

    With “sluggish” bowel function (hypomotor constipation), cool mineral water of medium and high mineralization is used, such as Essentuki 17, Batalinskaya, Arzni, Donat Magnesium, etc.; with spastic constipation (hypermotor constipation, stool form more often type 1) - warm and low mineralization (Essentuki 4). Calculation of mineral water - 3-5 ml / kg per day.

    It is necessary to limit milk in its pure form and in dishes, as flatulence may occur with the appearance or intensification of abdominal pain. It is better to replace whole milk with sour-milk products - kefir, acidophilus, yogurt, yogurt, etc.

    The diet of children with constipation includes dishes rich in vegetable fiber - salads from fresh vegetables, greens 2-3 times a day, baked apples, stewed vegetables, diluted vegetable and fruit juices with pulp. Food is cooked mostly unground, steamed or boiled in water.

    It is preferable to take raw vegetables and fruits (in the absence of contraindications). Especially recommended are tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkin, carrots, beets, lettuce, cauliflower, apples. Dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots, figs) are given in soaked form and as part of cooked dishes. White cabbage, young green beans, green peas are allowed with good tolerance. Parsley, dill, celery are good to add to various dishes and salads.

    If after reading the article you still have questions or you do not understand how to apply the recommendations in your particular case, we invite you and your child to be examined by a pediatric gastroenterologist at the DDC. For the convenience of parents, you can make an appointment with a pediatric gastroenterologist at the Children's Diagnostic Center on a weekday and on Saturdays.
    We will be happy to help!

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    How to get rid of constipation at home, remedies for adults

    What is constipation

    Constipation is considered to be a stool retention for more than two days. This condition is also characterized by incomplete emptying of the intestines, accompanied by discomfort, changes in the consistency of feces and the need for excessive straining during bowel movements.

    Most often, constipation affects people who neglect the rules of a healthy diet and lead a sedentary lifestyle. Constipation is classified according to two criteria: etiology (cause) and pathogenesis (development mechanism).

    According to the etiology, constipation is divided into:

    • Primary. Occur as a result of congenital or acquired pathologies of the colon.
    • Secondary. They are the result of another disease, injury, as well as side effects of pharmacological drugs.
    • Idiopathic. Behind this definition lies the inability to find out the exact cause of the disruption of the intestines. Constipation with an unknown etiology is also called cryptogenic.

    Classification by pathogenesis:

    • Alimentary. It develops with a violation of the diet and a decrease in water consumption.
    • Mechanical. Caused by neoplasms in the large intestine. They can be both tumors and polyps or clots of lymph nodes, as well as adhesions or kinks.
    • Dyskinetic. It occurs due to a violation of intestinal motility, which became the result of nervous tension. This type of constipation is also called neurogenic.

    Symptoms of constipation

    Strictly speaking, constipation itself is a symptom or a side effect. At least, modern medicine does not consider it as an independent disease, although constipation is formally included in the list of diseases according to ICD-10. If we talk about concomitant manifestations (not to be confused with the criteria), then they include:

    • a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the lower abdomen and in the rectum;
    • decreased appetite;
    • prostration, irritability, depression;
    • bloating, flatulence;
    • sensation of incomplete emptying of the bowels.

    When to see a doctor?

    Episodic constipation should not cause undue concern. Often the reason lies in malnutrition, stress or a change of scenery (moving, business trips, etc.), and the elimination of provoking factors solves the problem. However, if constipation continues regularly, this may indicate a health problem, so in such a situation, a visit to a gastroenterologist should not be postponed.

    Particular attention should be paid to this problem for pregnant women, since excessive straining is contraindicated for them. In addition, constipation is fraught with the development of intoxication of the body, which is also completely useless for a pregnant woman.

    People who are prone to gastrointestinal diseases should also consider increasing constipation as a signal from the body that the course of the disease is aggravating. Therefore, one should not expect that the problem will be solved by itself - in such situations, the help of a doctor is necessary.

    Where constipation comes from

    Stool retention occurs periodically in all people, regardless of age, gender and political views. Constipation can occur for a variety of reasons. Let's consider them in more detail.

    Stress

    Any situations associated with nervous tension can cause stool retention, since the nervous system regulates all vital processes in the body, including intestinal motility. Stress can have an unpredictable effect on digestive function, since the human gut contains an extensive network of neurons that communicate with the central nervous system.

    This is why situations of emotional discomfort, whether it be a minor domestic conflict or chronic work-related stress, can lead to constipation. We should also mention the change of scenery: very often problems of this kind arise when moving to a new place of residence or in field conditions.

    Pregnancy

    In pregnant women, constipation occurs quite often for several reasons at once:

    • In the first half of pregnancy, a change in the hormonal background occurs, as a result of which the synthesis of progesterone increases. This hormone reduces the tone of the uterus and helps to avoid premature birth. However, it also weakens the tone of smooth muscles, thereby worsening intestinal motility.
    • Around the end of the second trimester, the ever-increasing uterus puts pressure on the rectum, which also impedes peristalsis and leads to regular stool retention.
    • Influence of medicines. Many women during pregnancy are prescribed antispasmodics, as well as iron and calcium supplements. One of the side effects of these medicines is hardening of the feces and weakening of intestinal motility.

    Here you can add a decrease in motor activity, stress and severe toxicosis.

    Sedentary lifestyle

    Despite the fact that the skeletal muscles are of the striated type, and the muscles of the intestine are of the smooth type, there is a close relationship between their activity. In other words, the less a person moves, the greater the risk of developing constipation. Sedentary work and low physical activity are almost guaranteed to lead to stool retention.

    Lack of fluid

    In people who consume insufficient amounts of water, the production of digestive juices decreases. In addition, the feces become too dry and hard, which makes it difficult for them to move through the intestines.

    Unbalanced diet

    Constipation can be provoked not only by a lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet, but also by the consumption of muffins, large amounts of meat, rice, smoked and fatty foods. In addition, the lack of the habit of eating at the same time, evenly distributing the amount of food for each meal, also contributes to impaired intestinal motility.

    A sedentary lifestyle and an unbalanced diet can lead to stool problems. Photo: peoplecreations / freepik.com

    Treatment of constipation

    When choosing methods of treating constipation, the doctor first of all focuses on eliminating the causes that caused this condition. Treatment should be complex, but regardless of its main course, all patients should increase physical activity, adjust the diet and consume at least one and a half to two liters of water per day. Treatment methods can be grouped into groups, which we will discuss below.

    Physiotherapy

    In the treatment of constipation, physiotherapy methods are used as adjunctive therapy. It should be noted that the expediency of using some of them is the subject of controversy and discussion in science. Far from all modern medical recommendations can find such information.

    • Abdominal massage. It is assumed that this method helps to improve intestinal motility and relieve spasm. Predominantly sparing pressing and stroking movements are used, which are performed strictly clockwise.
    • Electrical impulse therapy. Due to the use of electrical impulses, the contractile function of the smooth muscles of the intestine improves, which is especially important for atonic constipation.
    • Inductothermy. It is usually used for spastic neurogenic constipation, as well as for inflammatory processes in the intestines that provoke stool retention. The essence of the method is the application of a high-frequency electromagnetic field.
    • Electrophoresis with novocaine. Gauze tissue moistened with novocaine solution is placed on the patient's lumbar region. Due to the impact of direct or pulsed electric current, the drug enters through the skin to the lumbar nerve plexuses. The procedure is relatively painless - the patient feels only a slight tingling sensation.

    Special mention should be made of such methods as acupressure (shiatsu), acupuncture (acupuncture), aromatherapy and other branches of Far Eastern folk medicine. At the end of the last century, these techniques were widely advertised by various medical charlatans as a universal remedy for almost any disease. Currently, their popularity is gradually fading away, and so far there has been no evidence of the effectiveness of such techniques.

    It is important to understand that from the point of view of modern medicine, stimulation and piercing of various points on the body, supposedly responsible for improving bowel function, have no proven clinical effectiveness. At best, the patient can expect a placebo effect.

    Phytotherapy

    As an alternative to pharmacological preparations, herbal remedies with a laxative effect can be used. However, it is not recommended to choose them on your own, because if used incorrectly or unjustified, they will do more harm than good.

    Some herbs have antispasmodic, others irritate the nerve endings of the intestines. The use of such effects should be related to the cause of constipation, and only the attending physician can understand it. Among the most common herbal remedies for constipation are licorice root, senna, buckthorn and oregano - decoctions are prepared from them. In addition, pharmacies sell ready-made laxatives. It should also be remembered that any laxatives with prolonged use (2 weeks or more) are addictive.

    Herbal remedies for constipation should be used with caution. Photo: CUNDO / Depositphotos

    Medications

    If we disassemble laxatives aimed directly at eliminating constipation, they can be divided into several groups.

    Prebiotics

    This group of drugs does not give a quick laxative effect, since it is aimed at normalizing the composition of the intestinal microflora - this requires a certain time. In essence, prebiotics are a breeding ground for lacto- and bifidobacteria, without which the intestines cannot function normally. The main active ingredients of prebiotics are inulin and lactulose. They are poorly digested, and therefore reach the intestines almost unchanged, contributing to the growth of beneficial microflora.

    Osmotic laxatives

    These drugs provide quick relief from constipation, but are recommended for acute stool retention. Osmotic laxatives may also be given to the patient to cleanse the bowel prior to diagnostic procedures. The drugs of this group contribute to the accumulation of fluid in the intestine, which creates the osmotic pressure necessary for normal defecation. Osmotic laxatives are made on the basis of macrogol, lactitol and magnesium sulfate.

    Prokinetics

    Preparations of this group improve peristalsis by improving the excitability of intestinal receptors. As a result, propulsive activity and motility of the gastrointestinal tract improves. It is not recommended to take such drugs on your own, as they can disrupt the heart rhythm. The active components of the prokinetics are itopride hydrochloride, domperidone and metoclopramide.

    Lubricants

    The laxative effect of this group of drugs is achieved due to the lubricating effect: the feces soften and their passage through the intestines improves. Lubricants are available both for oral administration (linseed and mineral oil) and for rectal administration in the form of suppositories (with glycerin or sodium docusate).

    Stimulant laxatives

    Preparations based on bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate improve peristalsis due to irritant action. They are considered second-line drugs because they cause rapid addiction, contributing to the development of the so-called lazy bowel syndrome. In addition, the irritant effect is associated with side effects such as cramping abdominal pain or diarrhea.

    Antispasmodics

    Used only for spastic constipation. Most often, preparations based on drotaverine and bendazole are used, which relieve spasm of the smooth muscles of the intestine and contribute to its relaxation. In other forms of constipation, these drugs can cause the opposite effect.

    Nutritionist. Photo: IgorVetushko / Depositphotos

    Nutrition and lifestyle correction

    You need to learn how to eat not only right, but also in a timely manner. The intervals between meals should be approximately equal. The same applies to the distribution of its volume throughout the day. What does it look like in practice?

    Since the middle of the last century, many people in Russia have been accustomed to have breakfast in a hurry, and during the lunch break with a dry sandwich to interrupt their appetite. At the same time, during dinner, “compensate” for malnutrition during the day with an abundance of food, consuming the first, second and dessert at one time. Unfortunately, this is not the healthiest eating style.

    Another suggestion is to prohibit eating after a certain time of day. However, the secret to maintaining a healthy weight lies not at all in evening fasting, but in the correct distribution of the balance of nutrients throughout the day, as well as in physical activity.

    Overeating at night is really bad, especially when it comes to food rich in complex carbohydrates. However, there is no need to torture yourself with hunger: lean meat in combination with whole grain bread and vegetables or cottage cheese with kefir not only stimulate normal digestion, but also help maintain normal weight.

    To ensure normal intestinal motility, you should eat at least three times a day, and preferably at the same time. If possible, it is better to eat fractionally, in small portions, about 4-5 times a day. To do this, you can either take a lunch box with you to work or study, or have lunch in the dining room.

    It is important to ensure at least minimal physical activity. The work of a large number of modern people is associated with a long stay in a sitting position. This negatively affects intestinal motility. But you can find some time for physical activity. For example, you can replace taking the elevator with walking up the stairs, and public transport with walking. Perhaps this will slightly increase the travel time, but the result is worth it - in addition to intestinal motility, walking improves sleep and overall well-being.

    It is very useful to perform physical exercises, working out the legs, shoulder girdle and abdominal muscles. This is best done in the gym, but there are plenty of exercises that are easy to do at home. It is more effective to spend an extra hour exercising or walking than to spend the same time every day agonizing in the toilet.

    You should also develop the habit of emptying the bowels at the same time of day and not create the need to regularly suppress the urge to defecate that appears at the wrong time.

    Regular suppression of the urge to empty the bowels reduces the reflexes of the rectum, ensuring a normal bowel movement.

    We should also mention the bad habit of eating dry food, which affects not only students, but also office workers who are embarrassed to take lunch boxes with them or go to the canteen. You can also add more liquid foods, such as soups, to your diet.

    Folk remedies

    Most of the folk methods aimed at the treatment of constipation, one way or another associated with the intake of any products or decoctions. Below we have outlined a range of foods that can help relieve the symptoms of constipation and support its prevention.

    What to eat for constipation

    Source: freepik.com/natali-ploskaya

    When constipation occurs, there is no need to rush to buy a laxative. The first thing to do is to rethink your diet. Is there enough fiber in the diet? Fiber is the part of plant foods that the body cannot break down. When eating fiber-rich foods, the extra mass of dietary fiber helps keep stools soft and speeds up digestion.

    All plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans, contain fiber. Dietician recommends consuming 25 grams of fiber per day for women and up to 38 grams for men. After 50 years, its amount can be reduced to 21 grams for women and 30 grams for men. The percentage of fiber content is indicated in table No. 1.

    Table No. 1. The percentage of fiber in various products.
    Wheat bran 43.5 Oatmeal 6.0
    Flax seeds 27.2 Carrot 3.2
    Sprouted wheat 17.0 Broccoli 3.0
    Almond 15.0 Cabbage 2.9
    Green peas 12.0 Apples 2.0
    Prunes 9.5 White potatoes 1.8
    Hazelnut 9.0 White rice 0.8
    Beans 7. 0 Grapefruit 0.5

    If during the day you can not get the required amount of fiber from fruits and vegetables, you can compensate for its lack by eating granulated bran: 40-50 grams per day will be enough. At the same time, it is important to drink them with a sufficient amount of water, because otherwise they will enter the intestines in the form of dry food boluses. The author of The Charming Gut, Julia Enders, recommends drinking at least 2.5 liters of water a day, but you need to focus primarily on your own thirst. For some people, one and a half liters of purified water per day is enough (which, by the way, is also not so little), while others are able to drink all three. At the same time, of course, it must be remembered that the diet is only part of the treatment program prescribed by the doctor. What foods should be consumed?

    Prunes

    We all heard from childhood that prunes help with constipation. The laxative effect is due to the fact that prunes have a moderate choleretic effect, and also suppresses the activity of opportunistic intestinal microflora, thereby normalizing the intestinal biocenosis. It is used both in the form of dried fruits and for the preparation of decoctions.

    Plums and plum juice

    As in the case of prunes, the laxative effect of plums and plum juice is due to their choleretic and antibacterial properties. When they enter the intestines, they retain moisture and increase osmotic pressure, which stimulates peristalsis.

    Kefir

    Kefir improves the balance of intestinal microflora due to the high content of lacto- and bifidobacteria. However, it should be borne in mind that with a tendency to constipation, you should drink only fresh kefir - it is he who has a laxative effect. Two-or three-day kefir gives the opposite effect.

    Olive oil

    The mechanism of action of olive oil in constipation is simple: it envelops the intestinal wall and softens the stool, thereby improving peristalsis. As we already know, such products are lubricants. Usually one spoon on an empty stomach is enough to eliminate stool retention.

    Baked apples

    Apples contain digestive-friendly ingredients such as pectin, sorbitol, lactulose and cellulose. For constipation, it is advisable to eat apples both raw and baked, but remember that more is not better. Eating more than 3 apples a day can cause bloating, which can backfire and aggravate constipation. Baked apples cause less gas formation, so this option is considered more gentle.

    Red beetroot

    Beetroot contains a large amount of hemicellulose, which is poorly digested, but is completely eliminated from the body. Due to the slight irritating effect of undigested fibers, intestinal motility improves. In addition, polysaccharides in dietary fiber act as a prebiotic, being a nutrient medium for beneficial intestinal microflora.

    Lemon juice and warm water

    Some sources recommend drinking lemon juice diluted in warm water for constipation. However, no one has yet provided a convincing justification for its effectiveness in stool retention: supporters of the use of this recipe operate with general phrases from the series "effectively stimulates digestion" or "quickly eliminates congestion in the intestines. "

    Lemon juice does have a number of health benefits, but academic and nutritional literature does not mention the benefits of lemon for constipation. In addition, it should be remembered that in a number of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, lemon is contraindicated. Of course, you can try to agree on the appropriateness of using this prescription with your doctor, but the gastroenterologist will almost certainly not approve of this idea.

    Flax seeds

    Since flax seeds contain a large amount of dietary fiber, and they themselves, with sufficient water intake, increase in volume and stimulate intestinal motility, their use for constipation is quite common. It is important to know the nature of stool retention, since such a prescription is contraindicated with mechanical constipation.

    Figs

    Figs contain a large amount of dietary fiber that stimulates peristalsis. Pectin softens feces, due to which a mild laxative effect is achieved.

    Water

    Constipation really often occurs due to insufficient water intake - with its lack in the body, the feces become excessively hard and dense, and this significantly complicates their movement through the intestines. Taking one and a half to three liters of water per day (it is advisable to agree on the exact amount with your doctor) improves intestinal motility and the production of gastric juice.

    Save yourself a leaflet with products that help with constipation.

    Source: MedPortal

    Prevention

    To prevent constipation, the following recommendations should be followed: