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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How do I help my 9 yr old who suffers from constipation?

    Related Topics
    Digestive Health Nutrition
    My 9 yr old suffers with constipation. we have been to the doctors and they have tested her poo, wee and blood and all came back okay. They gave her some movicol junior to take for 3 months but it dosnt seem to be working and she gets really bad stomach cramps. Is there anything you can suggest i can do to help her, I feel her diet is good she has fresh fruit and vegtables on a daily basis and she drinks plenty of water
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    Dr Beau Woods

    Chiropractor

    Dr Beau Woods Chiropractor BSc. BChiro (Murdoch)Special interests; Postural correction, family care, spine related disorders, fibromyalgia & motor vehicle injuries. View Profile

    When other pathology has been ruled out as in this case and there is no obvious dietary cause an evaluation by a chiropractor is an option.
    I would also consider a good quality probiotic.

    “The successful chiropractic care of pediatric patients with chronic constipation: A case study and selective review of the literature,” Clinical Chiropractic (2008) 11, 138-147.
    Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/029164_chiropractic_digestive_disorders.html#ixzz23kM3FCdl

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    Peta Adams

    Dietitian

    I am an Accredited Practising Dietitian locally born and working within the Riverina.I have a passion for helping people to achieve their nutrition goals, coaching … View Profile

    As Dr Woods has eluded to, once all necessary pathology has been done, diet intervention would be the next line of investigation.

    Has your child had coeliac serology/genetic testing, Iron, B12, Vitamin D?
    Does the cramping accompany any particular meals/foods? Do they ahve any additional symptoms. eg eczema, headaches, fatigue.

    Constipation can be caused by many factors and in children can be a difficult problem to manage. Some children suffer from anxious bowel where they ahve had negative experiences with laxatioon the past and hold onto their stools causing compaction of the bowel. Other dietary factors that can cause constipation is food intolerance to wheat, dairy, food chemicals (salciylates, amines, glutamates) or simply inadeqaute soluble/insolube fibres.
    Fruit and vegetables are not the only sources of fibre, high fibre cereal foods (cereals, bread, high fibre pasta), legumes, nuts/seeds also contribute a significant amount of both fibre types in the diet and often in more concetrated forms.


    I would recommend contacting a local Accredited Practising Dietitian to assist manage your childs condition. 

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    Dr Ryan Hislop

    Chiropractor

    Ryan Hislop is the Clinical Director at the Orange Chiropractic Health and Wellness Centre. As an experienced and evidence-based diagnostician, Ryan works largely by medical … View Profile

    From a Chiropractic perspective, as previously mentioned there have been case studies in non pathological cases that have seen improvements in their symptoms. 

    In practice we have also found that using an integrated approach has helped many sufferers. 

    It is of course important to rule out any pathological cause, although the majority of constipation sufferes do not appear to have a life threatening condition. 

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  • Maria Nguyen

    HealthShare Member

    I am not a doctor, but it seems like diet would be your best bet. I recommend you to contact a dietician to check your daugher's diet. How long has your daughter  been constipated? Also, has your daughter started her period yet? I know 9 years old is pretty early, but kids grow up faster now. When my period started when I was 11 years old, I was constipated for a few weeks before it. 

    "Help your loved ones
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  • Anonymous

    I found porridge to be helpful, also kiwi fruit. There is a good fibre supplement called Benefibre which you stir into liquids. It is much more palatable than something like Metamucil. Maybe encourage more exercise but this may be painful if she has compacted bowel. Heat packs help with stomach cramps. Try gently massaging her stomach where the bowel is, in the direction it works. From her right side near inside of hip bone, up to bottom of ribs, under ribs to her left side and down to inside of hip bone. Maybe look up diagram to see where the bowel is. Things move through it in a clockwise direction.


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