Laxatives for children: the best remedies for constipation

The problem of constipation is not spared by either adults or children. The occurrence of an ailment in children is associated with an unformed digestive system.

All children are different, different metabolic rates and all processes in the body. For the correct identification of the disease, you need to understand, is there constipation? Below are the established emptying rates for children of different ages:

• Newborns. Up to four months of age, an infant may have repeated bowel movements up to eight times in 24 hours. The feces are liquid, unformed.
• 4 months - 2 years. The rate is 1-3 times in 24 hours. Feces are denser, the presence of a special smell.
• Nursery age (2-4 years). A healthy bowel is emptied once or twice a day. The digestive system has matured.
• Preschool children (4-6 years old). The rate is once or twice every 24 hours and once every 48 hours.

It is necessary to talk about the presence of constipation if there is a deviation from the norm for at least 2 days.

Complaints of abdominal pain in a child, crying, naughty, cannot go to the toilet - this is constipation. If the baby is weak, lethargic and has a headache, this is an intoxication of the body due to stagnation of feces.

In infants who are on artificial feeding, the basis of the disease lies:

• in a mixture that is not suitable for the baby;
• not enough water;
• pathological obstruction of the rectum.

In newborns who are breastfeeding, constipation is less common, since everything depends on the mother's milk.

The reasons for the difficult emptying of the intestinal tract in children under 7 years of age and school age are associated with:

• With the wrong food.
• With insufficient motor activity.
• With stressful situations at home, at school.
• With the postponement of going to the toilet. Desires go, but the baby suffers, this leads to disruption of the digestive tract.
• With side effects after taking medications.

The reasons for the disruption in the work of digesting food can be more serious: improper development of a thick intestines, dysbiosis, impaired metabolism, inflammatory processes with possible surgical intervention. Recurrent constipation, pain during bowel movements, a special smell, blood, pus - a reason to see a doctor.

How laxatives work

For constipation in children, laxatives of one of two types are prescribed - synthetic and phytopreparations. They are purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, but the admission should be controlled, since they are not safe.

According to the effect on the gastrointestinal tract, drugs are divided into groups:

• Irritates the mucous membrane of the tract. The medicine starts working in two hours. There is a stimulation of the excretion of feces accumulated in the intestine.
• Retain fluid in the intestine. Water is drawn into the organ and softens the accumulation of feces, then defecation occurs.
• Serves as a filler. Being in the digestive system, they increase in size, expand the passage, which is filled with water, and the feces are easier to leave through the anal passage.
• They act in the small intestine. Contains oil. Create conditions for the sliding of feces inside the intestine. Defecation occurs after five hours.

Synthetic medicines

These drugs are made up of chemical ingredients. Aimed at the absorption of fluid from the body and accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract. However, such drugs have serious side effects: colic, effects on the liver, kidneys, and allergic reactions.

Synthetic drugs are sold in a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription:

• Bisacodyl is a drug that acts in the small intestine. Available in the form of tablets, pills and suppositories. Allowed for use by children over 2 years of age. Long-term administration of the medication is undesirable.
• Guttalax - the action of the drug is aimed at irritating the mucous membrane, the resulting lumen is filled with liquid, and the feces freely exit through the anal passage. Do not use for children under 4 years of age. The released form is drops. Taking the medicine in the evening will test positive in the morning.

Phytopreparations

Medicines created from herbal ingredients. The effective effect of the drugs is aimed at gently removing stagnation from the rectum, without harming the child.

• Regulax. An herbal laxative aimed at irritating the intestinal mucosa. Under the action of the drug, the tract begins to move and constipation is eliminated. The result comes after 10-12 hours. Available in droplets and gummies for children over 4 years old.
• Duphalac. The drug is based on natural dietary fiber. Release type - syrup. Lactulose, entering the digestive system, has a beneficial effect on organ peristalsis. Promotes the retention of fluid inside the organ and, by softening the feces, promotes it to the exit. The drug is not absorbed by the body, quickly reaches the destination and is excreted along with the feces. The kid should take duphalac once a day - in the morning, on an empty stomach.

Different medications are prescribed for children of different ages. There are drugs that are prescribed after 12 years, there are for newborns. Each medicine has side effects that determine the possibility of taking it in each case.

Laxatives for babies

The pharmaceutical industry produces products for infants in the form of syrups, enemas and suppositories. The baby is prescribed medication for constipation as a last resort.

Rectal suppositories

Candles for a child under 2 years old are divided into two groups: glycerin and gas-forming. The capsules act locally, are not absorbed into the bloodstream and do not harm the baby.

Glycerin candlesgetting into the intestines, they make the feces softer and, irritating the intestinal mucosa, help to easily and painlessly remove the collected waste. The glycerin contained in the preparation has an effect on the walls of the rectum, irritating them, forcing them to contract and excrete feces faster. Use 1 candle per day after 20 minutes after eating.

The second type is fast-acting suppositories with the effect of gas formation in the rectum. Once inside, sodium bicarbonate forms carbon dioxide. The bubbles cause the walls of the organ to contract and push the stool towards the exit.

Before using, be sure to consult a doctor. Store candles in the refrigerator.

Syrups and enemas

Before purchasing a baby laxative, you need to make sure that it is suitable for age and composition. Instructions for use must be attached to the medicine.

• Prelax. The drug contains a disaccharide used for gastrointestinal disorders. Lactulose (disaccharide) does not exist in nature, it is the result of the synthesis of lactose from dairy waste. Helps the intestines restore rectal peristalsis. A drug with a disaccharide can be used to prevent constipation in children. It is not addictive with prolonged use.
• Duphalac. Produced on a natural basis from milk whey. Available in syrup form. Approved from birth. The effect after administration occurs in 12 hours. It normalizes not only the motor functions of the gastrointestinal tract, but also the local microflora.
• Microlax. A good fast-acting remedy for constipation is micro enema. Helps babies to quickly cope with constipation, the treatment is painless. The composition includes a solution of sorbitol, glycerin, sorbitol, sodium citrate. They saturate the stool with fluid and quickly empty the intestines.

Laxatives for children 3-7 years old

For preschool children, a children's laxative is produced in the form of candles, tablets, syrups, powders.

Best universal remedy for constipation - suppositories that begin to act directly in the intestine, and the feces are excreted within an hour. The pharmaceutical industry produces candles for children: calciolax, rhubarb candles, ferrolax.

Pill laxatives are rarely used. Causes:

• children from one year old and preschool age have difficulty taking pills;
• the action of the drug is aimed at irritating the organ wall, the result is expected in 1.5-2 hours.

Children are more willing to drink syrups and suspensions. The positive effect occurs much earlier than when taking pills. You can add it to juice or compote, and the baby will not even notice. The powders are diluted with pure water, juice or compote, and a suspension is obtained, which the baby will drink with pleasure and will not suffer from the absence of a chair.