encopresis & constipation

[Guest guest]

FYI, from Web MD:

 

 

<<What Causes Encopresis?

 

The most common cause of encopresis is chronic (long-term) constipation, the

inability to release stools from the bowel. This may occur for several reasons,

including stress, not drinking enough water (which makes the stools hard and

difficult to pass) and pain caused by a sore in or near the anus (the opening of

the rectum in the fold between the buttocks, where waste is expelled).

 

 

 

When a child is constipated, a large mass of feces develops, which stretches the

rectum. This stretching dulls the nerve endings in the rectum, and the child may

not feel the need to go to the bathroom or know that waste is coming out. The

mass of feces also can become impacted -- too large or too hard to pass without

pain. Eventually, the muscles that keep stool in the rectum can no longer hold

it back. Although the large, hard mass of feces cannot pass, loose or liquid

stool may leak around the impacted mass and onto the child's clothing.>>

 

 

 

As I mentioned before, my daughter suffers from this despite having a high fiber

vegetarian diet, so while it can help, it's not always the sole solution.

 

 

 

Liz